Nestled not too deep into woodlands close to Derwentwater, a huge boulder lies waiting to be explored, climbed and awed at. This quirky tourist attraction was originally opened in 1798 by an affluent man named Joseph Pocklington who made the Lake District his home after leaving Nottinghamshire. Deciding to develop The Bowder Stone, he installed a ladder to the top to enable tourists to stand on the rock’s summit as well as a standing stone nearby. Today, the ladders have (thankfully) been replaced with some sturdier, more modern ones and you can often find climbers practicing their bouldering skills trying to climb their way up to the top if the conditions are right.
How did the Bowder Stone get there in the first place?
One argument is that it was left behind by glacier melt but more recently evidence seems to point towards it falling from the crag above and rolling to its final resting place.
How do I get to the Bowder Stone?
The Bowder Stone is the perfect place for a quick stop if you’re passing by Derwentwater as it lies only an easy 15-minute walk away from the large National Trust car park (CA12 5XA). It’s located back down the track towards the main road then off to the left, following the path through the woods. There’s also a bus stop by the path if you aren’t travelling by car.
A lovely little stop to include in your day!
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