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Coordinates: 54°26′57″N 3°04′24″W / 54.44912°N 3.07333°W / 54.44912; -3.07333
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{{Short description|Valley in Cumbria, England}}
{{About|the valley in England|the community in British Columbia, Canada|Langdale, British Columbia|the former Alabama town|Langdale, Alabama}}
{{redirect|Langdale|the community in British Columbia, Canada|Langdale, British Columbia|the former Alabama town|Langdale, Alabama|people with the surname|Langdale (surname)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}


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'''Great Langdale''' is a [[valley]] in the [[Lake District National Park]] in [[North West England]], the epithet Great distinguishing it from the neighbouring valley of [[Little Langdale]]. Langdale is also the name of a valley in the [[Howgill Fells]], elsewhere in [[Cumbria]].
'''Great Langdale''' is a [[valley]] in the [[Lake District National Park]] in [[North West England]], the epithet "Great" distinguishing it from the neighbouring valley of [[Little Langdale]]. Langdale is also the name of a valley in the [[Howgill Fells]], elsewhere in [[Cumbria]].


It is a popular location for [[hiking|hikers]], climbers, [[Fell running|fell-runners]], and other outdoor enthusiasts who are attracted by the many fells ringing the head of the valley. Among the best-known features of Great Langdale are the Langdale Pikes, a group of peaks on the northern side of the dale. England's highest mountain, [[Scafell Pike]], can be climbed by a route from Langdale. Langdale has views of, in particular, Dungeon Ghyll Force [[waterfall]], [[Harrison Stickle]], and [[Pike of Stickle]].
It is a popular location for [[hiking|hikers]], climbers, [[Fell running|fell-runners]] and other outdoor enthusiasts who are attracted by the many fells ringing the head of the valley. Among the best-known features of Great Langdale are the Langdale Pikes, a group of peaks on the northern side of the dale. England's highest mountain, [[Scafell Pike]], can be climbed by a route from Langdale. Langdale has views of, in particular, Dungeon Ghyll Force [[waterfall]], [[Harrison Stickle]] and [[Pike of Stickle]].


Great Langdale was an important site during the Neolithic period for [[Langdale axe industry|producing stone axes]] and was also one of the centres of the Lakeland slate industry.
Great Langdale was an important site during the Neolithic period for [[Langdale axe industry|producing stone axes]] and, later, was also one of the centres of the Lakeland [[slate industry]].


==History==
==History==
Great Langdale is known to [[archaeologist]]s as the source of a particular type of [[Neolithic]] polished stone [[axe]] head, created on the slopes of the Pike of Stickle and traded all over prehistoric [[Great Britain]] and [[Europe]]. It also supplied stone for some [[Bronze Age]] items, including [[stone wrist-guards]]. [[Neolithic]] [[cup and ring mark]]s are found on the Langdale Boulders at Copt Howe.
Great Langdale is known to [[archaeologist]]s as the source of a particular type of [[Neolithic]] polished stone [[axe]] head, created on the slopes of the [[Pike of Stickle]] and traded all over prehistoric Great Britain and Europe. It also supplied stone for some [[Bronze Age]] items, including [[stone wrist-guards]]. [[Neolithic]] [[cup and ring mark]]s are found on the Langdale Boulders at Copt Howe.


==Geography==
==Geography==
The mouth of the valley is located at Skelwith Bridge, which lies about two miles west of the town of [[Ambleside]]. The Langdale valley contains two villages, [[Chapel Stile]] and [[Elterwater]], and a [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] at [[High Close]]. Great Langdale is a [[U-shaped valley]] formed by [[glacier]]s, while Little Langdale is a [[hanging valley]].
The mouth of the valley is located at Skelwith Bridge, which lies about {{convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} west of [[Ambleside]]. The Langdale valley contains two villages, [[Chapel Stile]] and [[Elterwater]], and a [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] at High Close. Great Langdale is a [[U-shaped valley]] formed by [[glacier]]s, while Little Langdale is a [[hanging valley]].


