Photos and the City

Tag: England

Buttermere

I made my way over the Honister pass to Buttermere – the lake Buttermere and the village Buttermere. My first sight was the village church of St. John´s, known for its memorial for the famous walker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright. You can see his favourite mountain Haystacks from the church window.

Buttermere is a small hamlet between Buttermere (lake) and Crummock Water, which were one post-glacial lake until the land was created by the debris washed down from the surrounding hills. It´s just a short walk to the lake.

At Buttermere I met Gwyneth who became my first in the “Queens of the Lakes” series – the scenery is just so perfect and stunning, one has to use it!

There is a walk around the lake, about 5 miles, which I´ll definitely gonna do next time – I just have to come back!

It was time to say goodbye to the beautiful Buttermere and make my way back to Little Langdale – but as my host Tony had recommended I took a scenic detour along Crummock Water.

And then via Wrynoss Pass and Hardknott Pass – and suddenly there was the sea in the distance!

11/09/2018
Derwent Water

It was just a short drive from the Castlerigg Stone Circle to Derwent Water, my nest stop on the way to Buttermere. South of Keswick, it´s a lovely lake with several islands and there was a lot going on on the water.

If you´ve watched “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” you might know Derwent Water from a scene.

“Derwentwater Foreshore has a rich and prestigious history. In the 16th century the site was used as a landing spot for the local mining industry and in the 18th and 19th century it became the inspiration for Romantic Poets such as William Wordsworth. In Victorian times the Foreshore became a focal point for the newly developing tourist industry which brought tourists to Keswick by railway.” (Keswick.org)

The four islands in the lake are all owned by the National Trust and it seemed possible to visit the house on this one – doesn´t it look like the perfect place to write a book or just switch off for a few days?

Walking around the lake would be a ten miles walk (The Derwentwater Walk), I didn´t have that much time but I grabbed a tea to go and at least walked to Friars Crag to enjoy the view “described by Ruskin as one of the three or four most beautiful views in Europe”. (Keswick.org)

Friars Crag

Making my way over the very scenic Honister Pass – even so, the view was often slightly foggy.

06/09/2018
Ambleside and Castlerigg Stone Circle

The next (bigger) village from High Park Farm was Ambleside and on my second (very foggy) morning I stopped for a little walk around town. Based at the head of Windermere, Ambleside is the perfect base for exploring the Lake District by boat, walking, horse or car.

Ambleside is bigger than expected, there is a Roman Fort dating from 79 AD and part of the Cumbria University, a cinema, many shops, tea rooms and restaurants.

My destination for this day was Buttermere and my Airbnb host Tony helped me in planning a very scenic and beautiful route passing Keswick and (more important) Castlerigg Stone Circle.

The view from the circle was simply amazing!

Castlerigg Stone Circle stands on a superb natural plateau commanding a superb 360 degree view over the surrounding fells. It is composed of 38 free standing stones, some up to 3 metres (10 feet) high. It is one of Britain’s earliest stone circles dating back to the Neolithic period 4000 to 5000 years ago. (Keswig.org)

The motives behind the stone circle are still a mystery, it was probably used as a trading and meeting area. But the beauty of its backdrop inspired poets and painters of the 19th-century Romantic movement.

A modern-day painter at work.

04/09/2018