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Bassenthwaite Lake


Bassenthwaite
Grid Ref: NY 220290

Bassenthwaite Lake, owned by the National Park Authority, is one of the largest at 4 miles long and 3/4 mile wide, but also one of the shallowest (70 ft).

It is the most northerly of the lakes, and has no major settlements on its shores. Its is often full of sailing boats from Bassenthwaite Sailing Club.

There is a shore path which runs the length of the west shore, but there is no access to the east side except at Mirehouse. Here there is a small open-air theatre, built in 1974 for the reading of 'Morte d'Arthur' to the Tennyson society at the place where it is thought that Tennyson, who often stayed at Mirehouse, composed much of the poem.

Bassenthwaite is home to the vendace, a rare and endangered fish species found only here and in Derwentwater.


Bassenthwaite Lake from Whinlatter Pass


Bassenthwaite Lake from the Ullock Pike ridge. Picture by Ann Bowker.
(St. Bega's Church is lower left in the middle of a field).


And in the opposite direction - looking to Skiddaw, Ullock Pike and Dodd.

Aerial photo by Simon Ledingham

See here for more information about Bassenthwaite Sailing Club.


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