Lake District – TRAVEL WORDS

A – Z of Locations: U is for Ullswater

During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.

U is for Ullswater

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District and stretches over 8 miles from Pooley Bridge in the north to Glenridding. We arrived there from Patterdale after driving over the Kirkstone Pass.

The lake is shaped like a crooked finger, with high fells surrounding the Glenridding end and rolling farmland to the north.

Beda Fell and Sleet Fell opposite (right)

Ullswater was described by William Wordsworth as “the happiest combination of beauty and grandeur which any of the Lakes afford.”

And it is here in 1802 that he wrote his most famous poem “Daffodils” after a walk through Gowbarrow Park with his sister Dorothy.

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Aira Force is on the north side of the lake, a 20m multiple waterfall with viewing bridges above and below to get close to the thundering water safely. It was the inspiration for three other Wordsworth poems, including the “Somnambulist”.

As you can expect the area is popular with fell walkers with many water activities available such as sailing, canoeing and kayaking. There are also steamers around the lake on either a full return or one way cruise departing from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge (takes 1 hour). You can hop on and off at any of the four piers around the lake.

A – Z of Locations: K is for Kirkstone Pass

K is for Kirkstone Pass

The Kirkstone Pass with an altitude of 1,489 feet is the Lake District’s highest pass that is open to motor traffic. The A592, which follows the route of a drover’s road used by farmers, runs from Windermere to Patterdale, but we took the short three mile winding road from Ambleside through the mountains, known as ‘The Struggle’ which leads to the Kirkstone Pass Inn.

The steep twisty road is totally paved but curvy, narrow and very steep, hitting a harsh 17% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Due its steepness it was traditionally known as ‘The Struggle’.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn stands close to the summit of the pass. Formerly an important coaching inn, it now caters primarily for tourists. It is the third highest public house in England.

Continuing past the inn towards Ullswater, you find yourself looking at this spectacular view.

Brothers Water is in the Hartsop valley and is a small lake in the eastern region of the Lake District. Once called Broad Water, it lies at the northern end of Kirkstone Pass, affording picturesque views on the descent towards Patterdale.

The Pass is only to be driven in good weather. It can get dangerous in the winter when covered with snow and ice.

A – Z of Locations: G is for Grasmere

G is for Grasmere

Is there any landscape more beautiful in England than the Lake District? Known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations. Throw in a few market towns, lakeside walks and cruises, good food and fresh air. Lots of fresh air.

It has links with the Lake Poets: William and Dorothy Wordsworth lived in Grasmere for 14 years and called it “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”

For a walk around Grasmere click here

Black and White Sunday: Countryside (and an ideal dwelling)

countyside-with-a-structure — Grasmere ‘Cottage’

The Lake District lies in north-west England and is one of the most beautiful regions in the country, if you like lakes and hills. High hills as seen behind this pretty house which is located on the banks of Grasmere lake. Surrounded by a pretty woodland garden, this sturdy stone-built house has curved sash windows, an extended roofline and a covered verandah. I could see myself sitting on that verandah on a swing seat piled high with cushions, a cat curled up in the sunny spot, a table cluttered with garden magazines, potted plants and coffee cups…

countyside-with-a-structure-2 — Lambs gambolling in the fields

…admiring the view

countyside-with-a-structure-3 — Lake Grasmere

Please visit Paula to see other representations of this week’s challenge.

Circumnavigating Grasmere Lake

Whilst in the Lake District last month – time flies – we did a couple of lakeside walks. One, around the pretty picture postcard village of Grasmere is about 3 miles long which is long enough for me, especially as on this day, rain threatened. The lake is one of the smallest and a full circuit should not take long unless, like me, you stop to take dozens of photographs. The start and end of the walk is on the road, but it is fairly level once you reach the lake shore and there is a lovely lakeside beach at the southern end.

After wandering around the lovely village for half an hour or so, we headed off along Red Bank at the west of the village (near the church) and up hill where stunning homes nestle amongst the woodland filled with vibrant pinks and mauves of rhododendrons.

Where fayries wander

Selma and Siri's Lakeland cousins perhaps? — Selma and Siri’s Lakeland cousins perhaps?

and bright yellow Welsh poppies huddle alongside the hedgerows. In fact I am reminded of Wales here. Though it feels lighter somehow.

Red Bank

Beautiful Woodland

Pretty cottage

The Garden House

One, the wooden Garden House, appealed to me, but I dare say the price is high as well as the terraced garden, but oh, what a view.

The road continued meandering around bends, with no sight of a lake.

Then, a glimpse, through the trees and not long after we found the rough track leading down to the shoreline.

Careful with those loose stones

A neat track to the shore

The views once we reached the shore were amazing. Lush green fells rearing up all the way around the lake, the village now shrouded in cloud and to the south, just a glimpse of the beach we were heading to.

And neat wooden boardwalks to help us safely over the streams that feed into the lake.

Boadwalk

A family of shovellers

Lakeside Path

The path follows the shoreline until you reach the southern end, where you head up slightly into woodland, before coming out onto the beach. This must be a lovely place for a picnic in the summer months. It was, however, a little drizzly today.

But with beautiful reflections in the mirror-like surface

We found more people at this end of the lake (and discovered later that there is a car-park not too far away), some sitting admiring the view, others walking their dogs, and other fit people climbing up the fell behind us.

Now we had to decide which way to go. There was no obvious sign, so we headed over the wooden bridge and into the woodland. Only to get lost. Later we realised that we should have simply followed the path alongside the river as that led to the road and car-park. It was awfully wet though.

Into the wood

Finally, after doubling back on ourselves a couple of times, we found a way out of the wood and onto the very busy A591 road which leads to Windermere. Fortunately we only had a few metres to walk before hitting the pavement which took us back into Grasmere. Can you spot that lovely house overlooking the lake?

A last view of the lake at the northern end.

If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.