Tarn Hows

Welcome to Tarn Hows, one of the most celebrated and picturesque locations in the Southern Lake District. As we stand here, you are witnessing a landscape that is both a marvel of natural beauty and a significant feat of…

We begin our exploration at the Tom Gill waterfalls, which serve as the primary runoff for Tarn Hows. Many visitors who stick to the main circular path around the tarn often miss this dramatic feature, tucked away in the dense…

Standing here at the southwestern end of the tarn, we are at the very heart of the 1862 engineering project. This small, unassuming stone dam is the reason the three original tarns are now a single, unified body of water. …

As we walk along the eastern shore, take note of the path beneath your feet. This is one of the most accessible routes in the Lake District, featuring a broad, relatively flat surface that is suitable for pushchairs and even some…

For those seeking a more traditional fell-walking experience, we now turn away from the tarn to ascend toward Black Crag. This peak, also known as Black Fells, stands at a modest 323 meters, making it one of the lowest…

On our descent from the fells, the path leads us through the Iron K Plantation. This dense coniferous forest provides a stark contrast to the open, airy heights of Black Crag and the bright reflection of the tarn. …

As we complete our circuit and return toward the tarn's edge, we must reflect on the individual most responsible for its modern-day preservation: Beatrix Potter. While globally famous for her 'Peter Rabbit' stories, Potter was a…

Our journey through Tarn Hows concludes back where we began, having traversed the heights of the fells and the depths of the wooded gills. This site is a testament to the fact that human intervention and natural beauty can…