Tag: walks

  • Alfred Wainwright - Fell walker of the lakes

    While exploring the lakes it is almost impossible not to hear something of Alfred Wainwright. But who was he?

    Alfred Wainwright was born on 17th January 1907 in the mill town of Blackburn. Despite having a troubled childhood Wainwright qualified as an accountant in 1941and worked in the village of Kendal. During his time off Alfred would go for long walks amongst the surrounding landscape of the lakes.

    Alfred Wainwright

    In 1930 at the age of 23 Wainwright visited The Lake District for the first time. Travelling by bus from Blackburn he travelled to Windermere with his cousin Eric Beardsall. On arrival they climbed the hill at Orrest Head which is situated on the northern edge of Windermere. Shortly after climbing the hill Wainwright wrote about his adventure “Orrest Head cast a spell that changed my life’. This was the start of many adventures to come.

    View from the tope of Orrest Head

    Over the years Wainwright wrote many books describing the summits and views of the Lakeland Fells. One of his best - known volumes ‘Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells’, is a series of books describing the natural features, and views from the summits of 214 Lakeland fells. Consisting of seven volumes the books describe the eastern fells, the central fells, the southern fells and the northern fells. The books were very popular and still are today with many walkers. More books followed including guides to other areas of Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales.

    Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells - Alfred Wainwright

    One of the most popular is the “Coast to Coast” walk from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. This was a walk designed by Wainwright himself and set out in his pictorial guide in 1973. The 190 - mile walk was voted the second best walk in the world in 2003 by a panel of experts and was featured by Julia Bradbury in her 2009 series for the BBC. The walk has since become very popular with more and more people taking on Wainwrights popular route.

    To find out more about the ‘Coast to Coast’ walk visit:

    https://www.wainwright.org.uk/coasttocoast.html

    During his time Wainwright recorded and illustrated over 214 fells in the lakes. To see all 214 fells listed by Alfred Wainwright visit

    https://www.thewhitespider.com/info/wainwrights

    Alfred Wainwright died in 1991 and his ashes were scattered on his favourite mountain Haystacks by the quiet waters of Innominate Tarn. This was Alfred’s wish described in his book ‘Fellwanderer’.

    To find out more about Alfred Wainwright visit

    https://www.wainwright.org.uk/about_aw.html

  • Grisedale Tarn

    Here in the lakes we are surrounded by some breath - taking walks for you to explore such as Grisedale Tarn.

    Grisedale Tarn sits high in the mountains at the head of three valleys. Surrounding the tarn is the great Helvellyn ridge, Dollywaggon Pike to the north and the bulks of Fairfield and Seat Sandal to the south. Dollywaggon Pike stands on the main pike of the Helvellyn range in the Eastern Fells between Thirlmere and Ullswater.

    The best place to start this walk is the other side of Dummail Rise. According to its history and legend a great battle was fought in 945AD between the Saxon King and Celtic King Dummail. Dummail was killed and his crown taken up the steep path alongside Grisedale Beck and cast into the tarn. This then fell into the Saxons hands where it was never to be seen again. It was said the crown was enchanted and gave the wearer a right to the Kingdom of Cumberland.

    For a further insight into this walk and directions please visit:

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_57.html

  • Stockghyll Force - Ambleside

    Located in the beautiful Lake District we are lucky to be surrounded by a number of breath-taking waterfalls such as Stockghyll Force.

     A short and sweet walk from the heart of Ambleside. The waterfall is known as a hidden gem where it is invisible on a map but easy to find if you know the way. The stream that starts the walk can be found next door to Cunningham’s outdoor shop located in Ambleside.

    Stockghyll force flows into the River Rothay which drains eventually into Windermere. Windermere has a heavenly industrialised past and used to be nicknamed Rattle Rhyll. Many of the old mill buildings can still be seen in Ambleside with some of them now seen as local shops. The old mill buildings used to produce bobbins for silk and cotton thread in the process of making wool.

