The Lake District (England’s Largest National Park)
The Lake District is England’s largest National Park, situated in the north west county of Cumbria. It’s a popular walking holiday destination.
Always stick to the Countryside Code to help protect all creatures. If near to lakes or coastal areas (there are a few), read up on water safety for dogs.
England’s largest body of water is Lake Windermere (in the news these days due to issues with sewage pollution). The area has strong literary connections (William Wordsworth warned not to put a railway station at Windermere, for fears of over-tourism). He was right.
Rewilding is a big thing in the Lake District, since the last golden eagle died on the remote eastern fells. Birds of prey are wild creatures, so should always be left alone, unless you know they are injured or in danger. Parents are usually nearby, so observe if concerned. Read more on how to help England’s birds of prey.
Visiting all 36 Islands of the Lake District
36 Islands is an adventure book with a difference, a poet who decides to visit all 36 islands in England’s largest National Park (some no more than rocks, others perfect for a night of wild camping).
Armed with just an inflatable canoe (and inspired by Inspired by Wainwright and Wordsworth), the author journeys beyond the tourists and busy roads, to islands both real and remembered.
You can feel the chill of waters creeping into your bones, as Twigger paddles his way to some of the most inaccessible spots. Shaun Bythell
He visits all the well-known lakes (and some not – who has heard of Devoke Water?) It’s usually raining, but he’s an irrepressible optimist. Fiona Reynolds
Robert Twigger is an award-winning poet, whose 12 books have been translated into over 20 languages. He has also crossed Canada in a homemade canoe, and was the first person to travel on foot across the Egyptian Great Sand Sea.
His previous book Walking the Great North Line saw him travel in a straight line from Stonehenge to Lindisfarne, to discover secrets of our ancient past.
Why Does it Rain So Much in the Lake District?
The Lake District (England’s largest National Park) is officially the wettest place in England. Here you can be soaked to the skin within minutes of a downpour. So be sure to bring your natural rubber wellies and windproof umbrella, when visiting!
So why is this area of northwest England rainier than everywhere else? It’s all to do with the nearby Atlantic Ocean, which carries large amounts of moisture from the wind. Mountains (all of England’s highest ones are here) force air to rise. This causes ‘orographic lift. As air rises and cools, it can’t hold moisture, so water vapour then condensed into rain clouds – and lots of them!
Many areas of southern England instead have ‘showers’ which usually fall from individual clouds, with dry sunny intervals in between. In Sussex say, you could have a downpour and the pavement will be dry within an hour.
But in Cumbria, that doesn’t happen. The ground stays wet for ages, which is why farmers have a constant battle using sprays to prevent foot rot on sheep, as the grass never dries out in winter.
The Met Office will always describe this kind of heavy rain in forecasts as ‘prolonged’ or ‘persistent’ rain.
