Buttermere
Buttermere, United Kingdom
A small lake ringed by high fells, with an easy, level path of about 7 km all the way round. Parking in the hamlet is limited.
Buttermere in the Lake District is a small lake, about 2 km long and 0.5 km wide, up to around 23 m deep and some 100 m above sea level. It is ringed by the High Stile ridge, Robinson, Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks and Grasmoor. The lake is owned by the National Trust. The village lies at the north-western end.
The path around the lake is about 7 km long, fairly level and takes around three hours. It briefly follows the road, passes through a rock tunnel cut in the 19th century and crosses a short rocky step where you may need to use your hands. With children, the National Trust recommends going anticlockwise. Each year a short section on the north shore is closed from early April to the end of June to protect nesting common sandpipers (as of October 2026); waymarked alternatives are available.
- Nearest town
- Buttermere, United Kingdom
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 54.5410, -3.2770
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Seathwaite Farm CampsiteCampsite8 km from ButtermereTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowers
- Wasdale CampsiteCampsite9 km from ButtermereTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Church Stile Farm And Holiday ParkCampsite14 km from ButtermereTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowers
- Trafford Caravan ParkMotorhome stopover16 km from ButtermereCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Great Langdale CampsiteCampsite16 km from ButtermereTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- The Old Post Office CampsiteCampsite17 km from ButtermereTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Buttermere?
Buttermere is in Buttermere, United Kingdom, at GPS 54.5410, -3.2770. It is about 11 km from Keswick.
Can you camp near Buttermere?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Syke Farm Campsite, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 96 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Buttermere?
Buttermere is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake District passes: Kirkstone to Hardknott.
What is there to see near Buttermere?
Places worth a stop nearby: Honister Pass (6 km), Wast Water (12 km), Hardknott Pass (16 km) and Tarn Hows (22 km).
When is the best time to visit Buttermere?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)