Loughrigg Tarn: Difference between revisions

{{SHORTDESC:Small body of water by Loughrigg Fell}}

'''Loughrigg Tarn''' is a small body of water in an elevated position, located at the entrance of [[Great Langdale]] valley, sitting peacefully out sight to any passers-by unless they happen to be traversing the peaks of [[Loughrigg Fell]]. It is situated to the south-west below Loughrigg Fell, with the hamlet of [[Skelwith Bridge]] to the south and the smallest of the lakes, [[Elter Water]], and the village of [[Elterwater]], to the west. The tarn and the surrounding land of the High Close estate, once a hamlet of cottages, was originally owned by the Benson family, an then later the Balme family who extended and refurbished the farmhouse between 1866-76. Its 537 acres has been under the care of the National Trust since 1952.<ref>[https://national-trust.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=59d0d36e5b3a44ae8cc49fe38d47ffd7&marker=-3.0140460941411544%2C54.43323443117414%2C%2C%2C%2C&markertemplate=%7B%22title%22%3A%22High%20Close%20Estate%22%2C%22longitude%22%3A-3.0140460941411544%2C%22latitude%22%3A54.43323443117414%2C%22isIncludeShareUrl%22%3Atrue%7D&level=14 High Close Estate] National Trust Land Map. Accessed 3 May, 2023.</ref> On 1 January, 1954, it was leased to the Youth Hostel Association who have been receiving guests ever since.<ref>[https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-langdale YHA Langdale] Accessed 3 May, 2023.</ref>

 

The tarn is almost circular in form, 94 metres above sea level and has a shallow basin of 10.3 metres at the northern shore, with grassland, scattered woodland and wetland areas on its gentles slopes towards the shoreline.<ref name="smith">{{smith-tarns|20}}</ref> It sits perfectly in the most exquisite surroundings, which can be appreciated in all its glory from the various upper viewpoints on Loughrigg Fell or from the bridleway and footpath from the north and east of its periphery. It is from the raised grassy fringes that one can appreciate the natural beauty of the area set among the mature trees of oak and larch. The aforementioned Balme family were responsible for planting many of the trees along the bridleway, which was once part of their private driveway. One tree they did not plant, as landscape artist {{w1|William Heaton Cooper}} writes, "decided its own pattern of life....an oak tree was pollarded many years ago, and out of its hearts have sprouted a yew, a holly, a rowan and a silver birch."<ref>{{cooper-1960|181}}</ref> The [[Langdale Pikes]] are prominent on the western horizon. Something to look out for are the vibrant hues of oranges and reds of the setting sun, the colours fading to subtle pastels before the darkness sets in.

 

==Glacial origin==

 

 

 

==Etymology==

''Loughrigg'' comes from the Old English word ''[https://bosworthtoller.com/21882 luh]'', meaning lough / loch, which itself is a borrowing from the Welsh word ''llwchor'', and the Old Norse word ''[[wiktionary:hryggr|hryggr]]'', which means ridge (landform) and backbone, spine (anatomy). This word is also cognate with the Old English word ''[[wiktionary: hrycg|hrycg]]'', which also means spine.

 

 

==Parking==

 

==External sites==