River Brathay: Difference between revisions

Most of the river’s length cannot be walked as there are limited paths that lie parallel to or near its banks. There are some sections at [[Colwith Force]], [[Elter Water]], [[Skelwith Force]] and [[Skelwith Bridge]] that offer relaxed and, peaceful walking and, in particular, some rather interesting photographic opportunities. There are other paved sections of A593 and B5286 at [[Clappersgate]] but these can assault the senses with the humdrum of passing traffic. The quieter sections that are walkable are on well-maintained gravel paths.

The Brathay once formed part of the boundary between the historic counties of Lancashire and Westmorland before the local government re-organisation of 1974 effectively removed Lancashire's furthest reach from the present-day county of Cumbria. Evidence of Lancashire's extent is still evident in places like the popular [[Three Shires Inn]] at [[Little Langdale]] and the [[Three Shire Stone]] at [[Wrynose Pass]].

''Brathay'' comes from the Old Norse words ''[[wiktionary:breiðr|breiðr]]'' (Old English ''[[wiktionary:brad#Old_English|brād]]'') and ''[[wiktionary:á|á]]'' (cognate with Old English ''[[wiktionary:ea#Old_English|ēa]]'') meaning ''broad + river'',<ref>{{whaley|47}}</ref> named as such due to the historic widening of the river during heavy rainfall enveloping the lower flood plains.<ref>{{gambles|21}}</ref> This is a name familiar also in Iceland and the Faroes.

From its humble beginnings at the top of [[Wrynose Pass]] near the [[Three Shire Stone]], the combined waters of Widdy Gill and Wrynose Beck form the Brathay at the head of where these two streams meet. It journeys towards the valley floor passing the rocky prominence of [[Castle Howe]], the site of a possible iron age hill fort, and the ancient monument known as the [[Ting Mound]] at Fell Foot Farm. Blink and you will miss it, but it holds significant archaeological importance as the site of a man-made, early medieval open air meeting place, or Moot, dating back to the 7th–9th centuries.<ref>[https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA116967 Ting Mound at Fell Foot Farm, Little Langdale] The National Trust Heritage Records. Accessed 12 March, 2023.</ref> The Brathay, along with Greenburn Beck, both flowingflow into the beautiful surroundings of [[Little Langdale Tarn]], which is owned and managed by the {{w1|National Trust}}. along with several farms and Silverthwaite, a holiday rental cottage just off the B5343 after Skelwith Bridge.

The Brathay weaves and winds its way, continuing east under the quirky and attractive [[Slater’sSlater's Bridge]], the 17th century Grade II listed packhorse bridge,<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1245295?section=official-list-entry Slater's Bridge] Historic England Official List Entry. Accessed 12 March, 2023.</ref> which has been trodden by millions of feet in its lifetime and photographed by many a traveller over its stone and slate archesarch. The stones atop, rounded and rutted by centuries of footfall, tell a story of hard work and hard times by those who crossed it during the early days of slate mining in the Tilberthwaite fells, crossing the bridge as a thoroughfare for Little Langdale and beyond. Today, most people cross the Brathay here for pleasure and a well-earned drink at the [[Three Shires Inn]].

From there it passes a fording place to the south of the hamlet of [[Little Langdale (hamlet)|Little Langdale]], where the [[Three Shires Inn]] is located, and a set of stepping stones near High Park, before it arrives at [[Colwith Force]], dropping a total of around 12 metres (40 ft) in tiers through a narrow gorge. There are a couple of places where the tumble and fall of white waters provides a dramatic backdrop for the casual photographer, however, caution must be advised as they have steep drops to the rock below.

<div class="res-img">[[File:ElterRiver WaterBrathay lookingat towardsSkelwith Park FellBridge (46064662).jpeg]]{{c|<small>The Brathay from [[Skelwith Force]] looking towards [[ParkWoodburn Fellfootbridge]]</small>}}</div>

After Colwith Force, the Brathay turnscircles around the slightly higher ground at Low Park, moving northwards towards the privately-owned [[Elter Water]], where its other inflow is that of the [[Great Langdale Beck]]. The water here is picturesque, with an air of calm and tranquillity where Whooper Swans<ref group="lower-alpha">Whooper swans, pronounced ''hooper'', also known as the common swan, is one of the most powerful and heaviest flying bird, and can be seen leisurely swimming [[Elter Water]] and the Brathay, searching for food.</ref> Looking east there are superb views of [[Lingmoor Fell]] and the [[Langdale Pikes]] towering beyond. Its banks are walkable along the [[Cumbria Way]] and every direction has something to offer.

Further along is the [[Woodburn footbridge]] and shortly after that is the small-in-stature but no less charming, [[Skelwith Force]] with its 4.6 metres (15 feet) drop. Further photographic opportunities are a must before continuing on towards the hamlet of [[Skelwith Bridge]]. A suitable rest stop can be found in Chesters by the River where refreshments can be enjoyed from on outdoor space suited to watching the river flow by with its local population of birds and waterfowl. Robins frequent here in search of a tasty morsel of your unwanted scone or flapjack crumbs so be sure to get your camera ready.

<div class="res-img">[[File:River Brathay at Skelwith BridgeForce (46624644).jpeg]]{{c|<small>The Brathaywaters fromof [[Skelwith Force]] lookingunder towardsnormal [[Woodburn footbridge]]conditions</small>}}</div>

After Skelwith Bridge the Brathay continues an easterly course with the A593 until the hamlet of [[ClappersagteClappersgate]] after which it joins the [[River Rothay]], adjacent to the [[Ambleside Roman Fort|Roman fort of Galava]] in [[Ambleside]], and its final flow into Brathay Bay at [[Waterhead]].