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| 21st March 2008 | |
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Borrowdale Dream that heaven is very like this land, Edmund Casson certainly presented a romantic view of Borrowdale in his poem, "The Wise Kings of Borrowdale", and the dale continues to be a favourite with visitors in the present day.
Borrowdale abounds in valley and fell walks. The Cumbria Way passes through. The 58-mile long Allendale Ramble runs from Borrowdale to Silloth. Borrowdale was a popular route in Neolithic times as well. It provided an axe trade route to the east of Bassenthwaite.
Shepherds Crag is a favourite rock climbing spot. Another stopping point along the way is Lodore Falls, created where Watendlath Beck drops 120 feet. It's a mere trickle of water except during times of heavy rainfall.
Seathwaite farms small grove of yew trees were immortalized by Wordsworth who wrote in Fraternal four of Borrowdale: &But; worthier still of note Borrowdale stages a Shepherds Meet and Show each year. Fell racing,
sheepdog trials, hound trailing, and Borrowdale, an isolated valley until a road was built in 1842, was a Wainwright favourite. He called it the fairest valley of the Lake District. Another quote from Edmund Cassons The Wise Kings of Borrowdale sums up the beauty of the dale:
Location Map of Borrowdale Youth Hostel Association Youth Hostels Association © 1997-2008 by The Cumbria Directory. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from The Cumbria Directory is prohibited. Photos courtesy of Ann Bowker , Julian Thurgood and Dave Newton |
Borrowdale, walled in part by high, sharp-edged
crags, is located in Cumbrias volcanic central mountains. Stretching from the head of
Derwent Water south to Seathwaite, it is the main access to the central part of the Lake
District. Sty Head Pass connects Wasdale with Borrowdale. Honister Pass connects the beauty
of the Borrowdale and Buttermere valleys.
Borrowdales fells include Seathwaite where graphite was
discovered in 1555. Formed by extreme pressure and heat, it was used, during Queen
Elizabeth Is reign, to make moulds for cannon balls (later its value as pencil lead was
exploited). From that time an industrial economy was imposed on Borrowdales farming fabric.
Copper was added to the mining mix.
Grange, at the beginning of the valley, is known for its double-arched bridge of
1675 that crosses the Derwent River. The river, when in full flow, rushes past and can
flood the area. At the so-called Jaws of Borrowdale, near Grange, the river runs under
steep cliffs through a gorge. A riverside path provides a pleasant walk. Thomas Gray, an
18th century romantic poet, described the Jaws as a menacing ravine whose rocks
might, at any time, fall and crush a traveller.
In the past much of this section of the valley was covered by
the Fawcet Forest. There still remain areas of broadleafed and conifer woodlands, most
belonging to the National Trust. The oak woods are of particular note.
Balanced precariously on its small base below the slopes of Kings How, the
Bowder Stone (approximately 1900 tons in weight) is a glacial landmark. It was popular with
the Victorians, and one bored a hole through the stone. There are now steps to the top.
The remains of a supposed Romano-British fort lie on
the summit of Castle Crag, a well-known viewpoint at the southern end of the gorge.
Wainwright recommended it as a climb to take back an enduring memory of the beauty and
atmosphere of the district.
Rosthwaite, in a wide spot at the southern end
of Borrowdale, is a popular village for walkers. Rosthwaite Farm had an ancient yew tree,
fallen to the ground, but it still impressed Wordsworth, who proclaimed its diameter was
large enough to be a cave entrance.
starting point for climbing Scafell Pike. The village is one of the wettest
place in England with more than 130 inches of rain per year.
Green farmland and sheep characterize this southern section of
Borrowdale. Beatrix Potter owned two farms in the valley.
craft displays are part of the action. In August a 17 mile fell race is
held.