==Slate industry==
==Slate industry==
Great Langdale and [[Elterwater]] were centres of the Lakeland [[slate industry]]. Two slate workings, Elterwater Quarry and Spout Cragg Quarry have been more or less continually working using modern methods. Elterwater is the larger of the two, and like Spout Cragg, is operated by the Burlington Stone company. There are various other local quarries now fallen into disuse, such as Lingmoor, Banks, Thrang Crag and Colt Howe.
Great Langdale and Elterwater were centres of the Lakeland [[slate industry]]. Two slate workings, Elterwater Quarry and Spout Cragg Quarry, have been more or less continually working using modern methods. Elterwater is the larger of the two, and like Spout Cragg, is operated by the Burlington Stone Company. There are various other local quarries now fallen into disuse, such as Lingmoor, Banks, Thrang Crag and Colt Howe.


==Axe industry==
==Axe industry==
{{Main|Langdale axe industry}}
{{Main|Langdale axe industry}}
Great Langdale had a productive stone axe industry during the [[Neolithic]] period. The area has outcrops of fine-grained [[greenstone (archaeology)|greenstone]] suitable for making polished axes which have been found distributed across the [[British Isles]].<ref>Rodney Castleden, {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wYOAAAAQAAJ&q=Langdale+axe+industry&pg=PA60 |title=Neolithic Britain: new stone age sites of England, Scotland, and Wales |year=1992 |publisher=Routledge, 1992| isbn=0415058457 |access-date=2009-10-10 }}</ref> The rock is an [[epidote|epidotised]] greenstone quarried or perhaps just collected from the [[scree slope]]s in the Langdale Valley on [[Harrison Stickle]] and [[Pike of Stickle]].
Great Langdale had a productive stone axe industry during the Neolithic period. The area has outcrops of fine-grained [[greenstone (archaeology)|greenstone]] suitable for making polished axes which have been found distributed across the British Isles.<ref>Rodney Castleden, {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wYOAAAAQAAJ&q=Langdale+axe+industry&pg=PA60 |title=Neolithic Britain: new stone age sites of England, Scotland, and Wales |year=1992 |publisher=Routledge, 1992| isbn=0415058457 |access-date=2009-10-10 }}</ref> The rock is an [[epidote|epidotised]] greenstone quarried or perhaps just collected from the [[scree slope]]s in the Langdale Valley on [[Harrison Stickle]] and Pike of Stickle.


==The Langdale Pikes==
==The Langdale Pikes==
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===Pike of Stickle===
===Pike of Stickle===
{{main|Pike of Stickle}}
{{main|Pike of Stickle}}
Pike of Stickle, also known as Pike o’ Stickle, reaches a height of {{convert|709|metres|feet}}. The rearward slopes show evidence of the Pavey Ark Member, pebbly [[sandstone]] and [[breccia]]. The Langdale face displays several strata: from the top the Lingmell Formation, Crinkle Member and Bad Step Tuff. These are composed, respectively, of [[tuff]], [[lapilli]]-tuff and breccia; [[rhyolitic]] tuff and breccia; and rhyolitic [[lava]]-like tuff.<ref name="BGS">British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, ''England & Wales Sheet 38'': BGS (1999)</ref> The altitude places Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag within [[sightline]]s to [[east-southeast]] while [[Bowfell]] is {{convert|3|km|miles}} west-southwest. The [[Southern Fells]] and [[Skiddaw]] are also potentially visible.<ref name="richards">Mark Richards: ''The Central Fells'': Collins (2003): {{ISBN|0-00-711365-X}}</ref>
Pike of Stickle, also known as Pike o’ Stickle, reaches a height of {{convert|709|metres|feet}}. The rearward slopes show evidence of the Pavey Ark Member, pebbly [[sandstone]] and [[breccia]]. The Langdale face displays several strata: from the top the Lingmell Formation, Crinkle Member and Bad Step Tuff. These are composed, respectively, of [[tuff]], [[lapilli]]-tuff and breccia; [[rhyolitic]] tuff and breccia; and rhyolitic [[lava]]-like tuff.<ref name="BGS">British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, ''England & Wales Sheet 38'': BGS (1999)</ref> The altitude places Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag within [[sightline]]s to [[east-southeast]] while [[Bowfell]] is {{convert|3|km|mi|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} west-southwest. The [[Southern Fells]] and [[Skiddaw]] are also potentially visible.<ref name="richards">Mark Richards: ''The Central Fells'': Collins (2003): {{ISBN|0-00-711365-X}}</ref>


