Rosthwaite

Overview

Rosthwaite is a small but perfectly formed village situated in the heart of the Borrowdale valley in the Lake District. It is one of the most scenic places in the Lakes and is surrounded by incredible mountain scenery.

It’s free to visit and is a great way to spend a couple of hours. You can start walks from here, potter around the village, or just cosy up in one of the Lakeland pubs. Adventurous travellers will love the opportunities for fell walking, with Wainwrights quite literally on the doorstep.

What is Rosthwaite known for?

Rosthwaite is a small village in the Borrowdale valley, known for its picturesque good looks and its spectacular surroundings. The natural landscapes on its doorstep include mountains, lakes, and forests. Rosthwaite is popular with hikers and those who love nature and the great outdoors.

Is Rosthwaite a good place to hike?

Yes, Rosthwaite is a fantastic place to start a hike. There are many routes to cater for most abilities, from low-level wanders to steep fell walks. Wainwright-baggers will want to tick off Rosthwaite Fell, also known as Bessyboot, and Castle Crag.

Some of the best hikes in the area include:

Castle Crag Circular – a moderate 2.6-mile (4.2-kilometre) hike
Langstrath Beck – 8.3 miles (13 kilometres) of easy walking through the countryside
High Raise from Rosthwaite – 9 miles (14.5 kilometres) with fantastic views of Borrowdale

What’s the easiest walk in Rosthwaite?

One of the easiest walks from Rosthwaite is this Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite Beck route – a 2.2-mile (3.6-kilometre) circular hike. This walk features peaceful riverside paths, incredible views of the surrounding fells, and explores some of the prettiest villages in the Lake District.

Is Rosthwaite Fell a Wainwright?

Yes, Rosthwaite Fell is a Wainwright. Wainwrights are named after Alfred Wainwright, a fell walker who mapped out seven Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. The Wainwright is the summit of a fell (mountain or hill).

There are 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District, and many keen walkers try to tick them all off during their adventures.

Are there toilets in Rosthwaite?

Yes, there are public toilets available to use in Rosthwaite. They are adjacent to the main car park.

Pubs in Rosthwaite

After all that exploring, you’ll be ready to sit down with a pint and maybe a bite to eat. As Rosthwaite is a small village, it only has one pub, The Royal Oak Hotel. You can choose to relax by the bar with a drink or sit in one of the dining areas if you would like something to eat.

There are more pubs in the nearby villages such as Stonethwaite, or you can always pop back to YHA Borrowdale for dinner or a drink.

If you fancy a hot drink instead, head to The Flock In Tearoom. This cosy café serves light bites, including sandwiches and soups, as well as tea, coffee, and soft drinks.

Things to do in Rosthwaite

Gate leading out of a field overlooking a hill valley

Explore the village

Rosthwaite is a postcard-perfect village, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll. There are plenty of photo opportunities, too. Enjoy a wander along the quiet lanes, admiring the drystone walls and pretty Lakeland cottages.

Hiking

Ok, so we’ve already mentioned quite a bit about hiking in Rosthwaite, and we don’t want to go on about it too much, but the village is such an excellent starting point for several spectacular hikes. There’s something to suit every ability from relaxed strolls to adrenaline-fuelled scrambles.

Blue bus driving through the countryside with rolling hills

Ride the Honister Rambler

The Honister Rambler is a bus route that runs during the summer months. Although it can be used as a way to get from A to B, it’s also a circular route, so if you fancy hopping on and seeing some of the sights of the Lake District, you can do. Notable sights include:

Portinscale
Catbells
Grange
Seatoller
Honister Slate Mine
Buttermere
Lorton
Whinlatter Forest

Rosthwaite Stepping Stones

The Rosthwaite Stepping Stones can be found on the way to Castle Crag. They cross the river Derwent, where there was once a ford crossing. The ford crossing has now been replaced by New Bridge. The stepping stones are fun to skip over at drier times of the year and make for a fantastic photo opportunity.

You’ll want to avoid crossing them during heavy rain spells, when they may be submerged. Take care when crossing, as the stones can get slippery.

How to get to Rosthwaite from YHA Borrowdale

Rosthwaite is less than a mile (1 kilometre) away from YHA Borrowdale and is easily reached on foot or by cycle. Because of its proximity, this route is not served by public transport.

On foot: It takes about 13 minutes to walk from YHA Borrowdale to Rosthwaite.

Cycling: Travelling by bike from YHA Borrowdale to the village of Rosthwaite should take around three minutes.

By car: Driving from YHA Borrowdale to Rosthwaite takes approximately three minutes. There is a pay and display car park here with 21 spaces.