The peaceful village of Bassenthwaite, centred on its old inn, nestles in a quiet valley at the north end of the lake. 

To the south is Mirehouse, an 18th century house and garden with literary links to Tennyson, Coleridge and Wordsworth. Opposite is the osprey viewpoint in Dodd Wood or, for a more intimate view of osprey family life, Whinlatter Forest Centre provides a video link to the nest. A new wetland nature reserve is being opened up at Dubwath Silver Meadows, while those wanting a more exotic walk on the wild side can visit Trotters World of Animals just round the corner.

All these attractions are linked by the newly launched Osprey Bus, which circulates the lake from April to August.

On foot

There is an accessible footpath along the western shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, but the eastern shore is only accessible in parts. Mirehouse only allows public access to the lake for visitors to the house. Further north, the Allerdale Ramble footpath runs close to the lake shore.

The Cumbria Way passes to the ‘Back o' Skiddaw' through Park Wood before heading north towards Caldbeck.

The Allerdale Ramble is a 54-mile (87 km) walk starting at Seathwaite in Borrowdale (central Lakeland) to Silloth. The route passes through Dodd Wood and along the eastern side of Bassenthwaite Lake to Cockermouth.

St Bega's Way is a 36-mile (58 km) walk from the Priory Church of St Mary and St Bega at St Bees to the pre-Norman church of St Bega on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. www.stbegasway.org.uk

Miles without Stiles covers a number of ‘road tested' routes, ideal for those in wheelchairs, buggies or who find walking a challenge. Some of these specially selected walks can be found in the Keswick area. www.lake-district.gov.uk

Other walking routes are downloadable from www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk  and www.keswick.org/walks.asp.