As we were staying at the Haweswater Hotel recently, we decided to spend a day exploring the surrounding countryside. There are various walks and footpaths in the area including one round Haweswater Reservoir ( some sections are currently closed after the bad weather earlier in the year) and others that go up into the hills. After looking at a map we decided to head up to a small tarn called appropriately enough Small Water. 🙂 There is a little car park at the far end of Haweswater where we parked. First things first though, Hugo had to take a dip in the lake.
Haweswater is actually a reservoir and was built in the thirties. Controversially the valley, existing lake and the village of Mardale Green were flooded to create it. Haweswater supplies water to the city of Manchester, to this day. It is situated in the North East of the Lake District.
About an hours walk up the path and Small Water Tarn emerges from over a rocky crag. What a rewarding scene! We didn’t see a single person and had it all to ourselves. 🙂
The path continues up onto ‘High Street’, yes that is the name of a mountain fell. 🙂 Another tarn called Blea Water is somewhere over those crags too. But we decided to head back toward Haweswater and follow some of the path round the lake.
From the car park we followed the signpost saying Eagle Viewing Point. Here’s a sad story actually. Until very recently ( only a few months ago in fact) Haweswater and Riggindale , was the home to England’s only Golden Eagle. Alone here since 2004, he had been displaying every Spring in order to attract a mate. Not this Spring though. Maybe he has passed away. Or maybe he has finally given up and flown North. What I can’t understand though, is why the RSPB never tried introducing another female eagle into the area. It’s a shame….
Although the eagle is no longer in residence here there are chances to see plenty of wildlife including Peregrines, Ring Ouzels, Red Deer, Goosander, Flycatchers and Dippers.And the countryside, I’m sure you will agree is just stunning. 🙂
Have you ever walked to a secluded tarn? Have you ever been to Haweswater?
sunshine and celandines 
Lovely photographs, will have to visit the area again once I can rouse David from his current malaise 😦 x
I am sure you will soon.x
Great photo of the shrike! Looks like you had a great time
Thank you! It has been pointed out to me that my shrike is actually a wheatear ,so I must correct that. Lovely to see though.
Lovely photo either way… Toddles off to look up wheatears and shrikes as I clearly don’t know the difference.
What a brilliant walk! I really must visit the Lake District one day!
Your great grey shrike is actually a wheatear. It would have been brilliant if it was shrike as they are much rarer!
The Lake District is beautiful.I love all the lakes and smaller tarns.But yes you might be right about my shrike being a wheatear.They are not birds I am familiar with,so whatever it is I am happy,as I have never seen either before.x
Lovely pics – and thanks again for putting me straight that Haweswater is the reservoir that has the village hidden beneath,
I’m planning on visiting Small Water this October (hopefully the weather will get better) and saw your post. Small Water looks lovely, a good beach to enter the water. So looking forward to our little break away. It’s going to be so jam packed!!! 🙂 xx
Oh wonderful. It was a nice walk up the fells to Small water. Yout trip will be wonderful. Excited for you. 🙂 x