Friars Crag

Friars Crag

Route: Friars Crag

Area: North Western Lake District

Date of walk: 13th February 2020

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 2.0 miles

Ascent: 100 feet

Weather: Mostly sunny

I only had time for a short walk today, and decided to revisit Friars Crag on the east shore of Derwent Water. Friars Crag is a rocky promontory jutting into the lake about half a mile from the boat landing stages. John Ruskin described the view as one of the three most beautiful scenes in Europe

I parked in the large car park next to the Theatre by the Lake on the outskirts of Keswick. Before heading for Friar’s Crag I made a quick there and back detour into Crow Park, a place well worth visiting in its own right for the outstanding view to the head of Derwent Water. I then retraced my steps to the obvious path leading to Friar’s Crag, which passes by the Keswick Landing Stages. There are good views across the lake from the path, which is wheelchair friendly and easy to follow. Along the way I passed by Derwent Isle, owned by the National Trust. The house on the island is inhabited, and is open to the public for five days every year, making it the only inhabited island in the Lake District which opens to visitors

I soon arrived at Friar’s Crag, so named because it was believed to be the embarkment point for monks making a pilgrimage to St Herbert’s Island, located south west of the crag. The view was as wonderful as ever and after admiring it for a while I carried on around the lakeshore for a short distance until I reached Strangshag Bay. My time had run out by now and so from here I retraced my steps to end a short but sweet walk

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