Lake District Geography
The Lake District is actually a national park covering about 2292 square kilometers and it is situated in the north west of England, in the county of Cumbria. The park has fourteen main "lakes": Windermere, Ullswater, Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite, Coniston, Haweswater, Thirlmere, Ennerdale, Wast Water, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Grasmere, Loweswater and Rydal.
It is hard to believe but there is in fact only one official lake: the Bassenthwaite Lake. The other water surfaces are "meres" or "waters" (source: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk). Windermere is the longest "lake" (about 16,8 km long) and Wastwater is with its depth of 74 metres the deepest lake. Scafell Pike is the highest mountain (978m). We have highlighted many places of interest on the map.
Lake District History and Culture
History
The Lake District National Park was created in 1951. 89 per cent of the visitors come by private motor vehicle. The creation of the park led to a better protection from overdevelopment and allowed tourism to mushroom in a controlled way.
Culture
The Lake District is and/or was also the home to many well-known writers and poets. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, Alfred Wainwright and Beatrix Potter are the most famous ones.
A few of these authors have museums dedicated to them. You can find more information on the following sites: www.wordsworth.org.uk, www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
The Blackwell Arts and Crafts House in Bowness-on-Windermere is a must see. It was built in 1900 by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott. He incorporated a wide variety of crafts like tiles, carved stone, wood carving, stained glass, mosaic floors, wrought iron and lead work in his creation. The house is also set in lovely natural surroundings with the sheep almost virtually greeting you at the entrance. For more information: Blackwell. The house is an absolute delight to the eye. It also has a nice café for hungry stomachs and a gift shop with original gifts. We only found it a pity that pushchairs were not allowed in the house. However, wheelchairs were (2009).
Lake District Weather and Best Time to Visit the Lake District
The Lake District has the reputation to be the wettest place in England. However, as we all know the unpredictable English weather, splendid sunny days might be on the program.
From a practical point of view, it is best to avoid the British summer holiday periods, the Bank holidays and the school vacations. In those periods it can get very busy in the Lake District.
In general, European nature is very special in spring and autumn (daffodils, migrating birds, blossoming trees and flowers, foliage...)
Here is an interesting link with the weather forecast for the Lake District - www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/weatherline.
