Crummock Water

The National Trust managed Crummock Water is another treasure to paddle. Many years ago, it was a larger lake with its neighbour Buttermere Lake. Erosion to the fells has left a divide, and so you have Buttermere Lake and Crummock.

Both lakes have national (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and international (Special Area of Conservation) levels of protection because of their wildlife interest.

So why should you paddle Crummock Water, or Buttermere, and not the others in the Lake District? Well, that’s a difficult question, because they are all stunning in their own way.

Crummock Water is quieter than the main lakes, such as Windermere. It is also smaller and more manageable for paddling, especially if you’re looking for more of a leisurely paddle.

The area is particularly inspiring in late August. At this time, when there might still be crowds on the larger lakes, and both Buttermere Lake and Crummock Water are quieter. The heather backdrop provided by the fell scenery at this time has to be experienced.

Websites to look at:

• Go Paddling – highly recommended ✅
• Song of the Paddle – blog