In the summer the National Trust runs a regular free bus service to Watendlath on Sundays. No more worrying about other drivers; sit back and enjoy the views over the dry stone walls. It is well worth saving this walk for a Sunday in order to enjoy the minibus ride and to avoid being restricted to a circular walk.
Catch the bus (at quarter past the hour) from Lakeside NT Information Centre by the Derwentwater jetties and enjoy the 25 minute ride to Watendlath. You may be tempted by a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake at the tearoom before crossing the footbridge and taking the footpath beside the tarn. Initially walk along a good track through little fields and then on a smaller footpath that rises gradually to reach Dock Tarn after about a mile and a half. From here the path gradually descends eventually following graded zigzags steeply through the wood down to the valley near Stonethwaite. You may be tempted to cross the bridge to Stonethwaite where the Langstrath Inn provides excellent food and drink; otherwise turn right at the bottom of the hill and follow the track along the valley to reach the bridge over to Rosthwaite.
While you wait for the bus back to Keswick enjoy tea and home made scones at the Flock In. If you are tempted by Yew Tree Farm's Herdwick lamb joints in the refrigerator here remember that you can also purchase them from Hodgsons Butchers in Blencathra Street, Keswick.
Design and © Cathy Colam
July 2000