The Bowder Stone
The Bowder Stone
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksGeologic Formations

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  • Mel c
    Carlisle, United Kingdom283 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely views
    We visited the stone when staying in Borrowdale, the stone is half an hour walk along the road or a three / four minute drive from Borrowdale. There is a car park off the main road and a 1/4 mile gentle walk to the stone itself. We left here late morning and it was getting quite busy To get a picture of the size of the boulder we took a photo! As different angles see it slightly differently. You are able to climb up the steps and there is a little platform to stand to take in the view at the top if you don’t fancy climbing up higher! The top of the boulder had a smooth surface so lots of footsteps have been there over the years. Just as we were leaving groups of climbers were meeting in the area After the visit we travelled onto honister pass
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 10, 2023
  • AlbertSalichs
    Manresa, Spain11,524 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Curious big stone in the forest
    The Bowser Stone is a big stone located in a forest, in Lake District National Park, in the North of England. It is a big stone known because it is originally a Scotland stone, but the powder of a glacier dragged this stone to the North of England. Nowadays, it is possible going up to the stone thanks to a metallic staircase. Interesting and curious place.
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 15, 2023
  • epemberton
    North Yorkshire, United Kingdom214 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting rock
    National trust pay and display car park which is free for members. Very soggy Friday morning visit, only a few other cars there when we arrived. Looped around via King’s Howe, bracken was out in full force and over the path and soaked us despite our waterproofs, we were wishing we’d just gone directly to the stone! The Bowder Stone itself is impressive but didn’t hang around for long, being dripping wet and desperate for a hot lunch haha!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 16, 2023
  • Jane W
    Wales, United Kingdom8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Luckily it was quite
    Disappointed by the cost of the car park so parked in the layby on the main road. Short walk to the stone, heavy rain in the morning must have put everyone off as we were the only people here and it was great. Doesn't keep you occupied for long, we walked out in the opposite direction and went towards the river before heading back to the car to add some time on.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 20, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles217 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
78
Average
59
Poor
5
Terrible
2

AB
67 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Very breath-taking. Looked amazing. I didn't climb it but looked. Short distance from the car park. Reason why it didn't get a 5 star was the parking cost was huge. If that was reduced I'd give it a 5.
Written October 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jane W
Wales, UK8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Disappointed by the cost of the car park so parked in the layby on the main road.
Short walk to the stone, heavy rain in the morning must have put everyone off as we were the only people here and it was great.
Doesn't keep you occupied for long, we walked out in the opposite direction and went towards the river before heading back to the car to add some time on.
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Noshaba O
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
It was amazing
Easy 10 minute walk from car park
You can spot people rock climbing
Can walk beyond stone
The whole area is extremely beautiful
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

epemberton
North Yorkshire, UK214 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
National trust pay and display car park which is free for members. Very soggy Friday morning visit, only a few other cars there when we arrived. Looped around via King’s Howe, bracken was out in full force and over the path and soaked us despite our waterproofs, we were wishing we’d just gone directly to the stone! The Bowder Stone itself is impressive but didn’t hang around for long, being dripping wet and desperate for a hot lunch haha!
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain11,524 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Friends
The Bowser Stone is a big stone located in a forest, in Lake District National Park, in the North of England. It is a big stone known because it is originally a Scotland stone, but the powder of a glacier dragged this stone to the North of England. Nowadays, it is possible going up to the stone thanks to a metallic staircase. Interesting and curious place.
Written July 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mel c
Carlisle, UK283 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Friends
We visited the stone when staying in Borrowdale, the stone is half an hour walk along the road or a three / four minute drive from Borrowdale. There is a car park off the main road and a 1/4 mile gentle walk to the stone itself. We left here late morning and it was getting quite busy
To get a picture of the size of the boulder we took a photo! As different angles see it slightly differently. You are able to climb up the steps and there is a little platform to stand to take in the view at the top if you don’t fancy climbing up higher! The top of the boulder had a smooth surface so lots of footsteps have been there over the years.
Just as we were leaving groups of climbers were meeting in the area
After the visit we travelled onto honister pass
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sharpecoalaston
Sheffield, UK8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
The Bowder Stone is a large lava boulder, that fell 200 metres from the Bowder Crag on Kings How between 13,500 and 10,000 years ago. You'll be amazed!
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

globetrotter007
lancashire42 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
Well it is a big rock dropped out of a glacier I assume. But in honesty much ado about not a lot and spoiled by the group of boulderers with kit and carrier bags strewn about like a jumble sale.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dawn B
Leeds49 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Friends
Please be aware that despite the NT saying it is wheelchair accessible, you would need superman strength to push someone up the path in places or indeed to hold them back on the way back down! I have a Pride Fusion powerchair which isn't a true off road chair but which copes with a lot more than many more indoor style scooters and chairs. I did manage to get both there and back(!) but it was a bit hairy at times, especially descending on a steep section with a lot of loose stuff on the surface.
If you're disabled, don't park in the car park, there is some off road parking by the start of the path.
The photo wasn't taken on a steep bit - my friends were far too busy trying to keep out of my way!
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Crusty C
Cockermouth, UK9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Friends
It's a really nice big stone. One of the biggest stones I have ever seen. And, this is a good bit, you can go up to the top using some steps. Then when you are at the top, you can turn round and go back down again. It was amazing, nothing like going up the stairs at home.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Bowder Stone - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Bowder Stone