    To find the falls can be difficult to find although a friendly local will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

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

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_132.html

  • Grasmere and Rydal Water

    Located in the bustling village of Grasmere we are surrounded by a number of walks for you to explore.

    On this walk come across some stunning views and landmarks of Grasmere and Rydal water. The walk takes you on The Coffin Route which was the route taken to carry the dead to St Oswald’s church in Grasmere. Grasmere is one of the most popular villages in the lakes and is home to lake poet William Wordsworth.

    Rydal water is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District but makes up for it with its connections to lake poet William Wordsworth. Steps leading up to the lake come across ‘Wordsworth’s seat’ a favourite viewpoint of Wordsworths. The lake is tightly enclosed between the steep slopes of Loughrigg Fell and the Fairfield Forceshoe.

    For a further insight into this walk and directions please visit

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_76.html

  • Silver How

    Have a couple of hours spare or want to make the most of the weather, why not take a walk to Silver How.

    Starting from Grasmere village the walk passes by Allan Bank, the temporary home of poet William Wordsworth and his family. On route climb through towering juniper bushes and cross a high plateau taking in the stunning views of The Langdale Pikes, Bow Fell and the Band, Pike of Bisco, and Helm Crag. Bow Fell is one of the popular fells which features a circular route via the Band. Pike of Bisco lies between the summit of Wrynose Pass and the Oxendale branch of Great Langdale. The northwest end of the summit once had a large cairn but now a much smaller cairn stands in its place.

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

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_54.html

  • The Coffin Route

    Take in the stunning views of Rydal Water and Grasmere with a walk along the coffin route.

     The coffin route is a short walk that circles Grasmere and Rydal water. Taking you high above the fells the walk encounters lovely views of Rydal water and Grasmere.

    Rydal water is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District but is very popular with visitors and locals due to its’s Wordsworth connections. Steps leading up to the western end of the lake come across ‘Wordsworth’s seat’ a viewpoint favoured by the poet. Walking around Rydal water you will come across Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, both homes to William Wordsworth. Grasmere is one of Cumbria’s most popular villages with gift shops, places to eat, and places to stay. The village is known for its connections to lake poet William Wordswortrh who lived in the village with his sister Dorothy for nine years.

    The walk gets it’s title as it was the route used to convey coffins on their final journey to St. Oswald’s Church in Grasmere. The route these days is a little livelier with pleasant views along the way.

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

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_76.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

  • Launchy Gill

    Take in the sounds of a cascading waterfall with a walk to Launchy Gill waterfall.

     This is short walk to the waterfalls of Launchy Gill on the west side of Thirlmere reservoir. Thirlmere reservoir is home to Thirlmere lake which was originally two small lakes after it was purchased in 1889. Since then the area has had a dam which has led Thirlmere to become one vast resovior. In the process the settlements of Armboth and Wythburn were submerged with only one building remaining.

    The best time to see Launchy Gill is after a heavy down pour of rain where the water cascades down the waterfall. Although do take care as the stones and path can become slippery in wet conditions.

    In more calm conditions the waterfall and the surrounding landscape would be a good place to explore. Just after the bridge higher on the hill side is an interesting looking boulder that is known as ‘The Tottling Stone’. The stone stands out from the tress and is well known to those who visit Thirlmere and its reservoir.

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

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_95.html

     

     

  • Alcock Tarn

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

    A short and steep walk the tarn is located high above the fells. The tarn lies behind a small crag called Grey Crag perched on the other side of Grasmere. While walking in the fells it isn’t unusual to come across crags.

    Alcock tarn is just 2m deep which is shallow compared to other tarns within the lakes. Originally known as Butter Crags Tarn it was enlarged in Victorian times by Mr Alcock of Hollins in Grasmere who stocked the tarn with brown trout.

    Getting to Alcock Tarn can be difficult in some places but worthwhile when reaching the summit. The walk passes some stunning views and landmarks such as The Wordsworth Trust Shop and Dove Cottage. Both the shop and the cottage are dedicated to the life and work of poet William Wordsworth.

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

    https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_73.html