Braithwaite

Settlement in Cumberland Allerdale

England

Braithwaite

A66 eastbound near Portinscale Credit: Colin Pyle

Braithwaite is a quaint village located in the county of Cumberland, in the northwestern region of England. Situated in the beautiful Lake District National Park, it is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes and is known for its idyllic setting. The village is nestled in the Coledale Valley, with the towering peaks of Grisedale Pike and Causey Pike providing a stunning backdrop.

With a population of around 400 residents, Braithwaite maintains a peaceful and close-knit community atmosphere. The village is primarily residential, consisting of charming stone cottages and traditional English gardens. The local architecture reflects the area's history and heritage, making it an attractive destination for visitors.

Braithwaite offers a range of amenities to cater to both residents and tourists. The village boasts a few cozy pubs and guesthouses, providing a warm welcome to those passing through. Additionally, there is a small convenience store that caters to the daily needs of the community.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Braithwaite is a paradise. The village serves as an excellent base for exploring the Lake District, with numerous hiking and walking trails starting from its doorstep. Whinlatter Forest Park, a short distance away, offers further opportunities for adventure, including mountain biking and wildlife spotting.

Overall, Braithwaite is a charming and picturesque village that offers a tranquil escape to nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the stunning Lake District National Park.

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Braithwaite Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.603084/-3.189641 or Grid Reference NY2323. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A66 eastbound near Portinscale

Colin Pyle

Path up Barrow

The path climbs the northern spur. The ridge continues to Stile End and Outerside (catching the sun on the right).

Ian Taylor

Mountain bike track, Whinlatter

Steven Brown

Mountain bike track, Hospital Plantation, Whinlatter Forest Park

Steven Brown

Portinscale

The centre of Portinscale. A popular tourist attraction, Portinscale is the only village in the United Kingdom named after a prostitute. The etymology of the name means ‘house of the harlot’. The Cumbria Way turns right here between the buildings, following the old A594 road towards Long Bridge and Keswick (next photograph NY2523 : Old A594 road, Portinscale).

Adrian Taylor

Benchmark on Thornthwaite Chapel, Thornwaite

Benchmark description Link

OfficeOfPudseyBMs

Direction Sign â Signpost between Ullock and Little Braithwaite

Located on the west side of a T junction between Ullock and Little Braithwaite in Above Derwent parish. 3 arms and pawn finial. See also Link

and Link. Milestone Society National ID: CU_NY2322

Mike Rayner

Radiation fog clings to the slopes of Braithwaite How

A cold night has filled the valleys with radiation fog, with the peaks and higher slopes initially clear of the roiling mists. An increasing northwesterly wind is starting to move the air, and is bringing clouds to the tops, limiting the sunlight reaching the valleys. Where the trees slow the breeze, fog lingers on the slopes of Braithwaite How. Across the valley, Skiddaw is just losing its summit view - one had to be out early to get sun on the tops today !

Andy Waddington

Boulder among the bracken, Kinn

The underlying solid geology of Kinn is the Kirkstile Formation of laminated mudstones and siltstones of Arenig (Ordovician) age, but the boulder doesn't seem to match that description and is likely to be a glacial erratic, brought by ice sheets from elsewhere. The rounded shape supports that conclusion. There is no bedrock showing here, and the rock sits on a slope heavily infested with bracken, above scattered woodland showing autumn colours. The view across the rapidly clearing morning radiation fog is towards Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite (one of those very rare things in the Lake District - a lake - as opposed to a water or a mere).

Andy Waddington

Ascending Kinn towards Grisedale Pike

After a steep pull from the road, the path to Grisedale Pike ascends more gently for a while up Kinn, as the morning sun disappears behind increasing amounts of cloud formed by a stiff northwesterly breeze. This is hardly unexpected in the Lakes in November, but an hour earlier the tops had been clear above a thermal inversion causing fog in the valley and we'd hoped for better views at least early in the walk. The forecast predicted an hour with rain in the middle of the day, so we counted ourselves fortunate that that didn't materialise.

Andy Waddington

Meanders in Coledale Beck

Whilst it looks pleasant enough, pollution from the Force Crag mines further up the valley is a significant issue in the beck and whilst there is some rediation in the form of settlement ponds, no effort seems to be being made to entirely remove the ugly workings and tackle the cause of the pollution at source, let alone at the original mine owners' expense as would be proper.

Andy Waddington

Traditional Cast Iron Fingerpost at Braithwaite

Situated in the little village of Braithwaite by the Coledale Beck. A water level marker can also be seen. Braithwaite is only 2.5 miles from Keswick.

Jennifer Petrie