NaturePhoto Wikimedia CommonsBorrowdale
United Kingdom
At the southern end of Derwentwater you will see the wonderfully named “Jaws of Borrowdale” where high crags on either side of the valley almost meet, squeezing our road and the river together, giving it a unique, almost otherworldly air. Fortunately, we all get through ok and you will find yourself in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Lake District, lush and heavily wooded as befits its name, which could be straight out of a Tolkien novel. As you pass through the valley you will find that the trees seem taller than elsewhere, the crags higher, the fells soar above and the valley bottom is dense with enormous ferns, yews and oaks. Relax, watch the progress of the bubbling River Derwent tumbling off the mountains, skittering along beside you as it heads towards the majestic Derwentwater and make sure you capture it all with great photos as we pass by.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Borrowdale, a valley frequently described as the most beautiful in all of England. As you enter from the north, you pass through a narrowing of the valley walls known as the 'Jaws of Borrowdale,' a name bestowed by…
Listen in the app2The Bowder Stone and Joseph Pocklington's Folly
Our first stop is the Bowder Stone, a massive six-story-high rock that appears to be balanced on one narrow edge. Geologically, it is a colossal fragment of volcanic rock that fell from the nearby crags thousands of years ago. …
Listen in the app3Grange in Borrowdale: The Monastic Legacy
Moving further into the valley, we reach the picturesque village of Grange. Its name is a direct link to its medieval past; a 'grange' was a farm belonging to a monastery. …
Listen in the app4Watendlath Tarn: A Princess's Gift
A short, steep climb from the valley floor takes us to Watendlath Tarn, a place of profound tranquility. This seven-acre tarn is approximately 17 meters deep and is surrounded by a small, traditional hamlet. …
Listen in the app5Lodore Falls and the Ancient Oak Woodlands
No visit to Borrowdale is complete without witnessing Lodore Falls. This spectacular waterfall, immortalized in Robert Southey’s poem 'How does the Water come down at Lodore?', is a dramatic display of nature's power, especially…
Listen in the app6Graphite and the Origins of the Pencil
While slate is the most visible industrial remains in Borrowdale, the valley also holds a unique place in the history of communication. In the 16th century, a deposit of high-quality graphite (or 'wad') was discovered at…
Listen in the app7Peace How: A Sanctuary for Healing
Our final stop in Borrowdale is Peace How, a small but emotionally significant summit near Grange. In 1917, during the height of the First World War, this spot was presented to the nation by Canon Rawnsley, one of the founders of…
Listen in the app8Final Reflections: The Enduring Valley
As we conclude our exploration of Borrowdale, we look back on a valley that has been a source of sustenance, inspiration, and healing for nearly a millennium. We have seen how the monks of Furness Abbey brought order to the…
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What is Borrowdale?
Borrowdale is a place in United Kingdom with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 54.5302, -3.1504 |
| Last updated |