Skelwith Bridge: Difference between revisions
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{{SHORTDESC:Small village near Great Langdale}}
{{Infobox
|image = Skelwith
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|historic name = ''Schelwath'' c.1246
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|historic county = [[Westmorland]]
|district = {{w1|Westmorland and Furness}}
|civil parish = [[Skelwith]]
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|website = [https://skelwith.community/ skelwith.community]
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'''Skelwith Bridge''' is a small village located in the civil parish of Skelwith, 2.5 miles west of [[Ambleside]]. Accessed via the A593, it lies at the opening of the [[Great Langdale]] valley, where it forks with the B5343 towards the village of [[Elterwater]]. The village provides visitors with accommodation and refreshments by way of the Skelwith Bridge Hotel and Chesters by the River Cafe. There is limited parking available for both. Multiple routes for walkers and cyclists can be taken from the village.
The [[River Brathay]] flows alongside the village where the double-arched stone bridge of the same name is situated. It’s source begins at [[Little Langdale Tarn]], although various streams feed this picturesque water catchment, which is owned by the {{w1|National Trust}}. The river then flows towards [[Elter Water]] before making its way to the popular [[Skelwith Force]], where great photo opportunities are available to those wanting to capture this small, but vibrant waterfall. During periods of prolonged rainfall
Historically, the River Brathay formed a physical boundary between the counties of Lancashire and [[Westmorland]].<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1245504?section=official-list-entry Skelwith Bridge] Historic England. Retrieved 28 February, 2023.</ref> The Local Government Act of 1972 saw the village fall within the South Lakeland district, however, since 1 April 2023, it lies within the newly established authority of {{w1|Westmorland and Furness}}.<ref>[https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/about-westmorland-and-furness-shadow-authority/ Westmorland and Furness Shadow Authority] Retrieved 28 February, 2023.</ref>
To the north of the village is [[Loughrigg Tarn]], a small, natural lake at the foot of [[Loughrigg Fell]]. The circumference of the lake can be walked via gravel paths and country roads. It is quintessentially small-scale Lake District with its rolling hills and beautiful green spaces set against the backdrop of bigger fells; the mighty [[Langdale Pikes]] standing tall in the distance.
==Etymology==
The name ''Skelwith'' refers to several place names of the same name: Skelwith Bridge, [[Skelwith Force]], Skelwith Fold and Skelwith Pool. ''Skelwith'' most likely comes from Old Norse ''[https://cleasby-vigfusson-dictionary.vercel.app/word/skjallr Skjallr]'' and ''[[wiktionary:vað|Vað]]'', which roughly translates to ''noisy ford'': a fording (crossing) place by the waterfall, in this case over the River Brathay.<ref name="whaley">{{Whaley|310}}</ref>
*'''''Skjallr''''': loud or shrill, referring to the cascading roar from the waterfall.
*'''''vað''''': ford, a place for crossing / wading.
Throughout the years ''Skelwith'' has been known by several variations of its original word, these being:
*1246 – ''Schelwath'', which basically means ''[[wiktionary:schel|schel]]'' (''shrill''), and Middle English ''[[wiktionary:wath|wath]]'' (''ford'').
*1332 – ''Skelwath''
*1537 – ''Skelwyth''
*1651 – ''Skelleth (bridge)''
*1688 – ''Skelwaith (bridge)''
*1693 – ''Skelwith (bridge)''
The current name was assumed when the bridge was built, therefore the fording place (''wath'') was subsequently forgotten.<ref>{{gambles|44}}</ref>
<div class="res-img">[[File:Skelwith Bridge and River Brathay (5323).jpg]]{{c|{{smaller|A slightly wider view as the sun's afternoon glow envelops the bridge}}}}</div>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{hatnote|{{improve article}}}}
[[Category:Skelwith Bridge]]
[[Category:Villages of the Lake District]]
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