Tag: Lake District

  • Saving the red squirrels of the Lake District

    While visiting Grasmere you may have spotted a number of red squirrels running in and around the village.

    Once a popular sight and the only native species in England, red squirrels have suffered a major decline. Since the introduction of the grey squirrel, red squirrels have dropped from around three and half million to an estimated one hundred and twenty thousand.

    Helping to protect the red squirrels are the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group, who work with Allan Bank to make Allan Bank their ideal home. Supplementing the red squirrel’s diet, Allan Bank puts out monkey nuts and sunflower seeds every morning into their special feeders. They help to monitor the population and keep an eye out for any sick or injured squirrels.

    As well as the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group, there are a number of groups in and surrounding Cumbria all with the same purpose to ‘protect the red squirrel’.

    To find your nearest group visit:

    http://www.northernredsquirrels.org.uk/nrs-groups/cumbria-groups/

    To find out more or to see how you can show your support visit:

    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/appeal/support-red-squirrels-in-the-lake-district

     

  • Otters in the Lake District

    Otters are considered to be England’s top predator, masterful at catching a variety of prey including fish and small birds. These semi – aquatic mammals are usually spotted playing in the rivers with their thick fur protecting them from the cold waters. Their webbed feet, dense fur (to keep them warm) and ability to close their eyes and nose underwater makes them well suited to life In the water. Otters have their cubs in underground burrows known as a ‘holt’. Excellent and lithe swimmers, cubs are introduced and adjusted to the water by 10 weeks of age. The length of an otter is 90cm with a tail of 45cm and has an average life span of up to 10 years.

    Otter

    During the last century otters faced extinction, but their numbers have steadily increased due to the clear up of waterways, certain pesticides being banned, and conservation projects being set up.

    Otters can often be seen playing in the rivers that feed the lakes such as Derwentwater near Keswick. There have also been other sightings including the River Kent by Kendal and around Lake Windermere.

  • Bowness-on-Windermere

    9.2 miles away

    Walking distance: 3hr 5 mins

    Buses: Grasmere Centre to Bowness Pier – 599 or 555 every 20 minutes

    Bowness–on–Windermere lies on the shore of Lake Windermere, halfway between Waterhead at the north end and Lakeside at the south end. The town was developed after the opening of the railway line from Oxenholme and Kendal to Windermere in 1847 as Bowness was the nearest accessible point on the lake. Now the town is a popular tourist attraction with sailing and watersports available to enjoy. For those wanting to relax, the pier has some stunning scenery of the lake and Cumbrian fells.

    Within in the town, Victorian influence can be seen with large residences overlooking the lake. In the late 19th century wealthy businessmen from Lancashire built large houses overlooking the lake which have now been converted into hotels. The Belsfield Hotel that overlooks Bowness Bay was once home to Henry Schneider, Chairman of the Barrow Steelworks. St Martin’s Church is the parish Church of Bowness and is also worth a visit. The area behind the church is the oldest part of Bowness with a delightful web of narrow streets known as Lowside. The streets give visitors and residents an idea of what the village was like before the railway.

  • Rydal

    Walking distance: 2.2 miles - 47 minutes

    Rydal is a small village that lies along the main road between Ambleside and Grasmere. Rydal was originally part of Grasmere until it gained parish status in 1826. The name Rydal comes from the Old Norse meaning ‘valley where rye was grown’.

    Rydal Water lies between Nab Scar and Loughrigg Fell and is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District at 3/4 of a mile long. However, it remains very popular because of its connections to poet William Wordsworth. Wordsworth and his family lived in Rydal Hall till his death in 1850. The rash field next to the churchyard is known as 'Dora's Field', named after Wordsworth's daughter, Dora. Daffodils have been planted in the field in memory of Dora, who died in 1847.

  • Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling

    Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling is a traditional sport that takes place during summer shows across the National Park. It was initially bought over by the Vikings and the earliest recorded match was in 1785 in Windermere near to Rawlinson’s Nab.