===Loft Crag===
===Loft Crag===
{{Main|Loft Crag}}
{{Main|Loft Crag}}
Loft Crag has an altitude of 2,238&nbsp;feet (682&nbsp;metres). It lies between Harrison Stickle and Pike o’ Stickle and is usually climbed in conjunction with these two peaks. The fell has a small sharp summit, below which rises Gimmer Crag, which is one of the top [[rock climbing]] venues in the Lake District. The crag is made of [[Rhyolite]] rock and was pioneered in the early 1880s by the father of British rock climbing [[Walter Parry Haskett Smith]].<ref name="bgs">[[British Geological Survey]]: 1:50,000 series maps: sheet 38; BGS (1998)</ref><ref name="richards"/><ref name="wainwright">[[Alfred Wainwright]]: ''[[Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells]], Book 3 The Central Fells'': Westmorland Gazette (1958): {{ISBN|0-7181-4002-8}}</ref>
Loft Crag has a summit elevation of {{convert|2,238|ft|m|abbr=off}}. It lies between Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle. The fell has a small sharp summit, below which rises Gimmer Crag, which is one of the top [[rock climbing]] venues in the Lake District. The crag is made of [[Rhyolite]] rock and was pioneered in the early 1880s by [[Walter Parry Haskett Smith]].<ref name="bgs">[[British Geological Survey]]: 1:50,000 series maps: sheet 38; BGS (1998)</ref><ref name="richards"/><ref name="wainwright">[[Alfred Wainwright]]: ''[[Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells]], Book 3 The Central Fells'': Westmorland Gazette (1958): {{ISBN|0-7181-4002-8}}</ref>


===Harrison Stickle===
===Harrison Stickle===
{{Main|Harrison Stickle}}
{{Main|Harrison Stickle}}
[[File:DungeonGhyll.jpg|upright|thumb|A waterfall in Stickle Ghyll]]
[[File:DungeonGhyll.jpg|upright|thumb|A waterfall in Stickle Ghyll]]
Harrison Stickle is the high point of the Langdale Pikes and its crags fall south and east from the summit, presenting an arresting view from the valley floor 2,000&nbsp;ft below, or from further afield. To the north, the main ridge of the central fells passes over Thunacar Knott before climbing to [[High Raise (Langdale)|High Raise]]. The craggy eastern face of this ridge continues north as far as Harrison's near neighbour, [[Pavey Ark]], visually the most impressive face in the area. The south-western border of Harrison Stickle is formed by the deep ravine of Dungeon Ghyll, which cuts through the parapet of the Langdale Pikes and into the lower hinterland of Harrison Combe. Across the Ghyll westwards are Thorn Crag, Loft Crag and finally Pike of Stickle. Below the steep eastern face of Harrison Stickle lie Stickle Tarn and its Ghyll, thus ensuring that all drainage from the fell is to Great Langdale. The [[tarn (lake)|tarn]] is a water filled corrie about 50&nbsp;ft deep, this being enhanced by a dam. The water is used for public consumption in Great Langdale.<ref name="blair">Blair, Don: ''Exploring Lakeland Tarns'': Lakeland Manor Press (2003): {{ISBN|0-9543904-1-5}}</ref>
Harrison Stickle is the high point of the Langdale Pikes, and its crags fall south and east from the summit, presenting a view from the valley floor {{convert|2,000|ft|m|abbr=off}} below, or from further afield. To the north, the main ridge of the central fells passes over Thunacar Knott before climbing to High Raise. The craggy eastern face of this ridge continues north as far as Harrison's near neighbour, [[Pavey Ark]]. The southwestern border of Harrison Stickle is formed by the deep ravine of Dungeon Ghyll, which cuts through the parapet of the Langdale Pikes and into the lower hinterland of Harrison Combe. Across the Ghyll westwards are Thorn Crag, Loft Crag, and finally Pike of Stickle. Below the steep eastern face of Harrison Stickle lie Stickle Tarn and its Ghyll, thus ensuring that all drainage from the fell is to Great Langdale. The [[tarn (lake)|tarn]] is a water-filled corrie about {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=off}} deep, this being enhanced by a dam. The water is used for public consumption in Great Langdale.<ref name="blair">Blair, Don: ''Exploring Lakeland Tarns'': Lakeland Manor Press (2003): {{ISBN|0-9543904-1-5}}</ref>


