Lake District

Elterwater in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. Nearby is the site of an old gunpowder works, closed soon after the end of World War I; the surrounding coppices provided a source of charcoal, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of gunpowder.

Loweswater, in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. One of the quietest of the western lakes, Loweswater's shores are heavily wooded; Holme Wood, on the southwestern shore, and the lake itself are owned by the National Trust.

Scree slopes are common in upland areas, such as the Lake District. The scree – broken fragments of rock – is usually formed by freeze-thaw activity. This breaks solid rock into smaller, often angular particles. Scree is common in mountainous areas, since night-time temperatures often fall below freezing point, and there is a ready supply of moisture to freeze. A typical lowland glaciated valley can be seen in the background.

Scree slopes are common in upland areas, such as the Lake District in northwest England. The scree, broken fragments of rock, is usually formed by freeze-thaw activity. This breaks solid rock into smaller, often angular particles. They are common in mountainous areas, since night-time temperatures often fall below freezing point, and there is a ready supply of moisture.

Thirlmere in the Lake District, northwestern England. In the sky overhead are clouds at high altitude, formed from water vapour condensed into millions of tiny water droplets suspended in air.

The Newland Valley, near Keswick in Cumbria. Situated at the heart of the Lake District, at the northern end of Derwentwater, Keswick has attracted increasing numbers of visitors since the 18th century, when the town was associated with the ‘Lake poets’ such as Robert Southey. It is now the major tourist centre in the region.

Derwentwater, at the heart of the Lake District, a popular tourist destination. In the background is Skiddaw, a fell or mountain, rising to a height of 931 m/3,054 ft above sea level. The landscape of this area provided the Victorian children's author and local resident, Beatrix Potter, with material for several of her books.

William Wordsworth (1770–1850) described Grasmere, in the Lake District, as ‘the most loveliest spot that man hath found’. In December 1799, he and his sister Dorothy moved into Dove Cottage, close to the lake, where they lived until May 1808, and where William wrote much of his finest poetry.

The Langdale Pikes, north of Great Langdale in the Lake District, rise to a height of 732 m/2,403 ft above sea level. Looming over the Great Langdale Valley, the three peaks are known individually as Pike of Stickle, Harrison Stickle, and Pavey Ark.

Ennerdale Water, the most westerly of the lakes that comprise the Lake District. A deep glacial lake, 4 km/2.5 mi long by 1.2 km/0.75 mi wide and 46 m/148 ft deep, it contains a variety of fish and serves as a reservoir for the coastal towns of west Cumbria.

Region in Cumbria, northwest England. It contains the principal English lakes, separated by wild uplands rising to many peaks, including Scafell Pike (978 m/3,210 ft), the highest peak in England. The area was made a national park in 1951, covering 2,292 sq km/885 sq mi, and is a popular tourist destination.

The Lake District has associations with the writers William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, Thomas De Quincey, John Ruskin, and Beatrix Potter. The principal lakes are Windermere, the largest lake in England; Ullswater; Derwentwater; Coniston Water; Bassenthwaite; Grasmere; and Thirlmere. Peaks include Helvellyn (950 m/3,118 ft) and Great Gable (899 m/2,949 ft). The main tourist centres are Windermere, Keswick, Ambleside, and Grasmere. The overall population is 41,600, and growing slowly.

Thirlmere, Haweswater, and some other smaller lakes are managed as reservoirs for some of England's major conurbations, including Manchester.

The Lake District has a radial system of valleys, deepened by glaciers. Windermere, in the southeast, is connected with Rydal Water and Grasmere. The westerly Scafell range extends south to the Old Man of Coniston overlooking Coniston Water, and north to Wastwater. Ullswater lies in the northeast of the district, on the east side of Helvellyn peak, with Haweswater and Thirlmere nearby. The River Derwent flows north through Borrowdale forming Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite. West of Borrowdale lie Buttermere, Crummock Water, and, beyond, Ennerdale Water. Woodland includes broadleaf species, partly naturally occurring; and the plantations (mainly coniferous) of the Forestry Commission. Much of the scenery is relatively wild and very attractive.

Conservation There are 100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and 82 regionally important geological or geomorphological sites, making the area of enormous conservation interest. There are also nearly 2,000 listed buildings. Much of the land in the area is owned by the National Trust, and the National Park owns 8,600 ha/3,481 acres of the land under their jurisdiction.

Economy Agriculture (particularly sheep farming), foresty, and fishing employ about 10% of the working population, with a further 5% employed in energy, water, and mining. Manufacturing industries employ about 10%, and the construction industry another 8%, but almost 38% of the population is supported by retailing, tourism, and catering, with another 30% in general service industries.

History Before 1974 the Lake District formed part of Cumberland, Westmorland, and the Furness district of Lancashire.