Wanting to make the most of our week in the Lake District, as soon as we'd dumped our baggage we headed off to explore. The guide book reliably ensured us that one of the most beautiful areas in the whole region was Tarn How, and it didn't disappoint.
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| HDR image of Tarn How |
Tarn appears to be the Cumbrian word for lake, which can sometimes be confusing, especially when you throw in some of the other local words like beck, force and mell; all of which are used to describe water features.
As beautiful as the tarn is, it's actually completely artificial. Bought by children's author Beatrix Potter in the 1930's, she sold half to the National Trust and bequeathed the second half to them in her will. But before it became available for the general public to enjoy it had undergone substantial works. Originally it was two naturally occurring lakes that were subsequently turned in to one. Most of the trees in the area are man made plantations too. It may not be natural then, but whoever designed the current layout certainly had an eye for landscaping.
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| Amongst the trees |
The tarn was so impressive that we actually went back for a second visit later in the week. It wasn't quite as bright as our first excursion but the water was exceptionally still which leant the surface a wonderful mirror-like quality.
It only takes a bit over an hour to get round the tarn so for those who don't want to spend all day walking, or can't face the relentlessly steep inclines of a local mountain, then this makes a great afternoons outing.
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