(by 3 people)
ENNERDALE - Lakeland's 'Secret' Valley
Ennerdale, the most Westerly valley in England's beutiful Lake District is not on the average tourist's itinerary. This is mainly because ti has no road for most of its length and also because it is, by road, too far from the beaten track of coach trips.
This, naturally, means that it has retained much of its wild character, despite the best efforts of the foresters to envelope the valley floor in non-native conifers, to provide cheap, fast growing timber.
These days the valley is the subject of plans to return the wildness to its character in full. You can learn more about this via links from this lens.
Ennerdale was the place I first experienced the Lake District, when just seven years old, my father and I arrived in darkness and walked the forest road to Gillerthwaite and stayed at the youth hostel there. Excited by this new adventure, I awoke ridiculously early and went out onto the verandah and watched day break over the forest. Since that morning I have been smitten by this valley, not to mention the whole area.
I hope this lens will help you to learn more about this very special valley...but don't tell everyone how great it is!
Chris Jordan
NEW MINISTER HEADS TO ENNERDALE
Published on 25/07/2007
A NEW government minister is heading to Cumbria tomorrow.Jonathan Shaw, who has responsibility for landscapes and rural affairs, will be making his first visit to the national park.He will hear about attempts to attract "hard to reach" groups such as youngsters, urban communities and ethnic minorities to the Lake District.
Mr Shaw will be shown this year's osprey chicks at Bassenthwaite Lake. He will also walk up Latrigg Fell on the outskirts of Keswick, to see work being carried out on a special high-level path for people with limited mobility.
The minister will be briefed about the landscape management plan to preserve wild Ennerdale.
He will also hear about the economic value that wildlife projects such as the ospreys can bring to local communities.
Lake District National Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe said: "We are delighted and proud that the minister's first national park visit will be to the Lake District.
"These are exciting but challenging times for all of us who are privileged to help manage this fantastic landscape for residents, visitors and businesses.
"It is vital that we are able to brief the minister personally at this early opportunity to make him fully aware of the issues facing all of us."
Mr Shaw said: "I am delighted to be visiting the Lake District to see what the national park is doing to benefit the landscape, wildlife and people.
"Our national parks are a great example of the joined-up approach we need to protecting the countryside while addressing social and environmental challenges such as climate change and the need for rural jobs and affordable housing.
"I want to help the national parks encourage as many people as possible from all walks of life to enjoy the natural environment and the outdoor life, supporting rural communities at the same time."
Latest News from BBC Cumbria
News from the Region
Not just Ennerdale but the local BBC news for the Cumbria region.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byA BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ENNERDALE
From top to bottom it's a glorious tract of land!
From the wild bowl around Black Sail Youth Hostel (pictured), all the way to the Western shore of tranquil Ennerdale Water, the valley is generally peaceful. The upper reaches feature classical glacial features including many drumlins at the dale head. The Northern side of the valley is comprised of one of the most dramatic and airy ridge walks in the area, from Green Gable, Haystacks, High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike and on to Great Borne (Herdus to some!) this walk entails a big climb and some spectacular views, well worth the effort. On the southern side is less crowded country, with the ridge from Great Gable via Kirk Fell, Pillar, Steeple, Haycock, Scoat Fell etc marking the boundary with Wasdale Head and it's version of Mosedale. This walk would also facilitate a close-up inspection of the infamous mass of Pillar Rock, high on the slopes above the River Liza, Ennerdale's crystal clear river.The Yout Hostels Association is well represented in Ennerdale, with the legendary Black Sail Hut at the head of the valley's floor and Gillerthwaite lower down, just above the lake.
Ennerdale Water is a very peaceful sheet of water generally. It is known for its char, a very special fish indeed, and posses char dubs...I'll let you discover what that means!
All in all, Ennerdale's villageless, publess length (at least from the lake upwards) promotes a peace and tranquility which is rare in these Isles.
Enjoy it while you can, and please support the Black sail Restoration fund...linked further down this lens.
Chris Jordan
ORDER BOOKS ABOUT ENNERDALE AND THE LAKE DISTRICT
Your direct link to Amazon...please order through this lens
These titles are selected for you as they cover the Ennerdale area within their content.
Please order and enjoy.
Please order and enjoy.
On Foot in the Lake District
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Wainwright Pictoral Guides, Book 7: Western Fells, 50th Anniversary Edition (Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells)
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/19/2008)
North Western Fells (Wainwright Book Six; a Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells)
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/19/2008)
Western Fells on Horseback ('...on Horseback)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Mid Western Fells: Lakeland Fellranger Series (Lakeland Fellranger)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
PEOPLE
- Alfred Wainwright
- Alfred Wainwright
Alfred ("A.") Wainwright MBE (17 January 1907 - 20 January 1991) was a British hillwalker, guidebook author and illustrator. His seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lake District Fells is his masterpiece.
His ashes are scattered on Haystacks, his favourite place, high above Ennerdale's head. - Chris Bonington
- All the latest news on Sir Chris Bonington and his latest and next expeditions. Recently updated to include new picture library and bookstore.
