Stonethwaite
Getting there, parking, where to stay and the fells you can walk straight from Stonethwaite.
Stonethwaite at a glance
Stonethwaite is a tiny, peaceful hamlet up a no-through side valley off Borrowdale, about seven miles south of Keswick on Stonethwaite Beck. It's one of the quietest and prettiest corners of the valley — a handful of farms and cottages, an inn, a campsite and a footbridge — hemmed in by craggy fells and famous as a Coast-to-Coast halt. The dairy farm here is old enough to have been fought over by medieval monks (Fountains Abbey held it from 1195), and the peace has barely been broken since.
For walkers it's a gem: the Langstrath valley runs deep into the hills behind, the bold prow of Eagle Crag guards its head, and the low waterfalls of Galleny Force — the so-called "Fairy Glen" — make a magical spot on a warm day. It's genuinely small, with no shop, so it's one for peace and quiet rather than bustle.
Quick facts
| Where | A side valley off Borrowdale, Cumbria — ~7 miles south of Keswick, on Stonethwaite Beck; civil parish of Borrowdale |
| How to say it | "STONE-thwaite" (the -thwaite ending is Old Norse for a clearing) |
| Famous for | A quiet Coast-to-Coast halt, the Langstrath walk, Eagle Crag and Galleny Force ("the Fairy Glen") |
| Getting there | Off the B5289 (turn at Rosthwaite); the 78 Borrowdale bus stops on the main road, a short walk in; no station |
| Parking | Very limited in the hamlet — better to park at Rosthwaite or take the 78 bus |
| Dogs / weather | Dog-friendly walking; a wet, green valley — check the live fell conditions before the tops |
Where is Stonethwaite?
Stonethwaite near Keswick, in the Lake District. Zoom and pan to explore.
Why visit Stonethwaite?
Stonethwaite is about peace, scenery and walking. It sits at the mouth of the Langstrath — one of the great quiet valleys of the Lakes, a long, wild glen that draws you deep into the hills — and it's a natural overnight on Wainwright's Coast to Coast, which climbs out over Greenup Edge towards Grasmere. Add Galleny Force, the rugged fells crowding the skyline, and the genuine away-from-it-all calm, and it rewards anyone after the quieter side of Borrowdale.
It's tiny, though: an inn, a campsite, a few beds and no shop. Come for the walking and the quiet; use Rosthwaite or Keswick for the rest.
Things to do
- Galleny Force ("the Fairy Glen") — a lovely set of low waterfalls and pools on the beck, a popular wild-swimming and paddling spot. It's unsignposted and the water is cold and can rise fast after rain — take real care, especially with children.
- The Langstrath valley — a beautiful, gentle walk up the quiet glen behind the hamlet, as far as you fancy.
- The Langstrath Inn — the hamlet's pub and the social heart of a walking day.
- The Coast to Coast — Stonethwaite is a classic stage; even a short way up Greenup gives a sense of the route.
Walks & fells from Stonethwaite
The walking is rugged and rewarding:
- Eagle Crag and neighbouring Sergeant's Crag — the bold crags guarding the head of the valley; a fine, steep little round.
- Great Crag and Dock Tarn — a lovely walk over to the hidden tarn, with the option to carry on to Watendlath.
- Glaramara, Rosthwaite Fell / Bessyboot and Ullscarf — the bigger fells ringing the valley.
- The Langstrath valley walk and the Coast to Coast over Greenup Edge toward Grasmere.
Check the live "Best Fells today" conditions before you head up. The Fells & walks nearby box below lists the closest summits with a full guide.
Fells & walks near Stonethwaite
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot
- Eagle Crag
- Great Crag (Stonethwaite)
- Sergeant's Crag
- Glaramara
- Castle Crag
Straight-line distances from the centre of Stonethwaite — the nearest summits with a full guide on this site.
All walks from Stonethwaite → — every route and fell within about 5 km, ranked, with today’s conditions.
Where to stay
The hamlet has an inn, a campsite and a few rooms. The Langstrath Country Inn has comfortable rooms as well as its bar and restaurant; there's bed-and-breakfast at farms such as Yew Tree Farmhouse, and Borrowdale cottages nearby.
Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite is the well-known riverside campsite — and worth knowing the recent history: it was closed for a spell (under previous arrangements, after problems with safety and the environment), and has reopened under new management for the 2026 season (bookings roughly late March to late September), with new rules (no guests' own fire pits; rentable campfire bundles instead). It changes from year to year, so check the official Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite site before you travel; the long-established Chapel House Farm Campsite nearby is a good alternative.
Food & drink
The Langstrath Country Inn is the hamlet's pub — meals, real ale and rooms, and the obvious place for an end-of-walk pint or dinner (check opening before a special trip). There's no shop in Stonethwaite, so stock up in Rosthwaite (half a mile away) or Keswick.
Getting there & parking
Stonethwaite lies off the B5289, up a short no-through lane signed from Rosthwaite, about seven miles south of Keswick. There's no railway station. Parking in the hamlet is very limited, so it's best to use the car park at Rosthwaite and walk the half-mile in, or take the 78 Borrowdale bus from Keswick — it stops on the main road by the Stonethwaite turn, leaving a short, level walk to the hamlet.
Practical & nearby
It's fine dog-walking country; facilities are minimal (no shop). Easy outings from Stonethwaite take in Rosthwaite (half a mile), Seatoller and Grange-in-Borrowdale, the Bowder Stone, Watendlath over the fell, and Keswick and Derwentwater down the valley.
Events & festivals
Planning a trip around a show or festival? See our Lake District events & festivals guide for what's on near Stonethwaite — traditional Lakeland sports, agricultural shows and seasonal events, month by month.
Frequently asked questions about Stonethwaite
Is the Stonethwaite campsite open?
Sources: Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite (official) (opens in new tab)
Why did the Stonethwaite campsite close?
Who runs the Stonethwaite campsite now?
Sources: Stonethwaite Farm & Campsite (official) (opens in new tab)
Where do you park in Stonethwaite?
How do you pronounce Stonethwaite?
Where is Galleny Force (the "Fairy Glen")?
What are some walks near Stonethwaite?
Is there a pub in Stonethwaite?
📚 Maps & guidebooks for Stonethwaite
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