Surprise View
United Kingdom
You won’t get many views better than this. Perched high on an oak-lined cliff edge you will enjoy one of the best views in the Lake District. Surprise View is an absolute gem and offers stunning panoramic views across Derwent Water to the Skiddaw mountain range, Borrowdale Valley, the town of Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Solway and even the distant shores of Scotland (on a good day). The photo opportunities are fabulous!
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Surprise View, a location that truly earns its name with one of the most sudden and spectacular vistas in the Lake District National Park. Perched high above the Borrowdale Valley, this vantage point offers a panoramic…
Listen in the app2The Precipice — A Photographer’s Challenge
The precipice at Surprise View is both a breathtaking vantage point and a site of technical challenge for the modern landscape photographer. As you stand near the edge, notice the sheer drop straight down into the woods below. …
Listen in the app3Ashness Bridge — The Iconic Packhorse Span
A short walk or drive down from the viewpoint leads us to Ashness Bridge, arguably the most photographed bridge in the entire Lake District. This traditional stone packhorse bridge spans the Ashness Beck as it tumbles down from…
Listen in the app4Ashness Jetty — The Lakeside Landing
Descending further toward the shores of Derwent Water, we reach Ashness Jetty, also known as Ashness Landing. This wooden structure extends into the still waters of the lake, providing a point of access for the Keswick Launch and…
Listen in the app5Lodore Falls — The Victorian Spectacle
Nearby, the Lodore Falls provide a dramatic auditory and visual experience that captivated Victorian tourists and poets alike. The waterfall is formed by the Watendlath Beck as it drops 100 feet over a series of cascades into the…
Listen in the app6The Islands — Rampsholme and Beyond
From our vantage points along the shore, we can observe the islands of Derwent Water, each with its own history and character. Rampsholme Island, visible from Surprise View, is known for its distinctive shape and its role as a…
Listen in the app7Views to Bassenthwaite Lake
Looking north from the higher elevations near Surprise View, the horizon extends beyond Derwent Water to the distant glimmer of Bassenthwaite Lake. This is the only 'lake' in the Lake District by name—the others being meres or…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our visit to Surprise View and its surrounding treasures, we are left with a profound sense of the scale and beauty of the Borrowdale Valley. From the perilous edge of the precipice to the tranquil stones of…
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What is Surprise View?
Surprise View is a place in United Kingdom with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 54.5609, -3.1334 |
| Last updated |
