can be imagined that the then lakeless Lake District consisted of three very thick layers of material each on top of the other. During the Devonian period the earth’s crust was subject to extreme movement. The area was thrust upwards into a dome. Each of the rock types reacted differently according to the position of the centre of the thrust. Once the upper layers were fractured, for instance, the more malleable Skiddaw Slate beneath was pushed through to a great height, then hot sandstorms and heavy rains wore down the upper layers. Much of Skiddaw Slates’ topmost parts, and a substantial area of the Silurian rocks were swept away. In the central parts the much harder Borrowdale Volcanics were left exposed. Therefore the Skiddaw Slates were left uppermost in the north, the Volcanics in the centre, and the Silurian to the south.
From 345 to 280 million years ago there followed the Carboniferous period. The area was again covered by a sea rich in life. The central part of the district probably remained as an island. The deposits in this sea formed the carboniferous limestone. Subsequently much of this was swept away leaving a rim around the Lake District. The Permo Trias period followed; the area became hot and arid. The desert sands of this time were later solidified into the New Red Sandstone, which again was mainly swept away from the central dome.
The Tertiary period, 65 million years ago brought new upheavals to the planet. This ‘Alpine’ movement produced the Alps, the Himalayas and the Andes. Again the Lake District’s dome was raised high. Fracture lines appeared, in general radiating from the centre, but varying in direction according to the reaction of the material. These formed the basis of the valley patterns we know today.
The next great catastrophe was nearer our own time. About one a half million years ago the climate changed dramatically and the whole of the northern hemisphere was covered in ice. The subsequent movement and melting of the ice hollowed out the valleys and lake beds, and swept away vegetation. The heavy rainstorms later moved any remaining loose material. Thus the dales were sculpted and the lakes were formed.
Wildlife in the Lake District
Because of the huge variety of landscapes to be found in a relatively small area, there are diverse habitats for flora and fauna to thrive. Many different types of grassland, upland heath and mires are designated areas of habitat conservation and protected plant species include juniper and the slender green feather-moss. There are several National Nature Reserves, over 100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and many other conservation areas.
There are different types of grassland to be found, the species supported being determined by the quality of the soil and the climate. The old fashioned hay meadow is rich in various species of wild flowers and butterflies.
The moorlands of the mountains and fells are carpeted in plant species such as heather and sphagnum moss, commonly called peat moss due to its abundance in bogs and mires. Red grouse can be found on the moorland.
The Lake District supports several endangered species of fish. The vendace was to be found at 4 locations in Britain – two in Scotland and in Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water. However there has not been a recorded sighting in Bassenthwaite since 2001 and they have died out on the Scottish lochs leaving only Derwent Water. The schelly is still to be found in Brothers Water, Haweswater, Red Tarn and Ullswater, and the arctic char, which, although still rare, is a little more commonplace being found in several of the lakes. Cormorant nesting was prevented by repeated disturbance in 1999 and 2000 in Haweswater in an attempt to protect the schelly. Goosander, goldeneye, tufted duck, dipper, grey wagtail and sandpiper can be seen on the lakes and waterways.
The Environment Agency introduced new fisheries bylaws in 2002 regarding the use of freshwater fish as bait in an attempt to protect the fish stocks. The introduction of non-native fish can lead to devastation of native species because of competition for food and spread of disease. A major problem has been found with ruffe which eat the eggs of vendace – they have a long incubation period and are therefore particularly vulnerable.
Numbers of native red squirrels have been dwindling throughout Britain over the last 100 years ever since the grey squirrel arrived from North America. They are more timid and smaller than the greys and lose in the competition for food. A sighting is always an exciting occurrence.
In 2001 ospreys returned to the Lake District after 150 years. A pair spend their winters in Africa but have returned each Spring since then to breed on the hillside around Bassenthwaite Lake. There are now two viewpoints at Dodd Wood north of Keswick, as they recently moved the site of their nest to the opposite side of the lake – a very unusual occurrence as the same site can be used by generations of osprey.
Haweswater was home to England’s only pair of Golden Eagles but the female disappeared in 2004 and has not been seen since although sightings of the male are still made.
The Lake District National Park
The Lake District National Park is the largest of the National Parks in England and Wales, with 866 square miles (2242 sq km). The first strongly organised pressure for National Parks and access to mountains came during the 1920s and 1930s when walking and mountaineering became popular pastimes and access to open country in some parts of Britain was much restricted. The outbreak of war postponed progress, and following the reports of John Dower on the need, and the Hobhouse Committee’s recommendations on implementation, an Act, The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, was passed. ‘People need the refreshment which is obtainable from the beauty and quietness of unspoilt country’. The provision for those needs of the people, and the protection from spoilation, were written into the Act.
In many countries of the world National Parks are areas of wilderness hardly influenced by man, and the land of these parks is owned by the nation or state. There is no true wilderness left in Britain. The ‘natural’ beauty of the landscape reflects the pattern of husbandry, and with so many owning and making a living from the land nationalisation of it was not contemplated. A British National Park is a defined area of unspoilt countryside, usually with some wild, if not wilderness, country, which is specially protected from unsuitable development; public access for its enjoyment is secured, and due regard made for the needs of the local community.
The National Park authority must exercise planning control, but must also provide information and ranger services. In 1969 England’s first National Park Visitor Centre was set up at Brockhole in Windermere and is an excellent starting point for exploration of the National Park.
The National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority work closely with other large landowners, the Forestry Commission and the Water Authority, to provide protected public access unrivalled anywhere else in Britain. It is indeed as Wordsworth said ‘a sort of national property’ for those ‘with eyes to perceive and hearts to enjoy’.
Walking tips & guidance
Safety
As with all other outdoor activities, walking is safe provided a few simple commonsense rules are followed:
• Make sure you are fit enough to complete the walk;
• Always try to let others know where you intend going, especially if you are walking alone;
• Be clothed adequately for the weather and always wear suitable footwear;
• Always allow plenty of time for the walk, especially if it is longer or harder than you have done before;
