Britain> Destinations

Lake District

The Lake District (Cumbria) of the United Kingdom is among the most beautiful regions in the entire country. It is located in the northwest of England, spreading over a mere 34 miles, but containing the most marvelous and exquisite settings, panoramas, cultural highlights, rich historical traditions and other attractions, including the magnificent National Park.

This region is known as the setting of the Lake Poets: Southey, Wordsworth and Coleridge, the most talented writers of the Romantic Movement in Britain. This period was one of the most glorious in British history, notwithstanding the Renaissance and its foremost representative, William Shakespeare. The fact that the Lake Poets drew their inspiration from these surroundings and expressed it so vividly in their timeless works speaks for itself.

The geography of the Lake District encompasses a wide variety of formations, including formations caused by a glacier that dates back to the last ice age. Open moors, woodlands, lakes and limestone terrains spread out before your eyes. There is some magnificent flora, including the carnivorous sundew, an endemic British plant.

Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England with an altitude of 3210 feet, is located here. The Lake District has over 200 fells, of which the highest are Scafell, Helvellyn, and Skiddaw. The word 'fell' goes back to the age of the Vikings, meaning 'mountain'. The area is bordered by Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Lancashire in England. In Scotland it is bordered by Dumfries, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale. It is also subdivided into six districts: Allerdale, Barrow and Furness, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden and South Lakeland.

The most prominent of its lakes are Bassenthwaite Lake, Windermere, Coniston Water, Ullswater and Buttermere. Traditionally, the Lake District is an agricultural region, dominated by farmers. During the Neolithic Era, stone carvings were produced on a large scale here, and some of the oldest stone circles in England are associated with this trade. Other major industries in the history of the Lake District were slate, silver and copper mining. The tourist industry here is growing fast, as the Lake District's potential to become a popular holiday destination is just being discovered. It has been commemorated by Daniel Defoe in his Tour Thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain. The Lake District was established in 1974, although the name Cumbria has existed for many centuries in this area. Celtic culture was most widespread here until recently, and the name itself can be traced back to Celtic origin.

It would be impossible to mention all the local attractions, so we will only focus on the most important. A site of utmost interest is the Holker Hall and Gardens. It is the official residence of the aristocratic Cavendish Dynasty. The prize-winning, lush and tranquil gardens spread over 25 acres, inclusive of the charming woodlands. Florence Mine is an important symbol of the mining tradition in this area. The museum features a Geology Room, offering a collection of minerals and fluorescent crystals.

A major trade center in this district is Ulverston, the capital of Furness. This town has a number of wide streets, converging upon a central location graced by monuments that have stood there for centuries. Historical monuments include the Cartmel Priory Gatehouse, dating back to the 1100s. This religious stronghold suffered many raids, yet stands proudly to this day. The Barrow-in-Furness is an ancient abbey complete with a picturesque church, and is open to the public. Carlisle and Brougham are two of the most important castles in the Lake District. The former dates back to 1092, and was the prison of Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th Century, among others. The prisoners have left their mark on the premise - you may observe the carvings that remain on the walls.

We cannot fail to mention the biggest national park in all of England. The Lake District National Park features Scafell Peak, Helvellyn and Striding Edge, a precarious ridge for the brave of heart. Even if you are not the adventurous type, you can take a stroll and enjoy the calm surroundings of Ennerdale Forest with its conveniently marked trails, the Hay Bridge Deer Museum and Muncaster Castle, featuring diverse bird species.

Castlerigg is a lonely stone circle, unchanged by time. The stones rise into the sky from a peaceful meadow in the hilly area of Keswick. Archaeological findings indicate that the circle was erected as far back as three millenniums before Christ. A large gap between two stones on one side presupposes an entrance of sorts, and the embankment inside the circle possibly signifies a tomb. It is as interesting and mysterious as Stonehenge, perhaps even more so. A thriving, beautiful and memorable destination, the Lake District has awed and inspired even the most poetic members of the human race. Perhaps the best way to express this is through a short poem by another major poet of the Romantic Movement:

"To see a world in a grain of sand
and a heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hand
and eternity in an hour."

-William Blake, 1757 - 1827