Welcome to The Home of The Best View in the UK
Wasdale, Eskdale and Gosforth , the Western Lake Districts best kept secrets, I say secrets simply because secrets tend to be kept between a very close few, these areas aren't invaded by thousands upon thousands on an hourly basis, they are places of natural beauty, and calm that can somehow seem devoid of people sometimes. However it is steadily visited by people from nearby areas and frequented by mental Climbologists, gentle strollers, and day trippers from the world over.
Home to Englands deepest lake, Smallest Church, Highest Mountain, Biggest liar, Tallest Viking cross, and fattest cat, well ok I made up the last one but all the others are true.
This is a place, whatever time of year, you can find a spot and gaze up in awe at the mountains, fells and lakes in front and feel like you are totally alone.
To be perfectly honest it is like the lake district without the masses, probably how the lakes in other areas of Cumbria where 150 years ago, no 159 hotels on the shore line or bars cafes and gift shops, crowding the road side.
Don't get me wrong Wasdale , Eskdale and Gosfroth have some of the best restaurants, hotels and craft/gift shops in the Uk, the beauty is (no pun intended) you have to find these places all of which are scattered about the area blending naturally throughout.
Coming into the area via the picturesque village of Gosforth is by and far the most popular way in.
Gosforth itself is a beautiful wee village that has lots to offer by way off Pubs-restaurants, Cafes , Craft/ gift shops, convenience stores, and a few Hotels such as Gosforth Hall Hotel which dates back to the 1600`s with interesting spooky stories, lots of real ale, great beer garden and live music.
The village of Gosforth has been inhabited for over a thousand years and is home to the tallest Viking cross in England which stands today for all to see in the church yard next to Gosforth Hall.
The origins of the Viking cross is an important relic of which not a lot is known about other than it is thought to have come about at a time when Christianity and Norse paganism where at a crossroads, both sets of religions come together to leave us with what we see today. Dated between 900-1000.
Gosforth being the nearest village to Wasdale and Eskdale is where most locals and visitors come for regular supplies, you can reach Wasdale- Eskdale and Nether Wasdale via The village.
A small drive then takes you into areas that are even more breathtaking, with views that are quite simply awe inspiring which inspire a tranquillity and serenity it is no wonder that this area of west Cumbria attracts visitors all year round no matter the weather.
Here The home of the best view in the UK are the remnants of natures work at its most beautiful, valleys, lakes and gentle sloping hills carved out over 10,000 years ago during the last ice age when glaciers moved slowly through the land leaving us this gift.
Such a legacy of beauty that has been left in our care has without doubt been carefully preserved with the utmost respect, whereby future generations will be able to appreciate what we appreciate today.
One cant help but feel slightly insignificant when gazing up or out at the landscape here.
Wasdale Eskdale and Gosforth offer so much to all who come, of course more recently voted The Best View in Britain can be found here, have I mentioned that? and you don't have to travel up a mountain to see The Best View as its from lake level that it can be found.
At the head of The Wasdale valley you will find The Wasdale Head inn, a place that has looked after the walker-climber ,vistor and trader for hundreds of years and more, a real ale pub with its own brewery.
Wasdale was the main pack- horse route especially when Whitehaven was at its most dominant as a major port, pack laden horses would come from Whitehaven via Ennerdale to Wasdale then up and over to the east of the county, rum, spices and tobacco going one way and Kedal mint cake coming the other.
Remnants of Viking refugees are hard to find but are here in Wasdale, it is thought that the area was settled about 780- 800AD bringing with them the Herdwick Sheep which are now synonymous with Wasdale head.
The Wasdale Head Hall Farm is now open to the general public selling fresh fell meats.
Eskdale is another beautiful place to find yourself in, whether you'r travelling via Gosforth by road or catching the Fantastic Ratty miniature railway from Ravenglass there is so much too take in.
The main thoroughfare for traders over the centuries via hardknott pass, traders , Shepard's , cloth, metals, cattle, all have passed through Eskdale coming from the eastern lakes on towards the likes of Egremont once the main trading station in the 12th and 13th century, and earlier used by the Romans travelling from Ravenglass on towards Hadrians wall.
Then as must be the case today the travellers must have really looked forward to eventually arriving into this valley as there are great inns that look after weary travellers.
Bower house inn - The boot inn - The Bridge inn
All fantastic places to stop eat and indulge in the local ales on offer.
