Cumbria is a large county and is mostly rural, outside its one city of Carlisle. Most of this beautiful county is taken up by the Lake District (England’s largest National Park) and outside of tourist season, has more sheep than people. It’s also home to (along with Rutland) England’s main population of wild ospreys, and birthplace of the world’s favourite pudding (sticky toffee).
There are lots of literary links here – this area was home to both Wordsworth and his daffodils – and Beatrix Potter, who left her estate to the National Trust (she was an expert botanist, as well as children’s author and illustrator). Of course, the area has also recently been in the news, due to raw sewage pollution issues on Lake Windermere and surrounding streams and rivers.
The pretty seaside coastal village of St Bees forms the beginning of Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast walk (which ends when you paddle your toes in the sea in Robin Hood’s Bay on East Yorkshire’s coast). And this is the county that contains all of England’s highest mountains from Old Man Coniston to Scafell Pike.
Cumbria has six times more sheep than people!
In winter, the population reverses, going back to more sheep than humans! Cumbria has six times more of our woolly friends – 3 million of them! These amusing creatures are also intelligent: they recognise up to 50 people for up to 2 years, and know when you are smiling at them!
Leave sheep be, as they easily spook and miscarry. Herdwick sheep are suited to the isolated Cumbrian Fells climate, counted by farmers using the yan-tan-tethera method, a rhyme that uses rounds of 20 (also used in ancient times to count knitting stitches!)
Always follow the Countryside Code to keep dogs and livestock safe. Learn how to right an overturned sheep or it will die (hold upright until rain has drained off, to prevent it happening again).
In Cumbria, it rains – and rains!
If you’ve never visited the Lake District, then you don’t really know rain! Whilst say on the south coast, it can pour in the morning and the pavement is dry by mid-afternoon. In the Lake District, it rains – and rains – and rains! On a serious note, this plays havoc with farmers, who are in a constant battle with preventing footrot in their sheep, as the grass never dries out.
Blunt Umbrellas are built to last for England’s seriously wild weather, and also include free repairs for 2 years. They were invented by an engineer who noticed that most umbrellas are little more than ‘rags on sticks’. His umbrellas last until you lose them, with a super-strong, fully-tensioned design that also don’t poke your eyes! They won’t even won’t (usually) turn inside out. And if they do, just flip it back without any harm.
If caught in a thunderstorm, keep a safe distance from trees and metal objects (umbrellas, golf clubs, motorbikes, wheelchairs, tent poles). Stay inside cars (fabric tops could catch fire, if struck). If exposed, squat close to the ground with hands on knees, and tuck head between them, touching as little of the ground with your body (don’t lie down). If your hand stands on end, drop to the above position immediately.
