Buttermere is arguably the most beautiful of all the lakes in the Lake District, and it is famous worldwide for its impressive scenery and dramatic landscapes.

This relatively small body of water lies in a chain that includes nearby Crummock Water and the slightly lesser-known Loweswater further west.

Local Walks near Buttermere

Buttermere sits in the shadow of Haystacks, one of the most accessible and enjoyable climbs in the national park. As you walk up from the valley, you’ll discover several “innominate tarns” – small bodies of water high in the mountain that nobody has ever named.

Other popular walks from Buttermere include around the lake (approximately 4.5 miles), Rannerdale Knotts, Fleetwith Pike, the High Stile Range, and Sourmilk Gyhll, a famous nearby waterfall.

The Buttermere village is picturesque, with old stone cottages, traditional pubs and campers’ shops. It is the perfect base to explore the mountain peaks surrounding it and its lake and popular walks.

In the past, Buttermere was extremely isolated. However, with the construction of the Honister Pass to Seatoller, the area became accessible from the Eastern Lakes and the rest of the country.

Despite this, the area remains almost completely undeveloped, leaving it nearly exactly how it was before modern times. Visitors to the region are often surprised by how pristine the lake and surrounding landscape remains, despite large volumes of tourists visiting the Lakes every year.

Places to eat in Buttermere

• The Bridge Inn offers a relaxed country-pub atmosphere and is dog friendly. On warmer days, the outside seating is ideal, with panoramic views of the surrounding fells.
• High Stile Kitchen, within the Buttermere Court Hotel, offers a more formal experience while still a family & dog-friendly experience.
• Croft House Farm Café is a casual cafe offering light bites, teas and coffees. Popular with walkers for a quick bite before heading up the fells.
• Syke Farm Tea Room is another casual cafe offering light bites, ice creams, cakes, teas and coffees.

Getting to Buttermere

If you are not staying in one of our Buttermere Cottages, we recommend you use the bus service to reach the area, due to the limited parking.

The rural village of Buttermere is serviced by the number 77/77A bus, which shuttles between Booths in Keswick and Buttermere Village. The journey takes around 50 minutes, depending on the local traffic. You can check the times and plan your journey via the Stagecoach Journey Planner.