So last weekend we woke up bright and early, crammed all our camping gear in the car and headed out to the charming hamlet of Buttermere.
Residing just south west of Keswick in the Lake District – between the lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water – this small village is perfect for those wanting to get away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life and back in touch with the simplicity of the great outdoors.
Don’t expect to find any phone signal or modern amenities here – just a handful of cafés and pub restaurants surrounded by breath-taking views of the craggy Lake District countryside.
What does Buttermere mean?
The name Buttermere literally means “the lake by the dairy pastures”, and there are various points of interest that regularly bring in tourists and keen-ramblers from all across the globe.
Where to camp in Buttermere? – Syke Farm Campsite
A rustic campsite providing just the bare necessities, Syke Farm is a welcome throwback to an older time.
The no frills mantra of the farm really is such a welcome change – there are no electric hook-ups here, just a humble plot of land with a few toilets, showers and a small shelter. Perfect!
Upon arrival you simply collect your camping reservation ticket from the café (we also recommend treating yourself to one of their homemade ice-creams!), and then make your way to the campsite which is tucked away just beyond the local National Trust carpark.
After finding a spot to pitch our tent, we brought over all the necessities from the car, pumped up the airbed and just had a relaxing break on the campsite before our activity-filled afternoon.
The hilly landscape is stunning and really makes Syke Farm feel cosy and secluded, although we never felt cramped – you’ll have no trouble finding a spacious camping spot here.
The best part of camping here was once evening came. The village begins to slow down, the nearby National Trust car quietens and you’re just left with the sound of the wildlife and the serene sound of the river flowing through the campsite.
Buttermere Lake Walk
Feeling a little worn-out from our hectic week, we were craving a laid back weekend without anything too strenuous and so walking around Buttermere Lake seemed like the best option.
Taking only around 2 hours to walk the full lap of the lake, the stunning scenery and wild-swimming spots along the way means you’ll most likely be wanting to stop for a break or two and just take it all in.
We were particularly jealous of the people we saw setting up barbecues by the lakeside! A great idea for next time…
Guide – Where to start the Buttermere Lake Walk?
Simply start the walk by heading past the Fish Hotel in the centre of Buttermere, sticking to the left side path (opposite side of the carpark) and following it all the way to the lake. Once you arrive at the water you can take either the left or the right trail that leads along the circular route. We decided to stick to the left.
Around half way round you’ll pass by Gatesgarth Farm, which can be a great spot to grab a drink and take a brief respite.
Despite a short stint walking on the road around Gatesgarth Farm, the majority of this walk is on the serene lakeside path and very easy to follow.
For more infomation, be sure to check out our Buttermere Lake Walk Guide!
Crummock Water
Another great spot to check out which is just a 10-minute walk beyond Syke Farm is Crummock Water. Admittedly, we didn’t walk far around the lake, but we did stop for a sit down here in the evening, taking in the amazing views of the landscape as the sun began to set.
We also saw a group of campers going for a wild swim here, I’ll definitely be sure to bring my swim shorts next time and take a dip.
Buttermere pubs
The two pubs near the campsite were The Fish Inn and The Bridge Hotel. We’d read good things about both, but in the end decided on the latter on our stroll back from the lake.
Let’s just say we weren’t disappointed!
The draught ales were lovely, but I was even more impressed with the food. Look at the size of this homemade pie. Proper pub grub!
The Bridge Inn Hotel Opening Times
Monday: 8am – 11pm
Tuesday: 8am – 11pm
Wednesday: 8am – 11pm
Thursday: 8am – 11pm
Friday: 8am – 11pm
Saturday: 8am – 11pm
Sunday: 8am – 10:30pm
Kitchen closes at 9:30pm.
Where do you park at Buttermere?
Syke Farm campsite has its own small parking area just beyond the local National Trust Carpark. They do charge a small extra fee if you are parking here, but it is much cheaper than the National Trust Carpark.
If you aren’t camping, you may have to park on the National Trust carpark. Word of warning however, the parking area is quite small so we would definitely recommend getting here early enough to secure a spot.
There is also the small layby carpark just beyond St. James Church which offers free parking, although this fills up equally as fast.
National Trust Carpark Location
Grid reference: NY 172 169
Nearest postcode: CA13 9XA
Pay and display prices:
Payable every day 9am to 6pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays
Up to 2 hours: £3.50
Up to 4 hours: £6
Up to 12 hours: £8
Weekly for this car park: £28
Is Buttermere busy?
Yes, Buttermere can get quite busy, especially on weekends and bank holidays, with the shortage of parking only exacerbating this.
Our recommendation is to get here early!
Can you wild camp in Buttermere?
Technically, it’s illegal to wild camp in England, although many people do it without any issues.
Some Park Rangers are more lenient than others, allowing people to wild camp if they’re tucked out of the way and clean up after themselves.
It’s always a bit of a gamble, but chances are that you’ll be fine if you’re clean, respectful of the surroundings and camped out of the way in a spot that you’ve researched beforehand.
When we visited Crummock Water for example, we saw a few different groups setting up wild camping spots by the lake come evening time.
Looking online it seems as though this particular spot is quite a popular for wild camping, with many others also having previously pitched here.
Upon arrival, it’s easy to see why Crummock Water is such a popular wild camping spot. The views are magnificent and being so close to the water means you can take a dip whenever you’d like.
More resources
For more camping inspiration, don’t forget to head on over to our detailed post on ‘5 Of The Best Lake District Campsites’!
Happy walking 🚶🚶