Thirlmere
United Kingdom
As you will travel south, along the shores of the attractive, tree-fringed expanse of water at Thirlmere, you will hear the sad tale of the villages of Armboth and Wythburn, now lost, deep below these waters. The story is a fascinating one of wealth, industry and the might of the City of Manchester who crushed the rural lifestyle of these unfortunate villagers in the nineteenth century. Beautiful and tranquil, Thirlmere is backed by the mighty Helvellyn, once a favourite walking spot for Wordsworth and his friends. It is also a place of legend with tales of hauntings and big scary spectral black dogs. Good job you are safe in the van and we aren’t visiting after dark!
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Thirlmere, a location that offers a unique intersection of natural beauty and Victorian engineering. While it appears to be a typical Lakeland water, Thirlmere is in fact a reservoir, created in the late 19th century…
Listen in the app2The Thirlmere Dam — The 1890 Landmark
We begin our exploration at the northern end of the reservoir, standing atop the massive Thirlmere Dam. Completed in 1894, this curved embankment is a monumental piece of Victorian masonry. …
Listen in the app3The Straining Well — The Gothic Castle
One of the most striking architectural features of Thirlmere is the Straining Well, located on the western shore. From a distance, this structure appears to be a medieval castle rising from the woods, but its function is entirely…
Listen in the app4Great How — The Overlooked Vantage Point
Rising just above the northern end of Thirlmere is Great How, a small hill that is often overlooked by travelers speeding along the A591. However, for the scholar of the landscape, it offers some of the finest and most accessible…
Listen in the app5The A591 and the Heart of the Lakes
The eastern shore of Thirlmere is dominated by the A591, the primary arterial road that links Ambleside to Keswick. While many visitors experience Thirlmere only through a car window, the road itself is part of the valley's…
Listen in the app6Harrop Tarn — The Western Wilderness
For those seeking a more rugged experience, the western side of Thirlmere offers a quieter, more wilderness-oriented perspective. Following the forestry tracks and smaller footpaths, one can ascend toward Harrop Tarn, a natural…
Listen in the app7The Slopes of Helvellyn
To the east of Thirlmere rise the formidable slopes of Helvellyn, England's third-highest peak. The relationship between the mountain and the reservoir is symbiotic; the high fells act as a massive catchment area, funneling…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our journey around Thirlmere, we are left with a deeper appreciation for this complex and beautiful landscape. We have seen how the ambition of Victorian engineers transformed a quiet valley into a vital resource…
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What is Thirlmere?
Thirlmere 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 | 54.5611, -3.0560 |
| Last updated |