Brothers Water

(See also Kirkstone Pass)

Dorothy Wordsworth referred to Brothers Water as ". . the glittering lively lake. . .".  It was mainly the setting with which she was enthralled. Today, the lake is not so popular, being shallow and full of reeds. In July water lilies are in bloom. Fishermen like the lake for its resident trout population.

Its name used to be Broad Water but apparently changed when, in the 19^th century, two brothers drowned in the lake. A wooded walk skirts the western shore. From its northern end the walk leads to Patterdale. Southward it heads over Kirkstone Pass to Ambleside.

On the western side of Brothers Water is Hartsop Hall. The 16^th century building passed to Sir John Lowther in the 17^th century. The village of Hartsop lies near the northeast corner of the lake.  Brothers Water is classified two ways: as one of Lakeland's smallest lakes or one of its largest tarns.

Brothers Water is located at the northern end of Kirkstone Pass off the A592.

Under the care of the National Trust

 Photos courtesy of Ann Bowker

Back to Cumbria Lakes

© 1997-2008 by The Cumbria Directory. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from The Cumbria Directory is prohibited.