Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston Estate

- Backblip - Lake District Day 4.

Driving in the Lake District is sometimes quite a challenge on the single track roads with passing places. The road gets even narrower when approaching Tarn Hows - which can be a problem in the height of the season, as it is one of the most visited places in the whole area.

We first walked around the Tarn (top left), enjoyed lunch beside waterlilies, watching thousands of blue dragonflies hovering over the water. A blip possibility perhaps, but I really wanted to capture something of the sheer beauty and grandeur of the place.

We had picked up a leaflet for a new 5 mile circular walk, following a route designed in the 19th century by James Garth Marshall, the landowner, to impress his guests. We headed down the valley past Tarn Hows Cottage (top right), through woods and farmland, across the styles and through gateways, heading down to Lake Coniston (bottom left). At the north end of the Lake, the Monk Coniston Estate has been developed, with a new tree trail and much improvement work done by volunteers on the walled garden. After enjoying the garden, we headed back up the valley and over another small dam created to provide water for the estate.

Marshall created Tarn Hows by damming up three smaller lakes creating a larger one, planting many new trees which he had imported from abroad.

The gazebo (bottom left) has some interpretation panels about the estate. I liked the idea of ladies taking tea in this little building years ago, admiring the views.

A new find for us, and I would recommend this walk.

F