Route: Little Langdale
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 30th November 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.9 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Very windy, some rain, some hail and a few bright patches
We parked on the roadside near Skelwith Bridge – if there are no spaces left Elterwater would be a good alternative starting point for this circular walk. We joined the path which follows the course of the River Brathay. Thanks to plenty of recent rain, Skelwith Force was on top form as we made our way along the riverbank. The path, which is part of the Cumbria Way, opens out onto one of the most beautiful stretches of Lakeland as it winds its way around Elter Water, with views of the Langdale Pikes in the background. Thanks to the beauty and accessibility of the path it can be a little too busy at times but this wasn’t the case today
On reaching the village of Elterwater we crossed the bridge to follow the other side of the River Brathay, passing through some slate quarries – a reminder of the industrial nature of this area, both past and present. We then headed south through Sawrey’s Wood to enter into Little Langdale. At Wilson Place we followed the lane through the village, resisting the temptation to call in to the Three Shires Inn for refreshments
Beyond the village we crossed over Slater Bridge, a 17th century packhorse bridge between Tilberthwaite and Little Langdale which enabled the quarry men to cross the River Brathay to the workings either side. From here we turned east to follow a path, mostly through woodland, which brought us back to Skelwith Bridge and the end of a walk which never fails to please, whatever the weather
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Earlier in the week, and on the other side of the country, a visit to Donna Nook. Grey seals come to breed here every year - a wonderful wildlife spectacle

Skelwith Force - it's possible to venture out onto the rocks for a better photo but I decided not to risk it in today's conditions

We continue through the quarry - this is part of the history of lakeland and I find the contrast between the foreground and background rather attractive...

We leave the old mining road to join a path through Sawrey's Wood which will take us into Little Langdale

The bridge was built in the 16th century and consists of 3 spans supported by a large mid-stream boulder

A sudden downpour ends, and we are treated to the sight of a rainbow over the fells behind Elterwater