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Some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lake District can be found in the Langdale Valley, a collection of picturesque villages set in a dramatic landscape dominated by giant fells that are perfect for high fell walking.
The jagged outlines of Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and the Langdale Pikes at the head of Great Langdale are an awe-inspiring sight when seen against the dramatic U-shaped trough of the valley. This stunning landscape was forged by an ancient volcano, sculpted during the Ice Age and slowly tamed by humans over the centuries. On the other side of Lingmoor Fell is the much gentler terrain of Little Langdale – a pastoral valley gently scarred by 18th-century slate workings. Imagine a scene of white-washed farmhouses tucked in at the bottom of the fells, valley fields encased by dry stone walls, pockets of coppice woodland and herds of Herdwick sheep contentedly grazing on the lush pastures. Yes, we like it too.
At the top of the volcanic Langdale Pikes is probably Europe’s largest Stone Age axe factory, the discarded chippings that make up the debris-strewn screes the most telling clue that Neolithic people valued the slate to make tools and weapons.
At the entrance to Great Langdale are the green-slate villages of Chapel Stile and Elterwater. Both villages developed on the back of gunpowder manufacture and slate extraction. Nowadays, Elterwater exudes the charm of a typical English rural village with a picturesque country inn overlooking an attractive green.
Formed by volcanic activity some 450 million years ago, the hard rocks of the Langdales were very much in demand during the Neolithic Age (roughly 4000 to 2000 BC). Extruded lavas overlain with ash deposits and squeezed into alternating bands of slate and tuff were easily ‘knapped’ into sharp edges, perfect for making stone axes and adzes.
Pieces of tuff were quarried from the rock face and roughly hewn into the approximate shape of an axe head. The rough-outs were then taken to coastal or lowland sites for fashioning into smooth axe tools. Examples of these rough-hewn and polished stone axes can be seen at the Ruskin Museum in Coniston and at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle. Neolithic people also carved the strange petroglyphs that can be seen at Copt How near Chapel Stile.
The Romans didn’t much in the area, but they did drive a road through Little Langdale that linked Hardknott Fort in Eskdale with Galava at Ambleside. It was the arrival of the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries that really had an impact. Their longhouses were the forerunners of today’s farmhouses, but perhaps their most telling legacy is a linguistic one: topographical features like pike, dale, beck, gill and how all come from ancient Norse. Behind Fell Foot Farm is an unusual flat-topped mound known as a ‘ting mound’ (or meeting point of a Norse council), conspicuously sited at a junction of ancient routes linking west and central Cumbria.
Slate was the local building material. Farmhouses, dry stone walls, packhorse bridges and even churches were all built out of this distinctive green stone. Quarrying started in earnest in the mid-18th century, and at its peak there were around 30 active quarries. Today, only Elterwater Quarry is still in production, but the scars of slate extraction are still visible on the southern flanks of Little Langdale giving rise to an almost alien world of massive spoil heaps, gaping tunnels and arching caverns. It was not only slate that was extracted but also copper and iron ore. At Greenburn mine in Little Langdale it is possible to wander among the remains of the copper workings and imagine how the mine operated.
Elterwater - Elterwater means ‘swan lake’ in Old Norse. This pretty little village is the gateway to Great Langdale. A recommended approach to the lake for walkers is through the forests that surround the western side, which leads downstream to Skelwith Force.
Skelwith Bridge - The village of Skelwith Bridge is situated between Ambleside and Elterwater. A well-trodden walking path runs parallel to the River Brathay providing a low-level and relaxing walk to Elterwater further into the Langdale valley.
Little Langdale - On the other side of Lingmoor Fell is the much gentler terrain of Little Langdale - a verdant, pastoral valley containing the softened scars of 18th-century slate workings.
Blea Tarn - This popular gentle walk is a favourite with visotrs and locals alike, who want to experience the beauty of the area.
Did you know?
Elterwater lies in an attractive setting, a few miles west of Ambleside, hidden behind Loughrigg…
For many, Scafell Pike is the ultimate mountain day and presides high on the bucket list. We can…
Broadrayne is a traditional Lakeland Farm with a small cluster of former 17th to 19th century farm…
National Trust property on main footpath up to Langdale Pikes. A lovely river walk past small and…
Join us for an incredible adventure in the Great Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District…
Fun, adventure and good times guaranteed! Why not come and ride the White Water with us? We have…
Beautiful 19th Century Lakeland inn set in quiet balley with stunning scenery. Lovely rooms,…
This contemporary bistro with beds is a stone’s throw from the idyllic village of Grasmere.
Develop outdoor skills with us - we offer abseiling and navigation courses in Langdale, Coniston…
For many people their first view of the Langdale Pikes is the famous one across Lake Windermere…
On the Brathay river, Colwith Force is a stunning waterfall with a drop of 55ft. Look for the A593…
Rising at the head of Langdale, Bowfell is a beautiful conical peak that has commanding views all…
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and…
We offer a range of private group experiences across the county, including ghyll scrambling,…
The abseil is around 100-120 feet and you also get to have an explore around Hodge Close Quarry.…
Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain at 978m. Its summit is marked by a huge cairn and…
Our ghyll scrambling, gorge walking & canyoning experiences around Langdale suit most fitness…
This independent, hostel is perfectly situated in the picturesque village of Elterwater, at the…
Sca Fell is a little lower at 964m than Scafell Pike and is 1 km away, but the direct route from…
Stove Bar and Restaurant offers something for everyone all day and evening merging great indoor and…
National Trust property in Great Langdale. 40ft vertical drop in spectacular scenery. Parking for…
Langdale - Coniston - Langdale
We offer a range of private group experiences throughout the Lake District National Park, including…
We have two lovely cottages win the village of Elterwater in the Langdale Valley, which we have…
The Lake District Where modern tourism was born
Number of results: 49
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Langdale, Ambleside
The neat thing about Scafell Pike is it can be climbed from all the major valleys in the Lake District. Its proximity to Esk Hause, the hub of the central fells, makes this possible. The normal routes are from Borrowdale or Wasdale; they are both…
Ambleside
Pay & Display. (NT members free) with 40 spaces.
A great parking spot for a riverside amble or bike ride to Skelwith Force with choice of moderate walks over Loughrigg to High Close and Grasmere. This is a pay-and-display or pay-by-phone car park,…
Langdale, Ambleside
The compact group of peaks that form the Langdale Pikes are amongst the most easily recognisable mountains in the Lake District. Viewed from Langdale their flanks are craggy and appear very steep, the sort of territory that appeals to climbers…
Langdale, AMBLESIDE
Pay and display car park with 34 spaces. Open 7 days a week. Charges apply every day from 9am to 6pm. Nearby are two hotels and there are toilet facilities about 250 yards away.
AMBLESIDE
Pay and display car park (free to National Trust members) with 16 spaces.
The parking area near Blea Tarn is only a short walk away from the tarn, which offers an open space with stunning scenery.
KESWICK
Pay and display car park with 10 spaces.
Located on the southern end of Thrilmere, just off the A591.
AMBLESIDE
Pay & Display car park with 50 spaces.
Ideal for accessing the high fells, Mickleden, the Pikes and long routes to Scafell Pike. This pay-and-display car park is located a further 400m along from Stickle Ghyll, just beyond the campsite. Nearest…
AMBLESIDE
Electric bike charging point, located at Elterwater Hostel, Ambleside.
Free charge if staying overnight.
Ambleside
Outdoor Mobility - Tramper hire in Langdale. One Tramper is available to hire from the Langdale Leisure Centre for a riverside trip, passing the shores of Elterwater and turning back at Chesters Café near Skelwith Bride for a return journey back to…
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