Buttermere Bridge Reopens

One of the Lake District's most popular walking routes has reopened thanks to a generous donation by a Friends of the Lake District member and the hard work of the Lake District National Park Authority.

The Buttermere Dubbs Bridge had been closed or only temporarily open for a number of years following damage to the original bridge.

Poor weather conditions had initially hindered repair and replacement work earlier this year but thanks to more clement weather and to a generous donation made by Friends of the Lake District member Simon Smith in memory of his late wife Lynn, the route around Buttermere, crossing the bridge, is now permanently accessible once again.

Simon Smith on Dubbs Bridge

Simon said:

Lynn and I must have crossed the original bridge over 100 times together, so it is a wonderful project for me to fund in her memory. I'm grateful to Friends of the Lake District for finding such a fitting project to support.

It's been great following the progress in recent weeks and I must give tremendous thanks to the LDNPA team - Dan, Steve, Phil and Nick; not forgetting Pippin the dog. I've been astonished at how quickly the work has been completed, particularly given the wet August.

The circuit of Buttermere, one of the Lake District's most exquisite jewels, is fabulous in all weathers at all times of the year, with so many opportunities to linger, enjoy Buttermere's sylvan loveliness, and perhaps remember previous walks and company.

Plaque on Dubbs Bridge

Simon's generous donation and the resulting reinstatement of the bridge restores the circular route around Buttermere, as described in our walk Around Buttermere, removing the one mile detour required to circumvent it, opening up the path to the lake shore once more and some of the Lake District's most iconic views.

Restoration of this bridge also affects our walks Bleaberry Tarn above Buttermere and The Buttermere Edge which we had also had to modify to include a diversion around the closed bridge.

All three have now been updated to reflect the re-opening of the bridge.

Photos copyright Friends of the Lake District.

Tagged: news, walks

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