Little Langdale in the Lake District, England

Little Langdale in the Lake District, England

 

Little Langdale is a valley in the Lake District, England, containing Little Langdale Tarn and a hamlet also called Little Langdale. A second tarn, Blea Tarn, is in a hanging valley between Little Langdale and the larger Great Langdale to the north.

Little Langdale is flanked on the south and southwest by Wetherlam and Swirl How, and to the north and northwest by Lingmoor Fell and Pike of Blisco.

The valley descends to join with Great Langdale above Elter Water.

A view across Little Langdale with Little Langdale Tarn clearly visible in the middle of the photo. Taken from a high point on the Wrynose Pass looking eastwards

 

Langdale was previously known as Langdene meaning 'far away wooded valley' and referring to its distance along the flint route from Whitley Bay.

 

 

 

Slater Bridge on the route between Little Langdale and Tilberthwaite

Slater's Bridge over the River Brathay between Little Langdale and Coniston, Cumbria. Wrynose Pass is on the horizon in the background.

 

Little Langdale village in 1974

 

The large pillar in 'The Cathedral' in Cathedral Quarries

Cathedral quarries. The pillar was cleverly left by the miners to keep the roof up.

 

Ruined buildings and spoilheaps at Greenburn mine in summer 2011

 

Blea Tarn

Blea Tarn is situated in a small hanging valley between Great Langdale and Little Langdale. 

 

Lingmoor Fell and Little Langdale from Grasmere

Blea Tarn from Lingmoor Fell

Blea Tarn with Rakerigg, Blake Rigg and Pike of Blisco from Lingmoor Fell

 

Farmhouse

The farmhouse was built in the 17th century, with a later 19th-century addition, and is currently listed at Grade II.  It is a National Trust property rented to a local family and is no longer a working farm. The farmhouse and tarn are both mentioned in Wordsworth's 'The Solitary':

"...to the south
Was one small opening, where a heath-clad ridge
Supplied a boundary less abrupt and close;
A quiet treeless nook, with two green fields,
A liquid pool that glittered in the sun,
and one bare Dwelling; one Abode, no more !
It seemed the home of poverty and toil
Though not of want: the little fields, made green
By husbandry of many thrifty years,
Paid cheerful tribute to the moorland House. ..."

— William Wordsworth, 1814

 

Little Langdale Tarn

Little Langdale Tarn is a natural tarn within a marshy area of the valley. The area around the tarn is managed by the National Trust and has no public access.

Little Langdale Tarn

 

View of Little Langdale Tarn and Swirl How

 

 

 

Little Langdale in the Lake District, England

 

The lowland known as Little Langdale has inspired countless artists and poets, just like the rest of England's Lake District. You'll note that nothing about this vast ravine feels 'little': It's only called that to differentiate it from the next valley over, Great Langdale. This cozy corner of Cumbria was once a trading crossroads, valued by merchants and smugglers alike for its proximity to mountain passes. Nowadays it's popular with hikers, climbers, and other adventurers looking for a pastoral and poetic paradise.

 

Blea Tarn  Little Langdale

 

Great Langdale seen from the top of Rossett Pike

 

The Langdale Pikes and the Langdale Boulders, Great Langdale.