Cumbria is mostly known for being home to the Lake District National Park, which houses all of England’s highest mountains, along with gorgeous waterfalls and England’s largest lake. If you’re a film buff, the town of Carnforth is known as the setting for the film Brief Encounter (the train station is still there, set up to be an old-fashioned tea room for tourists to remember the scenes).
Cumbria is home to lots of beautiful wildlife including red squirrels (good habitat is the key, grey squirrels are not to blame), birds of prey (ospreys, kestrels, buzzards, eagles), red deer and otters (and even a seal colony on the coast). Find more ways to help your local wildlife rescue and animal shelter.
Coniston Old Man (Sandra Hugill) is one of the highest fells in the Lake District, which is one of the more difficult walks. It’s not too far from Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. It’s home to Broad Crag Tarn (the highest standing water) and Wastwater (the deepest lake in England).
Skiddaw (Sandra Hugill) is a beautiful mountain covered with grass, heather, scree and bracken, and is far away from most other mountains. However like most mountains in this area, it’s fairly difficult to climb, due to the local strong winds.
A Guide to the Lake District, Naturally
The Lake District is one of England’s 15 national parks, and contains most of the country’s largest lakes and highest mountains. Mostly a rural area in northwest England, there are a few towns but nothing major. William Wordsworth came from Grasmere, and you can still visit his old house if on holiday. This smallish area (just 34 miles) is located entirely within the county of Cumbria, with all land in England higher than 3000 feet above sea level, found here.
This is an area with more sheep than people, although the wet weather can play havoc with their feet, and it’s not unusual to see limping sheep, as open sores take a long time to dry out. Farmers reading this post can link to the post on lots of ways to help sheep, for ideas to help. Some farmers still count their sheep using the ancient Celtic system of Yan Tan Tethera. There is no number larger than 20, so the farmer counts to 20 then moves his hand to another mark on his crook (5 score sheep = 100 sheep).
Lost in the Lakes is a book about a 379 mile walk in the Lake District. Join travel writer Tom for a lakeland adventure like no other, exploring towering mountains, wide-open valleys and magnificent lakes. And stopping off at a cosy inn or two along the way!
Across a landscape that has inspired the Romantic poets, Tom takes in remote parts of the area that many tourists miss – and enjoys encounters with farmers, fell runners and fellow hikers, while staying in shepherds’ huts, bothies and old climbers’ hotels. He even goes for a (chilly!) dip in Derwentwater.
From Penrith to Ullswater (via Keswick, Cockermouth, Coniston, Grasmere and Windermere), Tom puts on his walking boots and sets forth along the trails, enjoying the dramatic scenery that attracts millions of visitors each year. Also read of 40 walks in the Lake District (a lovely pocket guide).
Jim Watson produces gorgeous local guidebooks, in case you’ve missed them. Raised in the Lake District, he began his career as an engineer and draughtsman before becoming an artist. Lake District visits this popular region with hundreds of beautiful watercolours. Another book visits Lakeland towns.
Wild Fell is a book by ecologist Lee Schoefield who is leading efforts to breathe life back into two hill farms and their 30 square kilometres of sprawling upland habitat. It was a tragic day when England’s last and lonely golden eagle died in the remote eastern fells of the Lake District. Informed by the land and the history and people who shaped it, Lee and his team are repairing damaged wetlands, meadows and woods. Each year, the landscape is becoming richer and wilder and able to withstand the shocks of a changing climate. But change is not always welcomed by some, and success relies on finding a balance between rewilding and respecting farming traditions. A story of ecosystem in recovery.
Monopoly is one of the world’s favourite board games, where you go around the board collecting property, play Chance and Community Chest cards, go to jail – and occasionally get out with a free card! But did you know that there are other versions, not just one for London? The Lakes has its own Herdy pewter sheep to lead you around! Keep small board game parts away from pets and children.
Cumbria is also home to the world’s favourite dessert of sticky toffee (date) pudding. Make your own plant-based version!
