Borrowdale

Borrowdale is a valley and civil parish in Cumberland that extends through the Lake District National Park, marked by mountain ranges including the Scafells. The River Derwent flows through it and drains into Derwentwater.

Graphite deposits near Seathwaite were discovered in the mid-1500s and sparked the rise of pencil manufacturing in nearby Keswick. This early discovery made the area a center for pencil production.

The valley shaped the imagination of novelist Hugh Walpole, who lived here and wrote his Rogue Herries series set in these surroundings. Visitors often recognize the locations from his descriptions when walking through the same mountains and valleys.

The valley sits within Lake District National Park and offers access to mountain trails of varying difficulty. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and wear sturdy footwear, as paths through the mountains can be steep and slippery.

The valley contains a narrow mountain passage called the Jaws of Borrowdale, a tight squeeze between Castle Crag and Grange Fell where the river path opens up again near Grange. This rock formation creates a dramatic gateway that every visitor must navigate.

Location: Cumberland

GPS coordinates: 54.51634,-3.14701

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30