Brothers Water is in the Hartsop valley in Upper Patterdale, just south of Ullswater. It is a small lake and was once called Broad Water. This walk begins from the car park at the north end of the lake. Start out by heading over Cow Bridge, which spans Goldrill Beck to the west side of Brothers Water, and follow the lakeside path south toward Hartsop Hall.
As you walk south, you are enclosed by the steep wooded fellside of Cofa Crag to the right and Brothers Water to the left. Despite being guided along a generous track, there is much to enjoy, including classic mature oak and beech trees. Listen closely for sounds in the trees, especially in spring, when bird species such as chaffinch, willow warbler, pied flycatcher, and redstart abound. Although becoming rarer, the area is also a notable haunt for the cuckoo.
The time passes quickly as you stroll along, and you will soon find yourself at the southern end of the lake near its feeder stream, Kirkstone Beck. Here, the tree shelter on the right clears, and wonderful northern views of the fells open up full on—predominantly High Hartsop Dodd, Middle Dodd, Caudale Moor, and Hartsop Dodd.
"Hartsop Hall, in the care of the National Trust, dates from the 16th century, formerly the home of the de Lancasters; in the 17th century it passed into the ownership of Sir John Lowther, a member of the family that later became Earl of Lonsdale. After that, it became used as an ordinary farmhouse. Local history relates that when the hall was extended in the 18th century, it was built across an ancient right-of-way, a right which at least one dalesman insisted on exercising by walking through the hall."
— Terry Marsh, Towns and Villages of Cumbria (Sigma Press, 1999)
Thankfully, the modern walk doesn't require hiking straight through the hall's private living quarters! Instead, the route turns from a southerly direction to track east along the access road from the hall toward the main road. Follow it toward Sykeside Farm, home to a camping and caravan site.
Walk past the campsite shop and bear left at the junction near the Brothers Water Hotel. From here, follow the signposted path toward Brothers Water to reach a track heading back to the main road. Before hitting the road, a gap in the stone wall allows access to the shoreline of Brothers Water—an ideal picnic spot if you've brought lunch along. If not picnicking, stay on the track straight to the road.
You are now on the roadside of the A592, which links Windermere and Ullswater (Patterdale) via the famous Kirkstone Pass. While usually quiet and driven with care, please treat this final section of the walk with utmost respect and caution, especially when walking with children.
Views remain spectacular right to the end of this lovely lake circuit. If you have time to spare, I recommend adding a short detour into Hartsop village, which is full of charming traditional cottages built from local Lakeland slate. An excellent finishing touch!
