Two lakes, one waterfall, Wainwright's favourite fell and some of the best wild swimming in England. Buttermere is small. It is perfect.
The western Lakes hub
Buttermere is one of the most complete day-out destinations in the Lake District — and one of the smallest. The hamlet sits between two lakes, Buttermere and Crummock Water, in a deep glacial valley ringed by some of the finest fells in the western Lakes. There is one pub, two hotels, one car park and no shop. That lack of infrastructure is exactly the point.
The Buttermere circular walk is the headline attraction — a flat, complete circuit of the lake that ranks among the best easy walks in England. Above the valley, Scale Force tumbles 40 metres as Cumbria's highest waterfall, and Haystacks rises to the south-east — Alfred Wainwright's favourite fell and his final resting place. The lake itself offers some of the most accessible wild swimming in the country, straight from the shore.
Whether you've come for a gentle lakeside stroll, a serious ridge walk, a cold-water swim or a pint at the Fish Inn looking up at the fells, Buttermere rewards an early start. Arrive before the car park fills and you'll have one of the great Lake District valleys close to yourself.
Cold water, clear water
Buttermere is a wild swimming capital — three distinct spots, from an easy shoreline swim to a cold plunge beneath Cumbria's highest waterfall.
Direct access from the car park. A shallow shelf that warms quickly in summer — the most accessible open water swim in the western Lakes.
Above the lake on the fell path towards Scale Force. Natural pools, cold year round, and far quieter than the lake shore.
At the base of the 40-metre waterfall. Cold even in August, in an extraordinary setting. For confident cold-water swimmers.
Travel styles
Tap a style for hand-picked Buttermere ideas for your group.
1.75 miles flat along the lower path — pram-friendly and easy for little legs.
View on Google MapsShallow, sandy entry — safe for children in summer, straight from the car park.
Manageable for children 7+ with good footwear, 30 minutes each way to the waterfall.
View on Google MapsThe most low-key attraction in the Lakes — and the kids will love it.
On foot
Four routes — the easy lake classic, Wainwright's fell, the waterfall walk, and the big ridge.
The town classic — start here
Distance
4.5 mi
Time
2–2.5 hrs
Grade
Easy
The most complete easy lake walk in the Lakes — a full circuit through woodland, open shore and a short tunnel cut through the rock. Dog friendly, pram-friendly on the eastern shore. Combine with the Crummock Water shore for a longer day.
Wainwright's favourite fell
Distance
4.5 mi
Time
3–4 hrs
Summit
597 m
Wainwright's favourite fell. The summit holds Innominate Tarn — where his ashes were scattered in 1991. The view back down to Buttermere is extraordinary. Dog friendly, but a proper fell walk: boots, map and weather sense required.
Cumbria's highest waterfall · 40 metres
Distance
3.5 mi
Time
1.5–2 hrs
Falls
40 m
Through woodland to Cumbria's highest waterfall at 40 metres — best after heavy rain, when it thunders. Can be combined with the Crummock Water shore for a longer day.
The classic Buttermere ridge
Distance
7 mi
Time
5–6 hrs
Grade
Challenging
The classic Buttermere ridge walk, with views of both lakes from above. One of the great high-level walks in the western Lakes — a full day on the tops.
Where to park
One car park, and the all-important trick of arriving before 9am on a summer day.
| Car park | Postcode | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttermere village (NT) | CA13 9XA | £6/day | The only car park. Full by 9:30am summer weekends |
| Honister Pass (limited) | CA12 5XN | Free | 2 miles away. Walk down or up to the village |
Eat & drink
One pub, one tea room, one hotel restaurant — and all three are worth it.
CA13 9XA. Buttermere's only pub and the most beautifully-situated in the western Lakes — it looks directly at the fell and the lake. Real ales, good food, dog-friendly. Open for lunch and dinner.
Basic refreshments, home-made ice cream and a sun-trap garden, directly in the village. Seasonal hours.
Hotel bar and restaurant — more formal than the Fish. A reliable spot for an evening meal after a day on the fells.
Where to stay
A handful of places in a tiny village — book well ahead for summer.
CA13 9UZ. The main hotel in the village — book well ahead for summer.
The village's second hotel — another comfortable base right in Buttermere.
CA13 9XA. Well-maintained hostel and the budget option — popular with walkers.
Several self-catering cottages and lodges in and around the village — check booking.com and Airbnb.
Free, no sign-up. Tell the planner your budget, transport and what you want from the day — it builds a timed itinerary that fits the weather and the parking.
Open the free Lakes PlannerCommon questions
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