Derwentwater, Portinscale

One glance at Derwentwater is all you'll need to realize why this "Queen of Lakes" inspires so many romantic poets and artists. Towering crags and the majestic woods of the Lake District National Park surround this 6.4 km (4 mi) long, 1.6 km (1 mi) wide lake. Abundant wildlife, diverse flora, and truly spectacular views of all four islands await you as you hike along the 16 km (10 mile) footpath. The lake's two marinas offer guided cruises to explore the islands, but if you prefer to venture out on your own, you can rent a motorboat, canoe, kayak, or rowboat. The two larger islands are St. Herbert's, which offers comfortable places to picnic, and Derwent Isle, which has a 16th-century house that you can explore. Mountaineering and watersports, such as sailing and windsurfing, are available for the adventurous traveler. Fishing is also favorite pastime; you can purchase a fishing permit and rod license from the Keswick Information Centre. Make Derwentwater a centerpiece of your Portinscale vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Portinscale online tour itinerary planner.