UKH

Hi Im after a bit of advice please.  I'm thinking of doig some climbs in Borrowdale including little chamonix, however, i'm not sure what the parking situation is.  Im going mid week to try and miss the crowds but where is the best place, thats open, to park?

The National Trust carparks are open, and a short walk from Shepherd's Crag.  Either...

The Kettlewell carpark on Derwent water -  https://goo.gl/maps/5QJmgSH4k13W99bb6  

The Bowderstone carpark - https://goo.gl/maps/EL5iSX4aZgJLdWKa6

Take a load of change to pay for parking (£7 I think....  who has change these days?) as you may not get phone signal at either so cannot use an App.  

Fantastic, thanks for that

Or join the NT & Park for free!

Can you walk over to Shepherds from the free carpark on the road at the bottom of Black Crag? Must be less than a km between them.

I’ve parked at Manesty a few times ( space for 3 cars ) and walked across....lovely walk with the crag in view the whole time.

I'm not sure there's a free carpark anymore.  The NT had their pay machines covered over and out of action for quite a while so you could park for free.  But that situation reverted a couple of weeks ago and the machines are now back in operation.  

The one at 54.54875° N, 3.15108° W . Didn't have a ticket machine on it a couple years ago. If it now does, then the NT have finally completed the borrowdale roadside dirt patch monopoly board and can start building hotels on them all.

Worth bearing in mind that half the Black Crag parking is blocked off atm. Not sure why, I'd heard something about rockfall risk but no idea if that's the case. Means you can only fit 3-4 cars in the parking now.

What  a good idea . I’ve climbed at Shepard’s probably100 s of times and parked at manesty lots of times ( 40/50 ) to walk to Chinese bridge and or the cafe with the kids ( perfect length for small kids with a reasonably priced ice cream in the middle ) but never connected the dots ! That’s what I’ll be doing from now on . Thank you 
 

Also consider Lodore hotel, the code for the barrier is printed on your receipt, so stop for a drink before or after. Limited opening currently but this will change. 

Very sad to see the old Shepherd's parking with just two cars in it on a sunny bank holiday yesterday. Was always happy to pay our way in the cafe or honesty box. Lodore Falls hotel was charging £20 to park for the day. 

We parked on the Watendlath road above the crag in a small lay-by beyond the Surprise View car park. It’s a very pleasant walk from there to the top of the crag (1.3km)

Andy

Why not try parking at Keswick Football Club (£3 per day) and catch the bus down the valley? Buses go about every 30 mins and it is a lot less hassle than searching (in vain) for the last parking spot in the valley. You can also get a bus over Honister (easier approach for Gillercomb Buttress) or down into Buttermere for a day on one of the fine crags over there, just check the return timetable from Buttermere.

The £20 is avoidable if you buy a tea/beer/meal. Your receipt has the code for the parking barrier printed on it. 

OK for a day out, you could also catch the boat. Less good for an after work trip.