Calfclose Bay

Calfclose Bay with Rampsholme Island and St. Herbert's island
Coordinates		54.582157 / -3.1329955
OS grid		NY 26870 21363
what3words		///  detained.later.shepherds

Calfclose Bay is one of several main bays at Derwentwater, situated on the north eastern side of the lake, at the foot of Great Wood and Walla Crag, which makes for an interesting hike and offers incredible views in every direction. Something not to be missed. It is a well-trodden route and can expect to find many like-minded people ticking that particular box. It is here the Hundred Year Stone, or Centenary Stone as it is sometimes called, is located. It was commissioned by the National Trust and sculpted by renowned artist, Peter Randall-Page, to celebrate 100 years of the National Trust back in 1995. This piece of andestite is incredibly old. It is a Borrowdale glacial boulder, and if it comes from the same type of rock as the Bowder Stone, near the village of Grange, then it is probably aged 452 million years, modern history of which is not even a blip on the radar of its lifetime. The stone can appear stranded on the shore, or even fully submerged under water. No matter the season, it makes for great photo opportunities, with a backdrop of the Derwent Fells and the Borrowdale valley beyond.

Across the water is Rampsholme Island, and beyond that, the larger St. Herbert's Island (see picture). The National Trust owns all four of the main islands on Derwentwater, the others being Derwent Island and Lord's Island, both with interesting histories of their own. Boat users are welcome to land on Rampsholme Island, however, overnight camping is not allowed. Regularly you will see people canoeing to both islands to satisfy their curiosity, or simply to have a rest. St. Herbert's Island was once the home of Anglo-Saxon priest and hermit, Herbert of Derwentwater, who must have led an incredibly isolated life. There are scant remains of his hermitage and very little else to see. Yet, both islands are covered with trees and vegetation, giving the visitor a little respite from the summer sun on the rare occasions the Lake District enjoys a mini heat wave. The other, lesser known island, is the Scarf Stones. Nothing grows here. It is a tiny protuberance of dirt and rocks, the visibility of which is dependent on the seasons and, like the Hundred Year Stone, the level of the lake. It can become submerged and all but disappear.

Access to Calfclose Bay is good even though the Keswick Launch does not stop there. Many people will walk from Keswick, which is a comfortable 30 minute stroll on easy-going footpaths. Others will park at Great Wood car park opposite and cross the B5289. But, considering the jetty at Ashness Gate is only about a 15 minute walk away, this makes another suitable option. The footpath here is part of the ten-mile circular path around the lake, all of which is well-maintained and suited to many ability groups. Calfclose Bay is particularly well suited to picnics and taking a time-out to enjoy the spectacular views all round, including the popular Cat Bells and Maiden Moor. The shoreline is pebble, and typically not conducive to lying on, many people preferring camping chairs, and a plethora of other camping equipment to make their stay more comfortable. There will, of course, be those willing to brave the cold of the water. Non-powered boating and water sports seems to be the preferred choice for a lot of visitors, with inflatable canoes being a popular choice.

References

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