Buttermere: Difference between revisions

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→‎Geography: additional piece about swimming
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==Geography==
The steep-sided rocks of the valley are both rugged and dramatic. The surrounding contours contain a mix of rock groups, where "strong geological contrasts appear on either side," these being volcanic, granites, and a combination of mudstones, slate and sandstones of the Skiddaw Group of rocks.<ref name="smith78"/><ref>Smith (2012) p.10</ref> Both lakes were originally one much larger lake, with the middle section created by alluvial material deposited from Sail Beck, Mill Beck, and the various tributary becks that feed into them. This now large area of land has several fields and is used primarily for farming purposes. The lake is 28 metres at its deepest point, has a surface area of 0.94 km2,<ref>Smith (2012) p.6</ref> and sits at 100 (328 feet) metres above sea level.
 
There is also substantial infill at the southern end of the lake, with Warnscale Beck and Gatesgarthdale Beck as the principle inflows. Two deltas are evident where Hassnesshow Beck and Comb Beck flow in the lake. The former is now a large field, and has a larger catchment area. This would account for it being three times larger than the latter, which is the site of a small wood.<ref>Smith (2012) p.36</ref> From above it is clear the extent to which alluvial deposits have increased the land, and reduced the size of the lake. If this process were to continue without human intervention, the sedimentary buildup would eventually fill the lake completely. The deltaic spread here is similar to that found between Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake, where it is on a larger scale.
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Another possible origin of the name has links with Jarl Boethar (also known as "Buthar"), an 11th century Norse Earl who'd attained lands around Buttermere, and was the leader of an Anglo-Scandinavian resistance against the Normans under Ranulf le Meschin, Lord of Cumberland.<ref name="whaley61"/> Whaley suggests that the place name interpretations of this legend are incorrect, the "legend has some basis insofar as ''{{w1|Victoria County History}}'' deemed it 'not disputed that the family of the Scotic ruler, Bueth or Boet, held its own against the Norman intruder', with possession of the barony of Gillesland, for fifty years after the Norman Conquest."<ref name="whaley61"/><ref>VCH (1901), pp.305-6</ref>
 
==Places of interest==
 
==Permissible activities==
Buttermere is also owned by the National Trust, which was purchased in 1935 along with Crummock Water and Loweswater. It comes under the [https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/water/lake-byelaw-enforcement/small-lakes-byelaws smaller lake bylaws], one of several sets of bylaws established for the protection of the Lake District National Park, made under section 13 of the Countryside Act, 1968. This means that there are certain prohibited activities. Swimming is allowed with no restrictions. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and rowing boats are allowed with a permit. Sailing boats and powered craft of any kind are not permitted. The National Trust should be contacted to obtain permits.
 
==References==