Enjoy one of our up and coming events!
Book on an eventGetting outside for exercise is of course important, but please don't take any unnecessary risks, especially in the cold and icy weather.
By staying safe and staying local you can help reduce the pressure on our emergency services.
Help keep our emergency staff and hospital beds free for those that need them most.
Check how the coronavirus rules affect the Lake District National Park
As well as being within the Lake District National Park, Bassenthwaite has special protection as a National Nature Reserve. It's a really special lake for wildlife, home to ospreys that swoop down and fish from the water during the summer and many other flora, insects, birds and small mammals all year round.
It's a wonderful place for some quiet enjoyment, as there are no motor craft allowed on the water. Sailing, rowing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing and swimming are all allowed on the lake. We issue permits for most of these activities, so that we have a good understanding of how and when people are visiting this area, and the money raised goes back into helping us protect and conserve the lake to benefit its wildlife.
If you want to visit Bassenthwaite and get out on the water, you will need a permit.
▼ Buy a permit for fishing or boating
The map below shows the 2 no boating zones on Bassenthwaite, areas of the shore that are privately owned, public access areas and visitor facilites.
Please make sure you are aware of the Small Lakes bye laws that apply to anyone on the water at Bassenthwaite and the National rod fishing byelaws that apply to all fishing at Bassenthwaite
Please buy a permit online and keep a copy of the email permit you recieve, either digitally or printed out, so you can show it to our ranger patrols on your visit. Your email will also have a copy of the Bassenthwaite Lake map.
We ask all visitors to Bassenthwaite to respect social distancing, and please respect other visitors and staff and be kind and patient at all times.
All visitors can help to prevent the spread of freshwater invasive species by following a simple three step process every time we leave any pond, stream or lake…. Check, clean and dry. Find out more about biosecurity for boat users, anglers and swimmers on the CFINNS site.
You will need a fishing permit for fishing from the shore or on the water. You will also need one of the boating permits below if you want to fish from a paddlecraft or boat. Under 16s are allowed to fish for free without a permit.
1 day: £7
7 days: £20
1 month: £30
Buy a Bassenthwaite Lake fishing permit online
You will need a rowing boat permit to take a rowing boat onto the lake. You will need a fishing permit as well if you want to fish from your boat.
1 day: £20
7 days: £40
1 month: £55
Buy a Bassenthwaite Lake rowing boat permit online
You will need a kayak, canoe or paddleboad permit for each craft you take onto the water. You will need a fishing permit as well if you want to fish from your paddlecraft.
1 day: £6
7 days: £20
1 month: £40
Buy a Bassenthwaite Lake kayak, canoe or paddleboard permit online
You will need a sailing boat and dinghy permit for each craft you take onto the water. You will need a fishing permit as well if you want to fish from your boat or dinghy.
1 day: £10
7 days: £30
1 month: £60
Buy a Bassenthwaite Lake sailing boat permit online
We have boat stands available at Peel Wyke and Beck Wythop. Send us your details and we'll contact you to discuss your needs and issue your stand and licence.