Crummock Water
Crummock Water
Length – 4.0km / Max Width – 0.85km
This long lake is often ignored by visitors in favour of its smaller neighbour, Buttermere, and as such it offers a quieter alternative for a lakeside picnic and paddle if you are willing to walk a short distance.
Access is via the B5289 from Cockermouth and there are plenty of secret spots that locals enjoy.
Parking
There are a number of parking spots dotted along the B5289 that runs along the edge of Crummock Water towards Buttermere. Alternatively, you can park at either Scalehill Bridge (Grid Ref NY 149 215) or Lanthwaite Green Farm (Grid Ref NY 158 207).
Both of these points have footpaths through Lanthwaite Wood to the northern shore of the Lake (Grid Ref 152 208). In addition, you can also park at Buttermere Village (pay and display) and walk up to the southern end of the lake.
Facilities
There is a hotel (The Bridge) and an inn (The Fish Inn) at Buttermere village at the southern end of the lake that both serve food and welcome walkers. There are also two cafes in the village, Croft House Farm Café and Sykes Farm Tearooms, both of which serve snacks and ice-creams.
There are also public toilets in the car park at Buttermere (a small charge applies). There are no facilities at the northern end of the lake.
Walking Trails
The walk from Scalehill Bridge through Lanthwaite Wood to the northern shore of Crummock Water is a pleasant one and is pushchair friendly, though it is uphill all the way back. Once you reach the shore you can either turn left or right for a walk along the water’s edge, with plenty of picnic spots on the way. Alternatively, if you park at Buttermere, a trek up to Scale Force Waterfall is a rewarding walk.
Take the track that runs alongside the Fish Inn towards Buttermere Lake and at the fork in the track (Grid Ref NY 174 168) go right. Follow this track until the end, where you will turn right to walk alongside the beck (stream). This path will lead you along the lake shore and up to the stunning Scale Force Waterfall at Grid Ref NY 152 171.
It is possible to walk around the lake (around 8 miles), although part of that will be on along the B5289.