Thirlmere walk - short Lake District walks

Route: Thirlmere

Area: Central Lake District

Date of walk: 20th December 2017

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 1.9 miles

Ascent: 300 feet

Weather: Low cloud and mist, clearing later

About 3 months ago I’d enjoyed a lovely walk along the shore of Thirlmere (click here for it), and was keen to revisit the area not only to admire its beauty once again, but to raise awareness of the fact that Thirlmere has attracted the attentions of the developers and is under grave threat from their ambitions. Plans have been submitted for a ‘Thirlmere Activity Hub’ part of which involves the installation of 8 zip wires from one side of the lake (which is technically a reservoir) to the other. I’m not alone in taking the view that this is a dreadful idea, given that Thirlmere is in the National Park and part of a World Heritage Site. There are surely less sensitive areas where thrill seekers can be accommodated. Full details of the scheme may be found at Friends of the Lake District where you will also see how to formally object to the proposals if you feel as I do about them – note that the deadline for objections is 2nd January

Today’s short walk started on the eastern shore of Thirlmere and, after parking at the Station Coppice car park near Swirls, I set off on a short circular walk to a nearby rocky viewpoint. The views in truth were rather lacking today thanks to low lying cloud and mist. I descended from the viewpoint back to the start and then made a ‘there and back’ walk to the shoreline. After enjoying some peace and quiet by the water’s edge and, reflecting for a while on how this would be shattered by the noise of the zip wire above, I returned to the car. I feel great sadness that if the application presently under consideration is passed I will feel unable to return to this place

I hope that the photos which follow which show why I’m opposed to the proposal to develop this lovely landscape

Postscript: the plan for the proposed development was subsequently withdrawn in February 2018

For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box

Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)

Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow

As I arrive in Thirlmere, the local residents make their feelings clear

The start of today's short walk as I follow the sign along the permissive footpath

Thanks to United Utilities for providing numerous paths in the Thirlmere area

Thirlmere is 3.5 miles long, 1.2 miles wide and 158 feet deep. It was originally two smaller lakes, which were purchased by Manchester City Corporation Waterworks in 1889. The area was dammed and became one vast reservoir. In the process, the settlements of Armboth and Wythburn were submerged, the only remaining building being the church at Wythburn

Looking along the valley from the viewpoint

Deergarth How Island

Looking south from the viewpoint

I descend back to the start

Having completed the short circuit I follow the path to the lakeshore

I pass by the new underpass below the A591

Path to the lakeshore

A small rock outcrop on the eastern shore, unnamed on the OS maps

I follow the main path, with occasional diversions to the rocky beaches below...

On reaching the beach below Dalehead Hall I retrace my steps back to the start

At the end of the walk, a chance encounter with acclaimed film maker Terry Abraham who is being filmed by ITV News about the controversial zip wire project. Terry's views coincide with mine I'm glad to say