My Photography Journey has been on going since 2009. My main joy in life is landscape photography, and i have had the luxury in living in Scotland (west coast) ,in England next to the Dorset countryside and current in Derbyshire next door to the Peak District National Park whilst only being a stones throw away for the Walsh peaks. However; the one location i get to visit a lot is the Lake District and all its beauty and today i would like to share some of the locations that are close to my heart.
The Lake District National Park includes nearly all of the Lake District, though the town of Kendal and the Lakeland Peninsulas are currently outside the park boundary. The area, which was designated a national park on 9 May 1951 (less than a month after the first UK national park designation — the Peak District), is the most visited national park in the United Kingdom with 15.8 million annual visitors and more than 23 million annual day visits, the largest of the thirteen national parks in England and Wales, and the second largest in the UK after the Cairngorms. Its aim is to protect the landscape by restricting unwelcome change by industry or commerce. Most of the land in the park is in private ownership, with about 55% registered as agricultural land. The size of the park increased by 3% on 1 August 2016.
Eastern Fells:- There are a few lakes within the Eastern Fells area. one of the most famous is Ullswater.
Ullswater is the second largest lake in the English Lake District, being approximately nine miles (14.5 kilometres) long and 0.75 miles (1,200 m) wide with a maximum depth of slightly more than 60 metres (197 ft). Many regard Ullswater as the most beautiful of the English lakes; it has been compared to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland and it is a popular tourist destination. It is a typical Lake District narrow "ribbon lake" formed after the last ice age when a glacier scooped out the valley floor and when the glacier retreated, the deepened section filled with meltwater which became a lake. A total of three separate glaciers formed the lake. The surrounding mountains give Ullswater the shape of a stretched 'Z' with three distinct segments (or 'reaches') that wend their way through the surrounding hills. One of the most photographed locations is the Boat House Duke Of Portland at Knott End near Pooley Bridge on the Northern Shore. There is a small lay-by at the back of the boat house, then its is a small walk back along the road towards Pooley Bridge to get a few of the boat house and lake. The best time of the day for this location is early morning as the boat house gets lit up my the morning sun all year round, however autumn mornings are best for lake mist.
The Central Fells are lower in elevation than surrounding areas of fell, peaking at 762 m (2,500 ft) at High Raise. They take the form of a ridge running between Derwent Water in the west and Thirlmere in the east, from Keswick in the north to Langdale Pikes in the south.
Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain, and is the most visited stone circle in Cumbria. Every year thousands of people visit it to look, photograph, draw and wonder why and when and by whom it was built. The stone circle is on the level top of a low hill with views across to Skiddaw, Blencathra and Lonscale Fell.
There is parking (free of charge) in the lane next to the field containing the circle but it does get crowded very quickly, SATNAV Postcode: CA12 4RN
The best time to visit is the golden hours of morning and evening, as there will be fewer people about during theses periods as the site can become very busy during the day.
There are 38 stones in a circle approximately 30 metres in diameter. Within the ring is a rectangle of a further 10 standing stones. The tallest stone is 2.3 metres high. It was probably built around 3000 BC – the beginning of the later Neolithic Period – and is one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. It is important in terms of megalithic astronomy and geometry, as the construction contains significant astronomical alignments. Although its origins are unknown it is believed that it was used for ceremonial or religious purposes.
Derwent Water is one of the principal bodies of water in the Lake District National Park in north west England. It lies wholly within the Borough of Allerdale, in the county of Cumbria. The lake occupies part of Borrowdale and lies immediately south of the town of Keswick. It is both fed and drained by the River Derwent. It measures approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long by 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and is some 72 feet (22 m) deep. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. These locations can be accessed from the carpark at Derwent Bay (CA12 5DJ, Pay and Display - about £3.00 for 2hrs)
Along the shore, on the Borrowdale Road (B5289) leading from Derwent Bay to Grange there is a folk in the road with the left hand lane leading up to Ashness Bridge. At that point on the shore line is one of the many photographed piers (Ashness Pier) on the Derwent Waters. There is parking (free) on the left hand side of the road leading to Ashness Bridge just after the cattle grid.
Ashness Bridge is perhaps the most photographed packhorse bridge in the Lake District due to its location and stunning views. This extremely popular viewpoint looks out over Derwent Water with spectacular views over Bassenthwaite Lake and the River Derwent. There is a car park which is just a stone's throw away from the bridge (CA12 5UN), however this is a Pay and Display and doesn't take credit cards so make sure you have some change in your pocket. Morning is best for Ashiness as the sun will be behind you and shining onto Skidded.
While you're there, carry on up the road to nearby Surprise View (car parking available CA12 5UU) where you can see how great ice sheets carved out this impressive landscape: you have an uninterrupted view across Derwent Water and onto the Solway and the distant shores of Scotland.
If you are feeling a liitle more adventurous (i have yet to do so), continue along the single track road to the hamlet of Watendlath (car parking available CA12 5UW) taking in the ancient Ash pollards along the way. Watendlath nestles high up (263m) beside a tranquil tarn, with a farmhouse café, and a National Trust bothy. There are also public toilets here, and packhorse trails which climb gradually up the slopes. If you buy a day ticket just transfer the ticket between our car parks until it expires.
The North Western Fells lie between Borrowdale and Bassenthwaite Lake to the east and Buttermere and Lorton Vale to the west. Their southernmost point is at Honister Pass is the location of the Buttermere Pines. The Northern shores of Battermere is known for its iconic Lone Tree
The Southern Fells occupy the southwestern quarter of the Lake District. They can be regarded as comprising a northern grouping between Wasdale, Eskdale and the two Langdale valleys, a southeastern group east of Dunnerdale and south of Little Langdale and a southwestern group bounded by Eskdale to the north and Dunnerdale to the east. Within the Southern territory lies Coniston Water and Windermere.
Coniston Water in Cumbria, England is the third largest lake in the English Lake District. It is five miles (8 km) long, half a mile (800 m) wide, has a maximum depth of 184 feet (56 m), and covers an area of 1.89 square miles (4.9 km2). The lake has an elevation of 143 feet (44 m) above sea level. On the East and North shores, Coniston's iconic Piers stand.
Kelly Hall Tarn is a small lake with some nice boulders, reeds and lone pines with a stunning backdrop of Coniston Old Man. Its situated just 200m from the Land Rover garage near Torver just 5 mins walk from the roadside. Its a super location for sunset with parking available opposite the garage (LA21 8BJ)
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. It is a ribbon lake formed in a glacial trough after the retreat of ice at the start of the current interglacial period. There is only one town which is directly on the lakeshore, that is Bowness-on-Windermere. This locations provides some stunning views of the lake.
The Lake District has so much to offer and each time it produces something different. I don't think i could ever get tired of my love affair with the Lakes and will be returning again and again. I will continue to update this article after each visit to provide you with some inspiration and details on where to go, park and the cost in doing so, until them please feel free to use this guide and i hope it helps you have some great days in in one our countries must beautiful location.
Last Updated Jan 2017