Top 5 Lakes around Gilcrux

Around Gilcrux, you'll find a mix of artificial fishing ponds within the village itself, such as the Gilcrux Trout Fishing Ponds, and stunning natural lakes within a short drive in the Lake District National Park. These range from large, tranquil bodies of water like Bassenthwaite Lake to smaller, secluded ones like Loweswater and dramatic fells-flanked lakes like Crummock Water.

Yes, several lakes near Gilcrux are great for families. Bassenthwaite Lake offers accessible trails and wildlife viewing, particularly ospreys. Buttermere has an easy, scenic path around the lake suitable for all ages. The Gilcrux Trout Fishing Ponds are also family-friendly, offering fishing and a chance to see ducks, geese, and goats.

Bassenthwaite Lake is a haven for wildlife, known for its ospreys (visible from Dodd Wood between April and August) and rare vendace fish. The reed beds and marshland around it support diverse birdlife. Loweswater is also home to red squirrels, and the View of Bassenthwaite Lake from Wythop Woods is a good spot to see roe deer and badgers.

For a tranquil escape, Loweswater is an excellent choice. It's a peaceful, smaller lake nestled in a wooded valley, generally less frequented by tourists than some other Lake District lakes. Crummock Water is also less crowded than its neighbor Buttermere, offering unspoiled beauty.

Buttermere is often voted as having some of the best views in Britain, with its clear waters surrounded by majestic fells. Crummock Water also offers dramatic scenery with steep fells flanking its clear waters. For panoramic views over Bassenthwaite Lake, consider the View of Bassenthwaite Lake from Wythop Woods.

Yes, Buttermere is a popular spot for wild swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking (with permits). Bassenthwaite Lake also allows kayaking, paddleboarding, and wild swimming. For a wider range of watersports, including water skiing and boat rentals, Windermere is the largest lake in England and offers many options, though it's about a 30-mile drive from Gilcrux.

There are numerous hiking opportunities. A popular 4-mile circuit walk around Loweswater passes through Holme Wood to Holme Force waterfall. Buttermere offers an easy and scenic path around the lake. For more options, you can explore various routes in the area, including those listed in the Hiking around Gilcrux guide.

Absolutely. The Gilcrux Trout Fishing Ponds are artificial ponds stocked with brown and rainbow trout, offering both fly fishing and bait fishing. Crummock Water also allows fishing, and Bassenthwaite Lake is home to the rare vendace fish, though specific fishing regulations apply.

Yes, the area around Bassenthwaite Lake includes Mirehouse, an 18th-century house with literary connections to poets like Tennyson and Wordsworth. Buttermere also has historical significance, including mining heritage and Viking settlements, and was Alfred Wainwright's chosen final resting place on Haystacks.

The region offers various cycling routes. For example, the Solway Coast Cycleway passes by coastal features like View Across the Irish Sea. You can find more detailed routes for different cycling types in the Cycling around Gilcrux guide and the Road Cycling Routes around Gilcrux guide.

Bassenthwaite Lake is unique for being the only body of water officially named a 'lake' in the Lake District (most others are 'waters' or 'meres'). It's also known for its tranquil, wildlife-rich environment, particularly its ospreys, and for being relatively shallow at 70 feet deep. Motorized boats are not permitted, preserving its calm atmosphere.

Crummock Water is fed by Scale Force, which is the highest waterfall in the Lake District, boasting a main drop of 170 feet. The walk to Scale Force is a rewarding experience from Crummock Water.