Nigel's Photo Blog

   This evening, I am reporting on Hill Top Farm. This is a visitor attraction, run by England's National Trust, which is centred on the Beatrix Potter connection. Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866 and died near Sawrey in 1943. The farm dates from the 17th century and is located near Sawrey, Hawkeshead, Ambleside in the Lake District , NW England. Construction is an example of Lakeland vernacular architecture with random stone walls and a slate roof. The farm was purchased by Beatrix Potter with proceeds from sales of the first of her children's books, the Tale of Peter Rabbit. She wrote thirteen of her twenty-three books whilst residing at Hill Top.  Beatrix Potter was very committed to the conservation of Herdwick sheep. She had her own Herdwick flock and and was keen to breed the best animals. She succeeded in this, winning awards at local agricultural shows and the respect of local Lake District farmers.  At the farm is a shop, eatery and fascinating ve...

This evening, I am posting a couple of images of Crummock Water ("crooked lake") which is located close to Buttermere, in fact the two lakes were once one and are now separated by a slightly elevated flood plain. Crummock Water is about two and half miles long and much deeper than Buttermere. The latter is more accessible to visitors.  Crummock Water is about ten miles south of Cockermouth. The lake is 2.5 miles long, 0.6 miles wide and 140 feet deep. The River Cocker is considered to start at the north of the lake, before then flowing into Lorton Vale        English Lake District More information on this extremely popular holiday and recreation area cam be found here . In essence, the Lake District is located in Cumbria, an enclave tucked away in North West England, just south of the border with Scotland. The area boasts a strong Scandinavian heritage as a consequence of immigration from Norway over one thousand years ago. Most of the Lake District co...

  Hardknott Pass, Lake District, England This evening, I am posting information on a fascinating and scenic drive in a remote part of the English Lake District. Location is N.W. England. This is a journey along a narrow, single track road going west to east from Ravenglass and Muncaster Castle through Eskdale, passing Beckfoot and Boot, up through the Hardknott Pass with potential stop at Hardknott Roman Fort.. Then on, up into the Lake District National Park and down from Cockley Beck via Wrynose Pass into Little Langdale and on to Ambleside or other destinations. From a historic perspective note that the Roman fort dates back about 1800 years whilst place names including 'beck' and 'dale' mean stream and valley respectively and date from the Norwegian settlement of the region about 1200 years ago. Drive through Hardknott Pass, Lake District Video clip of Eskdale from Hardknott Roman Fort Video clip of Hardknott Roman Fort (Mediobognum) Hardknott Roman Fort...