The perfect place to explore and kayak in Borrowdale, with easy access to Keswick and Buttermere and open water canoeing access direct from the hostel we couldn’t have asked for anything more.
We (family of 4, with 2 kids aged 10 and 12 years) have just spent 2 nights at DERWENTWATER INDEPENDENT HOSTEL near Keswick where we went open water canoeing. What a lovely find from the Independent Hostels map of Cumbria. Unusually for a bank holiday the weather was superb, glorious sunshine with amazing sunsets over the lake.
We arrived at this lakeside hostel about 2.30pm after a 4 hour drive, so were itching to get out in the fresh air and sun. By 3pm we were in the lake in our kayaks, with one of the kids splashing around on a body board.
Access to Derwentwater is completely open and free, with a lovely beach opposite the entrance to the youth hostel. In fact, we easily carried our kayaks from the youth hostel car park onto the beach opposite.
We then made ourselves home in Derwent Water Hostel after a warm welcome from Kathy. Our room was huge, the beds were comfy and there was a separate self catering kitchen for those that needed it. With 2 lounges and a games room there was plenty of space to spread out.
In all this is the perfect place to explore and kayak in Borrowdale, with easy access to Keswick and Buttermere and open water canoeing access direct from the hostel we couldn’t have asked for anything more.
