It may just be a rocky slab jutting out into a pretty lake, but Friars Crag, overlooking Derwentwater at Keswick, in the north of the Lake District, offers one of Britain’s most beautiful views.
From here a panorama of mountains, forests, islands and water opens up, looking towards the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ where the River Derwent flows through a gorge. Over the years it has inspired missionaries, artists such as Turner and Constable, writers and poets including Wordsworth and Coleridge.
Under the cliff’s pine trees are memorials to both local vicar Hardwicke Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trustand the well-travelled writer John Ruskin, who lived at nearby Coniston Water. Ruskin was of the opinion that no other view in Europe could equal it.
A ten minute walk further brings you to the winding pedestrian streets of the market town of Keswick, said to be home to Britain’s highest concentration of outdoor gear shops.
Peaceful place: Simon Heptinstall says Friars Crag in Keswick (pictured) offers ‘one of Britain’s best views’
Well-travelled author John Ruskin believed that no other view in Europe could match the one offered by Friars Crag, reveals Simon
It is a true hiking headquarters. Hardly surprising with so many great peaks rising all around, including the much-loved Catbells (1,500ft) just across Derwentwater – moderately challenging, yet exhilarating.
Then you have Keswick’s famous Pencil Museum. It celebrates one of the world’s best sources of graphite, found in the nearby hills.
The town is also home to the highly regarded Theater By The Lake, not far from Friars Crag. Its president is Judi Denchno less. Outdoor equipment shops, pubs, bookshops and restaurants can be found around Keswick’s prominent main square (where markets are held), with Moot Hall at its center housing the tourist information office under a clock tower.
From here you can tackle trails leading to the Castlerigg stone circle, on a plateau surrounded by slopes (three miles, mostly up), and a lake walk to Lingholm (two miles, mostly flat).
The view over Keswick and Derwentwater – both ‘worth a visit’
The dramatic Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle is not far from Keswick
On the latter, it’s a treat to stop at the Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden, which inspired Beatrix Potter’s Mr McGregor’s Garden. Do Cumberland sausages or fancy cream teas with prosecco.
Opposite Friars Crag lies the island of St Herbert, where an influential missionary hermit of that name once lived, visited by early Celtic saints such as Cuthbert.
Derwentwater and Keswick are no longer such hideaways, but well worth visiting.
Where to stay: Doubles from £130 B&B at Inn On The Square, which has chic Nordic design, bright cocktail bar and rooms with stunning mountain views (innonthesquare.co.uk). For more information, see visit lakedistrict.com.
