Thirlmere combines a reservoir with hiking trails, a cycling route and historic buildings. This offers different perspectives for planning your trip: a circuit by the water, trails with a specific destination and the history of the reservoir. Swimming is not permitted in Thirlmere.

The reservoir and a changed valley

Thirlmere was created as a reservoir in the late Victorian era by joining two smaller lakes into a single reservoir. The dam, built in 1894, flooded the Thirlmere Valley, including the settlements of Armboth and Wythburn. Its history therefore includes both the joining of the lakes and the transformation of the inhabited valley.

Walking and cycling routes by destination

There is a circular walking trail at Thirlmere Reservoir. The Swirls Trail starts at the main Swirls car park, which has accessible toilets for trail users. The “Helvellyn from Thirlmere” route starts and ends in Thirlmere and follows the Helvellyn Gill Path to the summit of Helvellyn. The route to Dob Ghyll has a different destination: from Dob Gill Car Park, a footpath leads through woodland to the waterfalls. This lets you choose between the walking options based on your preferred destination—a circular reservoir trail, a summit route or a path to waterfalls.

For a cycling trip, the National Trust’s Wordsworth cycling trail crosses the Thirlmere Dam and runs along the lake’s western shore. The dam is therefore part of both the history of the reservoir and the route of this cycling trail. The walking trails and cycling route offer different ways to explore Thirlmere, without needing to combine them into one route.

Getting there by bus

Bus service 555 runs year-round from Kendal to Keswick along the A591 and stops at Swirls. Check the service timetable before travelling if you want to use this connection.

Architectural and cultural history

Wythburn Church is a parish church dating from 1640, built on the site of an earlier chapel. It is a Grade II listed building. The windows also have their own dates: the west window contains stained glass from 1888; the chancel has stained-glass windows by Henry Holiday from 1892 and Hugh Arnold from 1906. Comparing these dates distinguishes the age of the church from the later additions of the windows.

The Straining Well and Valve House was built between 1885 and 1894 for Thirlmere Reservoir. It is designed in the style of a mock castle. Its purpose and design sit side by side: the structure is part of the reservoir’s history and also has a castle-like form.

Another historic feature is Shoulthwaite Gill hillfort. Its defensive earthworks are particularly well preserved. Together with the church and the reservoir structures, the hillfort adds to the range of historical themes associated with Thirlmere.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Penrith, Lupton, How, Seascale, Flookburgh, Backbarrow, Longtown, Nether Wasdale

Return to the main travel overview: Cumbria.