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{{SHORTDESC:Small village near Great Langdale}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox settlements |
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|name = Skelwith Bridge |
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|image |
|image = Skelwith Bridge and River Brathay (5324).jpg |
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|name = Skelwith Bridge |
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|historic name = ''Schelwath'' c.1246 |
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|image-caption = |
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|name meaning = Shrill or noisy ford |
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|name origin = Middle English from Old Norse |
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|population = |
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|historic county = [[Westmorland]] |
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|etymology = ''Skjallr'' → loud or resounding<ref name="whaley"/> |
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|district = {{w1|Westmorland and Furness}} |
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|civil parish = [[Skelwith]] |
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<!---------------------LOCATION--> |
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|post town = [[Ambleside]] |
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|map = {{#display_map:54.421944,-3.0122222|service=leaflet|fullscreen=yes|static=yes|zoom=15|width=|height=280}} |
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|postcode = LA22 |
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|coordinates = {{osm|54.421944|-3.0122222|15}} |
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|website = [https://skelwith.community/ skelwith.community] |
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|topo-map = OL07 Explorer / 90 Landranger |
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<!---------------------GOVERNANCE--> |
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|latitude = 54.421585 |
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|longitude = -3.011796 |
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|os-grid = NY 3442 0342 |
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|w3w = agents.fidelity.eggs |
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|gallery = [[Skelwith Bridge/Gallery]] |
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|postcode = LA22 |
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|website = |
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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. |
'''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. |
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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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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 |
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> |
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*'''''Skjallr''''': loud or shrill, referring to the cascading roar from the waterfall |
*'''''Skjallr''''': loud or shrill, referring to the cascading roar from the waterfall. |
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*'''''vað''''': ford, a place for crossing / wading. |
*'''''vað''''': ford, a place for crossing / wading. |
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Throughout the years ''Skelwith'' has been known by several variations of its original word, these being: |
Throughout the years ''Skelwith'' has been known by several variations of its original word, these being: |
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*1688 – ''Skelwaith (bridge)'' |
*1688 – ''Skelwaith (bridge)'' |
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*1693 – ''Skelwith (bridge)'' |
*1693 – ''Skelwith (bridge)'' |
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The current name was assumed when the bridge was built, therefore the fording place (''wath'') was subsequently forgotten.<ref>{{gambles|44}}</ref> |
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<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> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{hatnote|{{improve article}}}} |
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[[Category:Skelwith Bridge]] |
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[[Category:Villages of the Lake District]] |
[[Category:Villages of the Lake District]] |
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[[Category:Articles that require images]] |
Latest revision as of 16:44, 26 January 2024
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Skelwith Bridge | ||
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Historic Name | Schelwath c.1246 | |
Name Meaning | Shrill or noisy ford | |
Name Origin | Middle English from Old Norse | |
Historic County | Westmorland | |
District | Westmorland and Furness | |
Civil Parish | Skelwith | |
Post Town | Ambleside | |
Postcode | LA22 | |
Dialling Code | 015394 | |
Coordinates | 54.421585 , -3.011796 | |
what3words | agents.fidelity.eggs | |
Website | skelwith.community | |
Photo Gallery | Skelwith Bridge/Gallery |
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 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 some areas of the waterfall, crossed via a small metal bridge, are not accessible due to higher river levels and rapid water.
Historically, the River Brathay formed a physical boundary between the counties of Lancashire and Westmorland.[1] 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 Westmorland and Furness.[2]
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 Skjallr and Vað, which roughly translates to noisy ford: a fording (crossing) place by the waterfall, in this case over the River Brathay.[3]
- 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 schel (shrill), and Middle English 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.[4]
References
- ↑ Skelwith Bridge Historic England. Retrieved 28 February, 2023.
- ↑ Westmorland and Furness Shadow Authority Retrieved 28 February, 2023.
- ↑ Whaley, Diana (2006). A Dictionary of Lake District Place-Names. English Place-Name Society. School of English Studies, University of Nottingham. p.310.
- ↑ Gambles, Robert (1985). Lake District Place-Names. 2nd Edition. Dalesman Books. p.44.