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Lodore Falls

Lodore Falls Waterfall

A popular Lake District destination since Victorian times, this waterfall on Watendlath Beck is located at the southern tip of Derwentwater. Take the B5289 from Keswick signposted Borrowdale and Buttermere. The falls are located directly behind the Lodore Hotel, which offers parking only to guests, so your best bet is to park in the National Trust Kettlewell parking area at the southern end of Derwentwater. Warning! This parking area can be extremely crowded in summer, so plan on getting here early or late in the day. Free parking for National Truist members.

Cross the road from the parking area and take the signposted trail to the south, runnning parallel to the road. The way is clear, and the walk passes through some lovely woodland before climbing very slightly to reach the falls.

There is a park bench on a clear hillock which allows easy viewing of the falls, or you can opt to get much closer if you choose. There is no fencing, so visitors can get as close to the falls as they wish. All the obvious warnings apply - the rocks at the base of the falls can be slippery, so please take care. Your reward, however, is a wonderful view of the falls, which are spectacular after a period of wet weather.

The falls were made famous by poet Robert Southey, whose poem 'The Cataract at Lodore' gave us the modern spelling of the fall's name. Perhaps a line or two will suffice to give you a flavour ...

... dashing and flashing and splashing and clashing;
And so never ending, but always descending,
Sounds and motions for ever and ever are blending
All at once and all o'er, with a mighty uproar, -
And this way the water comes down at Lodore.

Photos of Lodore Falls Waterfall
Lodore Falls is one of the eastern Lake District's most popular beauty spots. The falls have been popular with visitors since Victorian times, and it is easy to see why. You'll need to time your visit early or late, though, as the nearest parking is a half mile away on the shores of the lake, and the parking lot fills up quickly.	There is an open viewpoint - complete with park bench - at a pleasant viewing distance from the bottom of the falls.	The bottom of the falls is a jumble of boulders which children love to climb on. The woodland in which the falls are located is quite open, and there is plenty of room for picnicking on a sunny day.

Location map for Lodore Falls Waterfall

Nearest Hotels to Lodore Falls Waterfall

Mary Mount Hotel - 0.5 miles away Borrowdale, Cumbria Stay from: £74.00

The Leathes Head Hotel - 0.7 miles away Borrowdale, Cumbria Stay from: £100.00

The Lodore Falls Hotel - 0.9 miles away Borrowdale, Cumbria Stay from: £71.00

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