===Pavey Ark===
===Pavey Ark===
{{Main|Pavey Ark}}
{{Main|Pavey Ark}}
Pavey Ark is 700&nbsp;m (2,297&nbsp;ft) high. The main face is a little over a quarter of a mile across and drops about 400&nbsp;ft. To the south-west it merges into the crags of [[Harrison Stickle]], while the northern end peters out into the valley of Bright Beck. Stickle Tarn is wholly within the territory of the Ark, a [[Cirque|corrie]] [[tarn (lake)|tarn]] which has been dammed to create additional capacity. The stone-faced barrage is low enough not to spoil the character of the pool, and the water is used for public consumption in the hotels and homes below. The tarn has a depth of around 50&nbsp;ft.<ref name="blair"/>
Pavey Ark is {{convert|700|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} high. The main face is a little over {{convert|1/4|mi|m|abbr=off}} across and drops about {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=off}}. To the southwest, it merges into the crags of Harrison Stickle, while the northern end peters out into the valley of Bright Beck. Stickle Tarn is wholly within the territory of the Ark, a [[Cirque|corrie]] [[tarn (lake)|tarn]] which has been dammed to create additional capacity. The stone-faced barrage is low enough not to spoil the character of the pool, and the water is used for public consumption in the hotels and homes below. The tarn has a depth of around {{convert|50|ft|m|0|abbr=off}}.<ref name="blair"/>


==Other fells==
==Other fells==
[[File:Bow Fell Great Langdale.jpg|thumb|Bow Fell at the head of Great Langdale]]
[[File:Bow Fell Great Langdale.jpg|thumb|Bow Fell at the head of Great Langdale]]
Great Langdale's highest fell is [[Bow Fell]]. Other notable Langdale fells are [[Crinkle Crags]], at the head of the Oxendale valley, and [[Pike of Blisco|Pike o' Blisco]] on the southern side of the valley.
Great Langdale's highest fell is [[Bow Fell]]. Other notable Langdale fells are [[Crinkle Crags]], at the head of the Oxendale valley, and [[Pike o' Blisco]] on the southern side of the valley.


==Dungeon Ghyll==
==Dungeon Ghyll==
Dungeon Ghyll is a [[ravine]] on the north side of the valley, starting on the fell slopes between Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag/Pike o' Stickle. It is narrow, and a No Through Route for walkers. Much more open is Stickle Ghyll, which descends from Stickle Tarn. There is a well–trodden path from the Stickle Ghyll car park opposite the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel up to the tarn, parts of which have been improved with stone slabs to reduce [[erosion]]. Another [[waterfall]], known as Dungeon Ghyll Force, is up a path behind the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel.
Dungeon Ghyll is a [[ravine]] on the north side of the valley, starting on the fell slopes between Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag/Pike of Stickle. It is narrow, and a No Through Route for walkers. Much more open is Stickle Ghyll, which descends from Stickle Tarn. There is a well–trodden path from the Stickle Ghyll car park opposite the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel up to the tarn, parts of which have been improved with stone slabs to reduce [[erosion]]. Another [[waterfall]], known as Dungeon Ghyll Force, is up a path behind the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.


