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All the United Kingdom England Borrowdale The Bowder Stone
AO Edited

The Bowder Stone

A 2,000-ton rock resting in a state of a delicate balance.

Borrowdale, England

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Gavin
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The Bowder Stone   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
Bowder Stone, Lake District, England-LCCN2002696845   Postcard of the Bowder Stone from 1890
The Bowder Stone in 2019   anna01 / Atlas Obscura User
The Bowder Stone   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
The Bowder Stone   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
The Bowder Stone   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located near the River Derwent is the quirkiest tourist attraction in the Lake District. 

Standing around 29 feet (nine meters) high and 49 feet (15 meters) in diameter, there is some debate over whether this massive rock is a glacial erratic from Scotland or a huge piece of rock that fell from Bowder Crag above. 

Borrowdale was once littered with rocks and was avoided by travelers due to the difficult terrain. However, in the early 1800s, this enormous boulder was billed as a massive tourist attraction. 

It's rumored that shaking hands underneath this geological wonder brings good luck. 

Update as of September 2021: There is once again a fixed staircase/ladder that allows you to climb up the rock. This is metal, so be careful as it can be slippery when wet.

Related Tags

Nature Natural Wonders Geology

Know Before You Go

The Bowder Stone is an easy 15-minute walk along wide undulating paths from the car park. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Gavin

Edited By

katielou106, anna01

  • katielou106
  • anna01

Published

February 23, 2021

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Sources
  • https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale-and-derwent-water/features/the-bowder-stone
  • https://www.visitcumbria.com/kes/the-bowder-stone/
  • https://family-walks-pubs-lake-district.com/2017/05/14/bowder-stone-grange-fell-borrowdale/
  • https://www.hpb.co.uk/property-portfolio/merlewood/details/blog/1698-the-bowder-stone-in-cumbria
  • https://www.visitcumbria.com/kes/the-bowder-stone/
The Bowder Stone
B5289
CA12 5XA UK
Borrowdale, England, CA12
United Kingdom
54.537408, -3.154527
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Nearby Places

Millican Daltons Caves

Borrowdale, England

miles away

Hundred Year Stone

Keswick, England

miles away

Derwent Pencil Museum

Keswick, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Borrowdale

Borrowdale

England

Places 2

Nearby Places

Millican Daltons Caves

Borrowdale, England

miles away

Hundred Year Stone

Keswick, England

miles away

Derwent Pencil Museum

Keswick, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Borrowdale

Borrowdale

England

Places 2

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