Braithwaite

(See also Whinlatter Forest , Whinlatter Pass and Bassenthwaite Lake)

Whinlatter Pass, winding its way through the Thornthwaite Forest, sits 1,043 feet above sea level with views over Bassenthwaite Lake. At the foot of the pass lies the small village of Braithwaite, straddling Coledale Beck. The village is connected, to the north, with Buttermere via the Newlands Pass, a three-mile-long road running along a ledge above the valley. Little Braithwaite and Porter How were once hamlets within Braithwaite, and there were strong ties with the neighbouring village of Thornthwaite.

Tradespeople flourished in Braithwaite during the heyday of the village's woollen industry, owned by Joshua Sims and Sons. A General Wyndham was lord of the manor of Braithwaite. A school was built in the village in 1842. From 1868 to 1898, the Cumberland Pencil Co., now in Keswick, was situated in Braithwaite. It moved when the factory burned down. Two corn mills in the village were kept busy grinding grain. A lead mine at Force Cragg provided further employment.

Today, a village shop, pubs, and hotels (one built in 1903) compliment the white village cottages. Two churches, St Herbert's and a Methodist Chapel, provide worship facilities for the inhabitants.

St Herbert was a seventh century priest/hermit who lived on nearby St Herbert's Island in the middle of Derwent Water.

A bridge near the village is the starting point for many local walks. The C2C cycle trail passes through Braithwaite, following the Whinlatter pass road. The Whinlatter Visitor Centre is located on this road in England's only working mountain forest. Many miles of foot and cycle paths crisscross the forest.

Lying between two lakes, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite,
Braithwaite provides a gateway to walking and climbing in the scenic fells of the North Lakes area.

Location Map of Braithwaite
Braithwaite is 3 miles west of Keswick on the B5292.

Walks in the area: www.braithwaite-walks.co.uk

Whinlatter Forest Park
Whinlatter Pass
Braithwaite
Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW
Visitor Centre with exhibitions, shop, tearoom, car parks, walking and cycle trails.
Open: 10-5pm (summer), 4pm (winter)
Tel. 017687 78469
Email: enquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.whinlatterforestpark.co.uk

Photos courtesy Graeme Dougal

© 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.