ENNERDALE ACTIVITIES
Walk, Play, canoe...whatever you want to do...
Links for activities in the area
- The South Ridge of Ennerdale - Great Gable, Pillar and Red Pike - A Superb Walk
- Great Gable and Pillar walk description
- An Ennerdale Round - Walk
- Ennerdale Round walk description - long but rewarding
- Haycock plus from Ennerdale - Walk
- Broadmoor, Ennerdale - Crag Fell - Iron Crag - Caw Fell - Little Gowder Crag - Haycock - Tewit How - Ennerdale Water - Broadmoor, Ennerdale
- Fell & Rock Climbing Club of The English Lake District
- Welcome to the web site of the FRCC, the premier climbing club based in the English Lake District.
- High Stile Ridge - Walk
- High Stile Ridge
Buttermere - Scale Force - Red Pike - High Stile - High Crag - Haystacks - Warnscale Bottom - Buttermere (Grid ref. NY 173169)
Total Distance 9.7 miles, Total Ascent 3100 feet, Equivalent Distance 16.0 One of the Classic Lakeland Ridges! - Mountain Biking in Ennerdale
- Mountain Biking - Ennerdale
ENNERDALE LINKS
SITES ON ENNERDALE AND ITS ENVIRONS
Click and Learn about the area....
- Wild Ennerdale Partnership
- The Wild Ennerdale partnership website -all you need to know about one of the wildest valleys in England
- Forestry Commission - Ennerdale
- Forestry Commission page on Ennerdale's recreation facilities. Useful stuff.
- Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre
- Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre is an Educational Charity offering individual and group accommodation in the Western Lake District in the unspoilt valley of Ennerdale, Cumbria, England
- Ennerdale Images
- Framed prints of Ennerdale and Pillar Fell, The Lake District
ENNERDALE ACCOMMODATION
Places to stay as you discover Ennerdale's charms!
Please note that these have not been tested by the lensmaster, their inclusion here does not constitute a recommendation...they're just placed here to save you searching interminably!
- Ennerdale View, West Cumbria - Bed and Breakfast
- Ennerdale View, West Cumbria - Bed and Breakfast.
- The Shepherds Arms Hotel, Ennerdale Bridge
- The Shepherds Arms Hotel, Ennerdale Bridge, Lake District
- Routen House Self Catering Accommodation in Ennerdale
- Routen House: Group accommodation for up to 12 people in Ennerdale, the English Lake District.
- Far Moor End, Ennerdale
- Far Moor End: Group accommodation for up to 10 people in Ennerdale, the English Lake District.
- Alexander's Barn, nr Ennerdale
- Self catering accommodation near Ennerdale and heart of
Enlish Lake District. - Bradleys Accommodation and Horse riding centre, Ennerdale Bridge
- Horse Riding and Accommodation ...all in one place!
- Black Sail Hut - YHA
- Black Sail Youth Hostel, in The Lake District, Cumbria
- Ennerdale (Gillerthwaite) Youth Hostel,
- Ennerdale (Gillerthwaite) Youth Hostel, based in The Lake District
- Caravan Club Site - Dockray Meadow , Ennerdale Bridge
- Offical site of the Caravan Club, showing their nearby site at Dockray Meadow
- Chris Bonington - Ennerdale Partnership Figure
- All the latest news on Sir Chris Bonington and his latest and next expeditions. Recently updated to include new picture library and bookstore.
GREEN GABLE VIDEO
Green Galbe courtesy of those nice folk at YouTube
Green Gable stands just across Windy Gap from the mighty Great Gable. Much overlooked in favour of its loftier neighbour, it still affords magnificent panaoramas!
Green Gable - English Lake District
Had a stroll up Green Gable 10.02.07, and the conditions where a little fresh!
Runtime: 0:37
156 views
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gwkell
Thanks for the great lens. I'd like more information about Catering Services and Ennerdale. Posted March 02, 2008 |
CHRIS BONINGTON LENDS SUPPORT TO BLACK SAIL!
Youth Hostel Restoration Fund needs YOUR support too!
Mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington is lending his support to a campaign to raise funds to revamp his favourite Youth Hostel, the iconic YHA Black Sail at Ennerdale in the Lake District.Sir Chris is heading a campaign to raise £250,000 to pay for much-needed refurbishment works at both Black Sail, a former shepherd's bothy, and its sister hostel, YHA Ennerdale, four miles down the valley.
Black Sail is the most remote Youth Hostel in the UK, being two-and-a-half miles from the nearest road in some of the most unspoilt countryside in England.
So far, around £150,000 of the required funding has been secured, but work needs to begin soon to comply with the terms of various grants awarded.
Anyone interested in contributing to the fund should contact Helen Johnson on (01629) 592602, email helenjohnson@yha.org.uk, or call the Freefone line 0800 652 4885.
Press contact: Paul Fearn on (01629) 592775
Email: paulfearn@yha.org.uk
Web: www.yha/org.uk
