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Skelwith Bridge: Difference between revisions

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|etymology = ''Skjallr'' → loud or resounding<ref name="whaley"/>

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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.


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 the lower level of the waterfall, which is usually crossed via a small metal bridge, is not accessible due to rapid, higher river levels.
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 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]].<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>
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.
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://old-icelandic.vercel.app/word/skjallr Skallr]'' and ''[[wiktionary:vað|Vað]]'', which roughly translates to ''loud'' or ''noisy ford'': a crossing place by the waterfall.
*'''''Skjallr''''': loud or shrill, referring to the cascading roar from the waterfall and would have provided a guide to the crossing place or ford.<ref name="whaley">{{Whaley|}}</ref>
*'''''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)''


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 12:32, 1 March 2023

Skelwith Bridge
[[File:|center|px]]
Name origin Old Norse
Etymology Skjallr → loud or resounding[1]
Location
Loading map...
Coordinates 54.421944 / -3.0122222
OS grid reference NY 34421 03422
Governance
Historic county Westmorland
District Westmorland and Furness
Civil parish Skelwith
Post town Ambleside
Postcode LA22
Dialling code 015394

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.[2] 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.[3]

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 Skallr and Vað, which roughly translates to loud or noisy ford: a crossing place by the waterfall.

  • Skjallr: loud or shrill, referring to the cascading roar from the waterfall and would have provided a guide to the crossing place or ford.[1]
  • 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)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Whaley, Diana (2006). A Dictionary of Lake District Place-Names. English Place-Name Society. School of English Studies, University of Nottingham. p..
  2. Skelwith Bridge Historic England. Retrieved 28 February, 2023.
  3. Westmorland and Furness Shadow Authority Retrieved 28 February, 2023.
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