The River Brathay, synonymous with its meandering calms near Elter Water, embarks on a journey from the fells to the east of Little Langdale to the popular shores of Windermere at Waterhead, near Ambleside. The Brathay may not be sizable in length but what it lacks here, it makes up for in other ways, especially as it passes through some beautiful countryside, taking in the sights of valley, lake, ford, weir and waterfall.
Most of the river’s length cannot be walked as there are limited paths that lie parallel or near its banks apart from those at Colwith Force, Elter Water, Skelwith Force, Skelwith Bridge and some paved sections of A593 and B5286 at Clappersgate. The sections that are walkable are on well-maintained gravel and paved paths.
The Brathay once formed part of the boundary between the historic counties of Lancashire and Westmorland before 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 breiðr and á meaning broad river,[1] named as such due to the historic widening of the river during heavy rainfall enveloping the lower flood plains.[2] This is a name familiar also in Iceland and the Faroes.
Known as Braitha 1157-1163.
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The Brathay shortly after it drains from Elter Water
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The Brathay looking towards Park Fell
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The Brathay from Skelwith Force looking towards Woodburn footbridge
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The Brathay’s course
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, along with Greenburn Beck, both flowing into the beautiful surroundings of Little Langdale Tarn, which is owned by the National Trust.
The Brathay weaves and winds its way, continuing east under the quirky and attractive Slater’s Bridge, the 17th century Grade II listed packhorse bridge, which has been trodden by millions of feet in its lifetime and photographed by many a traveller over its stone and slate arches.
From there it passes a fording place to the south of the hamlet of 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 12 metres (40 ft) in 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.
After Colwith Force, the Brathay turns 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. 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 so be sure to get your camera ready.
After Skelwith Bridge the Brathay continues an easterly course with the A593 until the hamlet of Clappersagte after which it joins the River Rothay, adjacent to the Roman fort of Galava in Ambleside, and its final flow into Brathay Bay at Waterhead.
Tributaries
- Wrynose Beck, from Wrynose Fell
- Widdy Gill, from Wrynose Pass
- Bleamoss Beck, from Blea Tarn
- Greenburn Beck, in Little Langdale Tarn
- Ben Beck, south of Colwith Force
- Great Langdale Beck, in Elter Water