Esthwaite Water, Protected lake in Cumbria, England.
Esthwaite Water is a natural lake and a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the English Lake District, lying between the larger lakes of Windermere and Coniston Water. It is relatively shallow, and its shores are lined with reeds, wet meadows, and patches of woodland that set it apart from its neighbors.
The lake was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest during the 20th century because it is one of the most nutrient-rich natural lakes in England, which makes it particularly valuable to ecologists. This designation was part of a broader movement to protect natural habitats across Britain.
William Wordsworth went to school in Hawkshead, the village that sits just beside the lake, and the surrounding fields and water shaped some of his earliest writing. Visitors walking along the shore today still pass through the same countryside he described in his poems.
The lake is accessible from several points around its shore, including from the village of Hawkshead, which is the closest settlement. A path runs along part of the waterside and gives good views over the water and surrounding fields.
Esthwaite Water has been one of the most studied lakes in Britain, with water samples collected there regularly since the 1930s. This long record makes it a key reference point for understanding how freshwater ecosystems change over time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
