Loweswater
Getting there, parking, where to stay and the fells you can walk straight from Loweswater.
Loweswater at a glance
Loweswater is the quiet one — a small, gentle National Trust lake at the far north-western edge of the District, notably uncrowded even when Buttermere is busy just over the watershed. It has two claims to fame worth the trip: a lovely flat ~4-mile circuit partly through the lakeshore woods of Holme Wood, and the geographical curiosity that it **drains *inward*** — away from the coast, back toward the heart of the Lakes. (And then there's the beer, but more on that below.) If you want a peaceful lake to walk round and swim in, away from the crowds, this is it.
Quick facts
| What it is | A small, quiet National Trust lake near the western edge of the District |
| The walk | A flat ~4-mile circuit, partly through Holme Wood on the south shore |
| Can you swim? | Yes — allowed, quiet and cold; usual care |
| The quirk | It drains inward — its outflow runs away from the coast, into Crummock Water |
| The name | Loweswater Gold beer takes its name from here (originated at the Kirkstile Inn) |
| Getting there | Lanes off the B5289 near Loweswater village / the Kirkstile Inn; west of Crummock |
Where is Loweswater?
Loweswater near Cockermouth, in the Lake District. Zoom and pan to explore — or see all the Lake District lakes & waters on one map.
The lake that drains inward
Here's Loweswater's party trick. Most Lakeland lakes shed their water toward the sea; Loweswater, sitting just outside the high fells, drains the "wrong" way — its outflow, Dub Beck, runs inward, away from the coast and into Crummock Water and the heart of the District. It's the distinctive fact locals love to point out, and it's true; we'll leave the full hydrology to the geographers, but that inland-flowing outlet is the genuinely unusual thing about this quiet little lake.
The walk round & swimming
The shoreline circuit is about 4 miles, flat and easy, and one of the prettiest gentle walks in the north-west Lakes — the southern shore runs through Holme Wood, a lovely stretch of National Trust lakeside woodland with a bothy and a tumbling beck. It's partly pram-friendly along the Holme Wood track, though it isn't a full step-free circuit, so don't promise yourself a buggy all the way round.
Swimming is allowed and Loweswater makes a quiet, cold swim — there are no lifeguards and the usual cold-water care applies, but unlike the drinking-water reservoirs there's no ban. NT-permit rowing is sometimes available; ask locally. See our Loweswater circuit route for the walk in detail.
Loweswater Gold & the Kirkstile Inn
A big share of Loweswater's searches are actually about the beer. Loweswater Gold is a popular golden ale that originated at the Kirkstile Inn — the much-loved village pub by the lake — and is now brewed by Cumbrian Legendary Ales (their brewery moved to the Hawkshead/Esthwaite side of the District). So the name is this village, even though it's no longer brewed lakeside. The Kirkstile Inn itself remains the obvious place to end a walk; we'll spare you the ABV minutiae and let you order one in person.
Is there a Wainwright called "Loweswater"?
No — there's no Wainwright fell called "Loweswater." The lake is ringed instead by a fine, quiet set of real Wainwrights and outliers: Mellbreak (the dark wall above the eastern shore), Hen Comb, Gavel Fell, Blake Fell and Burnbank Fell, with Carling Knott (an outlying fell) on the south side. They're some of the least-trodden tops in the District — check the live conditions, and see the Fells & walks nearby box below.
Getting there & parking
Loweswater is reached on lanes off the B5289 in the Buttermere/Lorton valley, from Cockermouth or over the passes from Keswick. There's roadside and small-car-park parking near Loweswater village and the Kirkstile Inn, plus a National Trust car park for Holme Wood / Maggie's Bridge — these are small, so come early and park considerately on the narrow lanes. It's one of the few corners of the Lakes with no big car park and few crowds, which is rather the point.
Fells & walks near Loweswater
Straight-line distances from the centre of Loweswater — the nearest summits with a full guide on this site.
All walks by Loweswater → — every route and fell within about 5 km, ranked, with today’s conditions.
Where to stay & practical
The Kirkstile Inn and farm B&Bs around Loweswater and Lorton make a peaceful base, with the full range of accommodation down in Cockermouth or over the passes in Keswick. Pair Loweswater with Crummock Water and Buttermere for a quiet three-lake valley, or just come for the rare thing it offers best: a beautiful lake with almost nobody on it. (On figures like maximum depth: it's a small, fairly shallow lake — we'd rather not quote a precise depth we can't verify.)
Events & festivals
Planning a trip around a show or festival? See our Lake District events & festivals guide for what's on near Loweswater — traditional Lakeland sports, agricultural shows and seasonal events, month by month.
Frequently asked questions about Loweswater
How long does it take to walk around Loweswater, and where do you park?
Can you swim in Loweswater?
Who brews Loweswater Gold and where is it brewed?
Is Loweswater Fell a Wainwright?
Why does Loweswater drain inward?
How deep is Loweswater, and is it a reservoir?
Is the Loweswater walk pram-friendly?
📚 Maps & guidebooks for Loweswater
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