Buttermere is one of three lakes that grace this western-lying valley, the same glacier having carved out its near-neighbours, Crummock Water and Loweswater, several thousand years ago. The lake is arguably one of the district’s most beautiful and on a still morning, the scene of the Fleetwith Pike-Haystacks-Red Pike ridge reflected in its waters is breathtaking. Two well-known passes depart from Buttermere; Honister to the east and Newlands to the west. Both eventually take you to Keswick.