Crow Park

Crow Park
Nearest settlement		Keswick
Owned by		Sir John and Lady Randles – Bequeathed to the National Trust in 1925
Opening times		24 hours / All year
Status		Open
Parking		Lakeside Car Park
Coordinates		54.596803 , -3.1415186
OS Grid Ref.		NY 2634 2300
what3words		overpaid.mason.ambushed

Crow Park is a lakeside green space in the town of Keswick, offering wide views across Derwentwater, Cat Bells and the Borrowdale Valley. Also prominent is Derwent Island, complete with an 18th century house, boathouse and manicured grounds, which is privately rented. The park is sandwiched between Isthmus Wood to the west and Hope Park to the north. Equally impressive are the views looking north towards Skiddaw.

The park provides a place for runners and other sporting activities, as well as a place to sit back and relax with a picnic. Be aware there may be sheep grazing from time to time, so this should be considered if you plan on using this space. In addition, various waterfowl swim and feed along the shore here.

The Derwentwater Walk, a ten mile circular route around the lake, can be started from Crow Park, and walked in either clockwise or anti-clockwise directions. It passes through multiple sites of interest along the route including Friar's Crag, The Ings, the Hundred Year Stone, Lodore Falls, Manesty Park, Brandlehow Park, Fawe Park and various bays that provide excellent viewing points across the lake.

Access to the park is via the B5289 (Borrowdale Road) and Lake Road, which leads directly to Lakeside Car Park where there is ample parking for all types of vehicles. Pass Hope Park on the right and the car park is further along on the left. Early arrival is advised as Keswick receives a large amount of daily visitors and parking is usually problematic from mid-morning onwards. If Lakeside is full, there are other options such as Central, Bell Close and Otley Road car parks.

Crow Park is opposite Lakeside Car Park and is impossible to miss. Head towards the Theatre by the Lake building and find the small metal gate leading to the park. There is a gravel path immediately after the gate. The park offers dramatic views in every direction.

National Trust

Crow Park is owned by the National Trust, acquired on 22 August, 1925. The land also includes Cockshot Wood and Castlehead Wood, all three totalling approximately 82 acres, given to the trust by Sir John and Lady Randles. The National Trust owns substantial tracts of land around Derwentwater, either gifted or purchased, and provides plenty of walking routes from level and easy-going gravel paths to the more rugged heights of Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, Walla Crag and Grange Fell.

Crow Park overlooking the Derwent Fells

View looking north towards a cloud-covered Skiddaw

References

If you spot any errors, or would like to include some additional information, please feel free to jump in and improve this article's content where needed.