Derwent Water is a local beauty spot and home to many attractions.
Check out where they make the famous Derwent Bay Bears, have you seen any about? - they stand outside shops holding menus and other objects. Take in some local brewed ale from a real Jennings Lakeland pub or go on an adventure walk around Derwent water with it's mysterious sculptures like the one in the photo - above left. Keswick with all its many and varied shops overlooks Derwent water. Here you will find every type of shop with enticingly good prices on outdoor clothing.

Popular with tourists and walkers who can follow the trail completely around this lake. You can follow the shore line or go high up onto Cats Bells looking down over the entire lake and see what is beyond too. The bustling town of Keswick overlooks the northern end of Derwent Water. Note also that Derwent water offers a ferry service if you don't have the time or stamina for a long walk.

Walking this lake may well bring you into contact with rabbits, dear, foxes, owls, herons, and all sorts of other wild life. Don't forget that camera and the binoculars! Cats Bells is a superb walk on the west shore up high or you can stay by the lake shore but you'll need to drive into the heart of Keswick and watch for the Swinside sign to walk on this side. Two yachting marinas are also here at Derwent water on the western shore and you'll see them on the way to the Cat Bells walk.

Tourists are well catered for in and around Keswick. Lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. Caravaning, guest houses and hotels can be found on almost every street.

For more details use one of the links here. Simply enter the name of this lake, village or town into the web site search window that appears. Hotels and Guest Houses Youth Hostels for Families etc.

From the M6, take the Penrith J40 turn-off. Following the A66 Ullswater road. Follow the A66 Keswick, heading West. Stay on this road for some 18 miles.
Watch for the turn-off on your left that is marked Keswick. It's not the best marked road but having found yourself coming off the A66 you are heading down and forking onto another main road taking you to the left. This road takes you into Keswick town - the 30 m.p.h. signs come up just as you enter into the built up area followed soon by a "T" junction.

At the T junction you have a choice - Turn left and you are on the A591 road for Thirlmere, Grasmere and Rydal water (don't go there!!).

The road sign at this junction states the B5289 is right. I stress this little point because it "feels" you are heading the wrong way when I have said that turning "right" is correct !?. Follow each sign for the B5289, until you begin to realise you are heading everywhere but the lake - indeed your feeling's that you are now heading away and returning back in the direction you came from are real. Take no notice of your instincts - do not panic - you will be rewarded shortly when the lake appears on your right hand side! . . . - now how did it get there???.

The above directions are for dive site 1 on our map. You may come across a "B5289 Portinscale" sign which takes you to Nichol End site 2 on our map - if you want to go there.
Those wishing to use the ferry service at Derwent water then drive into the centre of Keswick, follow the road around and signs for "Steamers" or "Theatre by the Lake" whichever you pick up on will lead you into a large pay and display car park with a pleasant five minute walk down to the ferries. No diving allowed here.

But the islands belong to the National Trust - "Keep Off" or they will run a lawn mower over you.

But before you get into Blea tarn you may want to check on the spooky side of Lord's Islandfirst !

But before you get into Blea tarn you may want to check on the spooky side of Herbert's Island side first !

Perch, Trout and Minnows to see when in season.

Exploring a little dived site that is steeped in folklore and legend. You may just stumble on something of interest and become famous?

Hurrah! - no special permission required unless you wish to go through someone's garden.

This lake has a fantastic altitude of 36 metres above sea level making it one of the lowest lying lakes.

Max depth: 11 metres with a very gradually descending lake bed over silt and decaying leaf.

Torches: not required except during summer time when overcast (algae and dim light).

Thermoclines: None observed.

West Cumbria: branch is based at Egremont.
Solway divers: branch is based at Whitehaven.
Kendal + Lakes: branch is based at Kendal Leisure Centre.

West Lakes Sub-Aqua: Cockermouth based club. Air compressor sited at Cockermouth.

For more details see "Dive Clubs & Air" page.

Visibility: 2 to 5 metres.

Temperature range is 14 - 16 degrees Celsius.

Visibility improves to 6 metres.

Temperature is 4 - 5 degrees above zero.

Mobile phones do work in the dive area. Do test your mobile for signal strength.

Public phones: non observed nearby. Best to try someone's home in emergency. Next best is into Keswick town centre car park where there are several although this would take circa 15 minutes.

For the latest on the weather: "Scuba Weather Report"

Nearest toilet: In Keswick.

If parking is not available, especially in the summer months, then you could go for the Watendlaith Tarn dive if you have arranged it as a back-up. For this private phone number please contact the webmaster.

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