Buttermere

One of my favourite places to visit at any time of year. The last time I came here was 5 years ago during August, and there had been so much rainfall that flooding of the paths and fields had prevented me from walking around the lake. This time however, the weather was cold but relatively dry. It took us 2hrs to walk all the way around at a leisurely pace. Buttermere is beautiful whatever the time of year and I highly recommend visiting this gorgeous part of The Lake District.

What can you say about Buttermere that hadn't already been said! For me it's the Lake District's cherry on the top, absolutely beautiful views in every direction, there's walks to suit everyone, from just a walk round the lake to a couple of scrambles up onto The High Stile Range. You can access so many fells from Buttermere, too many to mention, but obviously the High Stile range, Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, Robinson, Hindscarth, Rannerdale Knots, Grassmoor, & Mellbreak, from these fells, well you can link so many others! Both Buttermere & Crummock Water are just epic for paddleboarding, & wild swimming, though I'd stick to Buttermere for the wild swimming. The two pubs are decent, though what was once The Fish Inn has now been taken over sadly, & it's not the same, good selection of local ales, though I'm not a drinker, but you've a fair choice, unlike the menu, which is tiny, possibly the smallest I've seen! Having said that, the bangers & mash were very good! Especially after a day of both fell walking & SUP! The Bridge Inn is far better for food, though be prepared to queue for a table in summer, which we did, & after 10-15 minutes we were sitting looking at a great menu! Again, plenty of ales if you're into that, but a much better menu, & again, very good food! Syke Farm Campsie is brilliant imo, it's only got 1 shower for the men, & another for the women, but considering this was my second time camping there, I still didn't have to wait, its got like a drying barn, with clothes lines to dry off anything as well as good washing up facilities. This review is from my first visit in 2012, when I camped, many other day visits as well as this year's camp, which is why I was a little disappointed that the Fish Inn has gone, but does that change my opinion of Buttermere being the cherry on the top? Nah, not in the slightest, still the most stunning part of The Lakes, with Upper Eskdale coming in a close second.