When was lake windermere formed

It contains The Lake District National Park , the largest national park in Britain, established in and covering 2, sq km sq mi. It is an area of glaciated mountains — including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at m 3, ft. It also contains a small part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The northern ranges of the Lake District consist of Ordovician slate, about million years old; the central ranges of younger volcanic rock; and a southern range of limestone and other Silurian rock about million years old.

The animal life of the Lake District includes three unique species of fish: the schelly, the vendace, and the char; and a number of golden eagles. In due course, this page will describe the influence of man on the Lake District , including :. In Neolithic times, the Lake District was a major source of stone axes, examples of which have been found all over Britain.

The production of plaster involves crushing the gypsum and then heating it in pans to drive off the water of crystalisation. This differs from natural anhydrite because it will reabsorb water and will set as a solid mass. This is the basis of plaster. Anhydrite was used in the chemical industry as a component in the production of Sulphuric acid. The Marchon Co at Whitehaven used the extensive deposits below their site for this purpose. Large quantities of anhydrite were quarried in the Eden valley, at Long Meg mine and shipped by rail to the chemical works at Billingham.

The Preston to Tewitfield portion of the Kendal to Lancaster Canal was officially opened on 22nd of November , with the Tewitfield section finally linking the Kendal section in , completing the canal course to Lancaster. In its year working life span, the canal brought prosperity to Kendal, as coal was imported for the various industries that were housed in and around the town, and limestone and slate from local quarries and other manufactured goods that local industries were producing at the time were exported.

The Ulverston Canal opened in , connecing Ulverston to the sea, and lasted until when it finally ceased business. The village of Port Carlisle was developed as a port in to handle goods for Carlisle using the canal link built in In the South Lakes valleys around Windermere lake, narrow winding lanes are bounded with dry stone walls and hedgerows, meandering through deciduous woodlands. Gem like lakes and musical becks are overlooked by the southern fells and the lofty Langdale Pikes.

In spring and summer, bird song fills the air and the rolling pastureland is dotted with sheep and lambs. During any prolonged period of good weather the rivers and lakes are easily warm enough for swimming near the shore.

If swimming in deeper water be aware it is always cold. Wet suits are advised and always be accompanied by a small craft.

Many of the local countryside sporting fairs, such as Ambleside Sports are held in summer. Autumn is also a very popular time to visit with wonderful natural colours in the forests and on the Lake District fells. This is also the season of many local food fairs.

Winter is a wonderful season in the South Lakes with crackling log fires and real ale pubs after invigorating walks. Many Windermere area accommodation prices are reduced for the off peak season and nearly all attractions and restaurants are open as usual.

There is archaeological evidence of settlement, farming and timber management for the building of houses and boats. For more than a thousand years it was an important waterway for movement of heavy materials. Influences through the centuries include the Vikings around AD, from whose language many Cumbrian words are taken.

The Norsemen are believed to have introduced the Herdwick sheep to the Lake District. The Lake District has over fourteen lakes and tarns. The high rainfall, combined with the extra deep glacial valleys, means that the valleys are able to store large volumes of water.

The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners and ecologists. Skip to content. Blog Visiting Learning Caring for Planning. The Borrowdale Volcanic Group are another popular and historic group of rocks.

This group was created by hard lavas and ashes when there were volcanic eruptions million years ago. The Windermere Group are a bit softer than the other two. Sedimentary mudstones, sandstones, and some limestone formed in the sea roughly million years ago.

Between then and now, they have been folded, faulted, pushed up, and eroded. These well-weathered rocks make up the gentler aspects of the local scenery. One of the reasons that the Lake District became such a popular spot was because of the admiration it received from famous writers. William Wordsworth is one of the most notable writers to be linked to the Lake District.

Born and raised in Cockermouth, just outside of the district, Wordsworth had a strong connection with the area and found a lot of inspiration in it.