Derwent Water
Encyclopedia
Derwentwater is one of the principal bodies of water in the Lake District National Park
in north west England
. It lies wholly within the Borough of Allerdale
, in the county of Cumbria
.
The lake
occupies part of Borrowdale
and lies immediately south of the town of Keswick
. It is both fed and drained by the River Derwent
. It measures approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long by 1 miles (1.6 km) wide and is some 72 feet (21.9 m) deep. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. Derwent Island House
, an 18th century residence, is a tenanted National Trust
property open to the public on five days each year.
Derwentwater is a place of considerable scenic value. It is surrounded by hills (known locally as fells), and many of the slopes facing Derwentwater are extensively wooded. A regular passenger launch operates on the lake, taking passengers between various landing stages. There are seven lakeside marinas, the most popular stops being: Keswick, Portinscale
and the Lodore Falls
, from which boats may be hired. Recreational walking is a major tourist activity in the area and an extensive network of footpaths exists within the hills and woods surrounding the lake.
The Keswick—Borrowdale road runs along the eastern shore of the lake and carries a regular bus service. There is a lesser, or unclassified, road along the western shore connecting the villages of Grange
and Portinscale.
Derwentwater gave its name to the Earldom of Derwentwater
.
The lake is believed to be the last remaining native habit of the vendace
(Coregonus vandesius) fish from the 4 originally known sites: Bassenthwaite Lake
and Derwent Water in the Lake District
and the Castle Loch & Mill Loch in Lochmaben
.
, St Herbert's Island, Rampsholme Island and Otterbield Island.
Lake District National Park
The Lake District National Park is located in the north-west of England and is the largest of the English National Parks and the second largest in the United Kingdom. It is in the central and most-visited part of the Lake District....
in north west England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It lies wholly within the Borough of Allerdale
Allerdale
Allerdale is a non-metropolitan district of Cumbria, England, with borough status. Its council is based in Workington and the borough has a population of 93,492 according to the 2001 census....
, in the county of Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
.
The lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
occupies part of Borrowdale
Borrowdale
Borrowdale is a valley and civil parish in the English Lake District in the Borough of Allerdale in Cumbria, England.Borrowdale lies within the historic county boundaries of Cumberland, and is sometimes referred to as Cumberland Borrowdale in order to distinguish it from another Borrowdale in the...
and lies immediately south of the town of Keswick
Keswick, Cumbria
Keswick is a market town and civil parish within the Borough of Allerdale in Cumbria, England. It had a population of 4,984, according to the 2001 census, and is situated just north of Derwent Water, and a short distance from Bassenthwaite Lake, both in the Lake District National Park...
. It is both fed and drained by the River Derwent
River Derwent, Cumbria
The Derwent is a river in the Lake District of the county of Cumbria in the north of England. The name Derwent is derived from a Celtic word for "oak trees"....
. It measures approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long by 1 miles (1.6 km) wide and is some 72 feet (21.9 m) deep. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. Derwent Island House
Derwent Island House
Derwent Island House is an 18th-century Italianate house situated on Derwent Island, Derwent Water, Keswick, Cumbria, and in the ownership of the National Trust. It is leased as a private home, but is open to the public five days a year. The interior is classical in style...
, an 18th century residence, is a tenanted National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
property open to the public on five days each year.
Portinscale
Portinscale is a village in Cumbria, England. It is situated close to the western shore of Derwentwater and within the Lake District National Park. It is some by road from Keswick....
and the Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls is a waterfall in Cumbria, England, close to Derwent Water and downstream from Watendlath. The falls are located on the beck that flows from Watendlath Tarn, and tumble more than over a steep cascade into the Borrowdale Valley...
, from which boats may be hired. Recreational walking is a major tourist activity in the area and an extensive network of footpaths exists within the hills and woods surrounding the lake.
The Keswick—Borrowdale road runs along the eastern shore of the lake and carries a regular bus service. There is a lesser, or unclassified, road along the western shore connecting the villages of Grange
Grange in Borrowdale
Grange, often called Grange in Borrowdale, is a village in Borrowdale in the English Lake District. It lies just off the B5289 road to the south of Derwent Water and south of Keswick, in the county of Cumbria....
and Portinscale.
Derwentwater gave its name to the Earldom of Derwentwater
Earl of Derwentwater
Earl of Derwentwater was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1688 for Sir Francis Radclyffe, 3rd Baronet. He was made Baron Tyndale, of Tyndale in the County of Northumberland, and Viscount Radclyffe and Langley at the same time, also in the Peerage of England. He was succeeded by...
.
The lake is believed to be the last remaining native habit of the vendace
Coregonus vandesius
Coregonus vandesius, the vendace, is a freshwater whitefish found in the United Kingdom. Population surveys of this species since the 1960s have revealed a steady decline.-Taxonomy:...
(Coregonus vandesius) fish from the 4 originally known sites: Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the largest water bodies in the English Lake District. It is long and narrow, approximately long and wide, but is also extremely shallow, with a maximum depth of about ....
and Derwent Water in the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
and the Castle Loch & Mill Loch in Lochmaben
Lochmaben
Lochmaben is a small town in Scotland, and site of a once-important castle. It lies four miles west of Lockerbie, in Dumfries and Galloway.-Notable people:*Angus Douglas - Scottish internationalist footballer...
.
Derwentwater's islands
There are numerous islands in Derwentwater, the largest being: Derwent Island, Lord's IslandLord's Island
Lord's Island, which is one of the seven islands on Derwent Water in Keswick, Cumbria, England, got its name from the Earls of Derwentwater who used to live here...
, St Herbert's Island, Rampsholme Island and Otterbield Island.