7.1
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Paid
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.1A clifftop outlook above Derwentwater, with views described in the source row as reaching across to Bassenthwaite Lake.
The appeal is concentrated in one striking Lakeland panorama: a high viewpoint above Derwentwater, with Borrowdale’s fells and, on clear days, Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance. It works as a brief scenic stop or as the starting point for a sourced circular walk via Ashness Bridge and Watendlath.
Dramatic · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapBorrowdale, near Keswick, Cumbria
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Come for the panorama over Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. For a longer visit, the supplied route source describes a four-mile circular walk linking Surprise View, Ashness Bridge and Watendlath Tarn. Paths include road, woodland tracks and riverside sections, and can be muddy or rocky.
Things to do
Take in the view over Derwentwater
Pause at the clifftop viewpoint for the panorama across Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. The source row says Bassenthwaite Lake can also be seen.
Check before visiting
Walk the Surprise View to Watendlath Tarn circular
A four-mile loop rated easy by the supplied route source, crossing Ashness Bridge and using road, woodland tracks and riverside paths. Expect potentially muddy or damp patches near the stream.
1.5–2 hours
Cross Ashness Bridge
The circular route passes over Ashness Bridge, identified by the route source as a traditional stone packhorse bridge.
Part of the 1.5–2-hour circular walk
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick Escape: the Borrowdale panorama
- 01
Use the Surprise View car park at CA12 5UU; check current parking arrangements.
- 02
Walk to the viewpoint and take in the view across Derwentwater and the surrounding fells.
- 03
If visibility allows, look towards Bassenthwaite Lake.
Half day · About 1.5–2 hours for the route; allow extra time for stops
Make a half day of it: Surprise View circular
- 01
Start at Surprise View.
- 02
Follow the circular route towards Watendlath Tarn, crossing Ashness Bridge.
- 03
Allow for road, woodland-track and riverside sections; the supplied route source warns that areas near the stream can be muddy and damp.
- 04
Return to the start on the loop.
When to go
· Check conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not establish a preferred time of day.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal peak. The source row notes that Bassenthwaite Lake is visible from the viewpoint, but visibility will depend on conditions.
The longer route includes exposed and potentially muddy or damp sections near a stream. Check conditions and wear suitable footwear; the route source recommends sturdy waterproof walking boots.
The route
- ascent
- 259 ft
- surface
- Road, woodland tracks and riverside paths; muddy and damp patches near the stream are reported.
- distance
- 4 miles
- duration
- 1.5–2 hours
- difficulty
- Easy (as rated by the supplied route source)
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Surprise View
- parking start
- Surprise View car park, CA12 5UU. National Trust source says Borrowdale parking is pay and display; check current arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- Use the viewpoint as a brief stop rather than completing the circular route.
- Surprise View Point
- Ashness Bridge
- Watendlath Tarn
Worth pairing with
Ashness Bridge
A traditional stone packhorse bridge on the Surprise View to Watendlath Tarn circular route.
Watendlath Tarn
The destination named in the supplied four-mile circular route from Surprise View.
Derwentwater lakeside trails
The National Trust describes easy and moderate waymarked trails from Keswick Lakeside shop and Great Wood car park, ranging from half a mile to 1¾ miles.
What to look for
- 01
Take in the view across Derwentwater towards the surrounding fells
- 02
on a clear day, look for Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance. On the longer circular walk, notice Ashness Bridge and the change between road, woodland-track and riverside sections.
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; no specific seasonal peak is established by the supplied evidence.
No best time of day is established by the supplied sources. Clear conditions are needed for the distant view towards Bassenthwaite Lake described in the source row.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Photographers · Walkers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A roadside viewpoint above Derwentwater, with a car park. The National Trust lists parking at Surprise View as pay and display; check current arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Car park at Surprise View, postcode CA12 5UU. National Trust information says parking in Borrowdale is pay and display; check current details.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
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Food & drink
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Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. It does not establish that the viewpoint or paths are wheelchair accessible; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Surprise View
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