Middle Fell Bridge here is the bridge centring in the plot of the landmark film 1945 [[Brief Encounter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9HRH_Brief_Encounter_Middle_Fell_Bridge_Dungeon_Ghyll_Cumbria_UK|title=Brief Encounter, Middle Fell Bridge, Dungeon Ghyll, Cumbria, UK - Movie Locations on Waymarking.com|author=bill&ben|date=24 August 2010|website=waymarking.com|access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref>
Middle Fell Bridge here is the bridge centring in the plot of the 1945 film ''[[Brief Encounter]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9HRH_Brief_Encounter_Middle_Fell_Bridge_Dungeon_Ghyll_Cumbria_UK|title=Brief Encounter, Middle Fell Bridge, Dungeon Ghyll, Cumbria, UK - Movie Locations on Waymarking.com|author=bill&ben|date=24 August 2010|website=waymarking.com|access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref>


==Cultural reference==
==Cultural reference==
{{Wikisource|Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833/Langdale Pikes|"Langdale Pikes",<br>a poem by L. E. L.}}
{{Wikisource|Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833/Langdale Pikes|"Langdale Pikes",<br>a poetical illustration<br /> by L. E. L.}}
[[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]]'s poetical illustration, ''Langdale Pikes'' (1832), ignores the mountains and eulogises on the excellent trout fishing in the river.
[[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]]'s poetical illustration, ''Langdale Pikes'' (1832), to a picture by [[Thomas Allom]], ignores the mountains and eulogises on the excellent trout fishing in the river.<ref> {{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833|url=https://digital.tcl.sc.edu/digital/collection/annuals/id/9623|section=picture|year=1832|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833|url=https://digital.tcl.sc.edu/digital/collection/annuals/id/9624|section=poetical illustration|year=1832|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>


==Tourism==
==Tourism==
[[File:ODG Langdale.jpg|thumb|left|Old Dungeon Ghyll from Side Pike]]
[[File:ODG Langdale.jpg|thumb|left|Old Dungeon Ghyll from Side Pike]]
There are a number of popular [[fell walking]] routes include Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, the Langdale Pikes and England's highest mountain, [[Scafell Pike]]. There are also rock-climbing spots on the valley floor, such as Raven Crag, Gimmer Crag and White Ghyll, providing some of the most spectacular rock routes in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northwest/w-lakedistrict-feature/w-northwest-lakedistrict_camping/w-northwest-lakedistrict_camping-langdale.htm |title=Camping in the Lake District – Great Langdale |publisher=National Trust |access-date=2009-10-10 }}</ref> The Langdale Leisure Limited company, consisting of a hotel, timeshare lodges and leisure facilities, operates in the valley.<ref>{{cite book |first=Christopher Stephen |last=Brown |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNHcGEyBiVYC&pg=PA340 |title=The sustainable enterprise: profiting from best practice |publisher=Kogan Page Publishers |date=2005 |isbn=0-7494-4220-4}}</ref>
There are several popular [[fell walking]] routes including Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, the Langdale Pikes and England's highest mountain, [[Scafell Pike]]. There are also rock-climbing spots on the valley floor, such as Raven Crag, Gimmer Crag, and White Ghyll, providing some of the most spectacular rock routes in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northwest/w-lakedistrict-feature/w-northwest-lakedistrict_camping/w-northwest-lakedistrict_camping-langdale.htm |title=Camping in the Lake District – Great Langdale |publisher=National Trust |access-date=2009-10-10 }}</ref> The Langdale Leisure Limited company, consisting of a hotel, timeshare lodges and leisure facilities, operates in the valley.<ref>{{cite book |first=Christopher Stephen |last=Brown |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNHcGEyBiVYC&pg=PA340 |title=The sustainable enterprise: profiting from best practice |publisher=Kogan Page Publishers |date=2005 |isbn=0-7494-4220-4|contribution=12.4 The community|contributor-first=David|contributor-last=Grayson|page=340}} Mini case-study of business–community partnership.</ref>