    Wrestlers taking part wear the traditional costume of white long johns, embroided velvet trunks and a white vest. The wrestlers ‘tekk hod’ – take hold and grasp each other with their chin on the other’s shoulder. The first person to touch the ground with any part of their body, apart from the soles of their feet is the loser. The contest is judged on the best of three falls, where breaking hold is the equivalent of a fall.

  • Red Deer

    Although associated with the Highlands of Scotland, there is a healthy population of Red Deer within The Lake District.

    The Red Deer is the largest deer in the UK and is often found on moorland, mountains and grassland near to woodland. They are identified by their dark - russet brown fur with a paler buff rump patch and a pale tail. Male Red Deer have large branching antlers which increase in size as they get older. A male red deer is called a ‘stag’ and females are called a ‘hind’. During the breeding season males bellow to proclaim their territory and will fight over the females, sometimes injuring themselves with their sharp antlers.

    Red Deer can be spotted at Grizedale forest near Windermere and Foulshaw Moss in the South East of the Lake District.

  • St Oswald's Church

    St Oswald’s Church is the parish church of Grasmere. The church is named after St Oswald, a 7th century Christian King of Northumberland. The parish church of Grasmere, Rydal and Langdale have their own sperate gate to the church yard. St Oswald's Church is the resting place of William Wordsworth and his family. Near the organ is a glass case containing Wordsworth’s prayer book and the tombstones of Wordsworth and his family can be found in the church graveyard. St Oswald's offers worship, music, poetry and celebrations today, as well as superb views of the fells that can be seen through the clear east window.

    To find out more about St Oswald’s Church visit https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/12407/

  • Red Bank from White Moss

    Located in the beautiful Lake District we are surrounded by a number of breath – taking walks for you to explore.

    Take a morning stroll to Red Bank from White Moss near Ambleside. The walk takes you along Loughrigg Terrace and through the beautiful woodland of Red Bank. On return come across the calm waters of Grasmere and Grasmere Lake. Grasmere is one of the most popular villages in the lakes and is home to lake poet William Wordsworth. Loughrigg Terrace is located between Grasmere and Rydal and is known for its stunning views of bluebells between spring and summer.

    For a further insight into this walk and directions please visit

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_145.html

  • Loughrigg Tarn

    Take in the stunning views of the Langdale Pikes with a walk to Loughrigg Tarn.

    On route to Loughrigg Tarn you will come across the other side of Loughrigg Fell. The walk has some stunning views of The Langdale Pikes, Helm Crag, Windermere and Rydal Caves.

    The Langdale Pikes can be seen within the surrounding hills of Langdale. Loved by walkers and Alfred Wainwright the Pikes include Pavey Ark, Thunacar Knot, Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle. Helm Crag is situated to the north of Grasmere and is perfect for those who enjoy a shorter walk. The rocks on the summit have various names “The Lion and Lamb”, “The Howitzer” or “The Old Lady Playing the Organ”.

    Rydal Caves are situated on Loughrigg Fell and are a man-made cavern which was known as Loughrigg Quarry. Over a hundred years ago the caves were a busy working quarry supplying high quality roofing slates to the people in the village.

    As well as being loved by those visiting or living in the lakes Loughrigg Tarn was a favoured place of the poet William Wordsworth.

    For a further insight into this walk, including directions please visit:

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_140.html

  • Loughrigg Fell

    Located in the beautiful Lake District we are lucky to be surrounded by a number of breath-taking walks such as Loughrigg Fell.

     Loughrigg Fell is on the outskirts of Ambleside and is a perfect walk for superb views over Grasmere and Rydal water. The fell is surrounded by open water and the River Rothay can be seen to the north.

    Starting in the popular town of Ambleside the walk takes you over the top of Loughrigg Fell, along the airy Loughrigg Terrace and the permissive path to Rydal Cave.

    Rydal Cave is a man made quarry which is known for its’s high quality roofing slates in the 19thcentury. The cave today is visited frequently by walkers who are advised to take care as in recent years rocks have started to fall from the ceiling. Over two hundred years ago the cave was a busy quarry known as Loughrigg Quarry.

    For a further insight into this walk, including directions please visit:

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_141.html

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