Thirlmere
Thirlmere
Length – 6.0km / Max Width – 0.78km
A reservoir created in the 19th century that now provides water to Manchester, Thirlmere is owned and managed by United Utilities and, therefore, paddling or any other water sport is not permitted anywhere in the lake.
However, surrounded on all sides by dramatic high rising fells, including Helvellyn, the lake has a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere, thanks to its isolated location, and offers a number of stunning walking trails.
Most people pass the eastern shore of the lake as they drive along the A591 between Keswick and Windermere but a single track road gives access to the western side with connections to the A591 at both the southern and northern ends of the lake.
Parking
There are a number of options for parking around Thirlmere. A United Utilities car park is available just off the A591 at Grid Ref NY 316 168. On the other side, accessed via the single track road that runs alongside the lake (signposted from A591 as "Public Road Round Lake") there are several more parking spots, including at Grid Ref NY 307 188 (pay and display), Grid Ref NY 306 173, and Grid Ref NY 321 130.
Facilities
There are no facilities at Thirlmere, which is why it is another lake largely ignored by tourists. At Thirlspot, a hamlet on the A591 around half way along the lake (Grid Ref NY 317 177) you will find the Kings Head Hotel, offering food and accommodation.
Walking Trails
A walk around the entirety of Thirlmere is around ten-miles, and, therefore, not one that could be considered a gentle stroll. You can start at any of the car parks listed above and most of the route is along tracks or paths, but you will need to cross the busy A591 at times. A path runs alongside the entire stretch of the single track road on the western side of the lake.
At the south end of the lake you will need to re-join the single track road briefly before it reaches the A591. Here you have a choice to cross straight over and join the path at Grid Ref NY 325 129 and follow it south for a short distance before it loops back north through woodland alongside the A591, or you could walk up the A591 and join the path at NY 324 136.
At the United Utilities Car Park at Grid Ref NY 316 168 you will need to cross the A591 again to join the path that runs along the lake shore to the northern end of the lake and back onto the single track lake road.