===Old Dungeon Ghyll===
===Old Dungeon Ghyll===
The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel was originally a [[farm]] and inn. It was bought by the historian Professor [[G.M. Trevelyan]] who donated it to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], and who was later buried in Holy Trinity Church in [[Chapel Stile]]. The hotel and the Hikers Bar have a long association with [[climbing]] and many famous climbers have stayed at the hotel or drunk in the bar. In climbing circles it is known as the "ODG".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.odg.co.uk/about/index.cfm?id=2 |title=The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Langdale has a fascinating history in the Lake District area |publisher=www.odg.co.uk |access-date=2009-10-10 }}</ref> Further down the valley there is the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel, built in 1862.<ref name="Birkett2004">{{cite book|author=Bill Birkett|title=A Year in the Life of the Langdale Valley|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ijL8S7NX6bYC&pg=PT13|date=15 November 2004|publisher=Frances Lincoln Ltd|isbn=978-0-7112-2449-0|pages=13}}</ref> Campsites in the area include the National Trust site near Dungeon Ghyll and the Baysbrown Farm campsite at Chapel Stile.
The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel was originally a [[farm]] and inn. It was bought by the historian Professor [[G.M. Trevelyan]] who donated it to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], and who was later buried in Holy Trinity Church in [[Chapel Stile]]. The hotel and the Hikers Bar have a long association with climbing and many famous climbers have stayed at the hotel or drunk in the bar. In climbing circles it is known as the "ODG".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.odg.co.uk/about/index.cfm?id=2 |title=The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Langdale has a fascinating history in the Lake District area |publisher=www.odg.co.uk |access-date=2009-10-10 }}</ref> Further down the valley there is the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, built in 1862.<ref name="Birkett2004">{{cite book|author=Bill Birkett|title=A Year in the Life of the Langdale Valley|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ijL8S7NX6bYC&pg=PT13|date=15 November 2004|publisher=Frances Lincoln Ltd|isbn=978-0-7112-2449-0|pages=13}}</ref> Campsites in the area include the National Trust site near Dungeon Ghyll and the Baysbrown Farm campsite at Chapel Stile.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 07:57, 12 October 2024

"Langdale" redirects here. For the community in British Columbia, Canada, see Langdale, British Columbia. For the former Alabama town, see Langdale, Alabama. For people with the surname, see Langdale (surname).

Great Langdale seen from the top of Rossett Pike
Great Langdale is located in Cumbria
Great Langdale
class=notpageimage|
Great Langdale valley shown within Cumbria
(grid reference NY305065)

Great Langdale is a valley in the Lake District National Park in North West England, the epithet "Great" distinguishing it from the neighbouring valley of Little Langdale. Langdale is also the name of a valley in the Howgill Fells, elsewhere in Cumbria.

It is a popular location for hikers, climbers, fell-runners and other outdoor enthusiasts who are attracted by the many fells ringing the head of the valley. Among the best-known features of Great Langdale are the Langdale Pikes, a group of peaks on the northern side of the dale. England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, can be climbed by a route from Langdale. Langdale has views of, in particular, Dungeon Ghyll Force waterfall, Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle.

Great Langdale was an important site during the Neolithic period for producing stone axes and, later, was also one of the centres of the Lakeland slate industry.

History

[edit]

Great Langdale is known to archaeologists as the source of a particular type of Neolithic polished stone axe head, created on the slopes of the Pike of Stickle and traded all over prehistoric Great Britain and Europe. It also supplied stone for some Bronze Age items, including stone wrist-guards. Neolithic cup and ring marks are found on the Langdale Boulders at Copt Howe.

Geography

[edit]

The mouth of the valley is located at Skelwith Bridge, which lies about two miles (three kilometres) west of Ambleside. The Langdale valley contains two villages, Chapel Stile and Elterwater, and a hamlet at High Close. Great Langdale is a U-shaped valley formed by glaciers, while Little Langdale is a hanging valley.

Slate industry

[edit]

Great Langdale and Elterwater were centres of the Lakeland slate industry. Two slate workings, Elterwater Quarry and Spout Cragg Quarry, have been more or less continually working using modern methods. Elterwater is the larger of the two, and like Spout Cragg, is operated by the Burlington Stone Company. There are various other local quarries now fallen into disuse, such as Lingmoor, Banks, Thrang Crag and Colt Howe.

Axe industry

[edit]
Main article: Langdale axe industry

Great Langdale had a productive stone axe industry during the Neolithic period. The area has outcrops of fine-grained greenstone suitable for making polished axes which have been found distributed across the British Isles.[1] The rock is an epidotised greenstone quarried or perhaps just collected from the scree slopes in the Langdale Valley on Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle.

The Langdale Pikes

[edit]
The Langdale Pikes and the Langdale Boulders, Great Langdale.

Among the best-known features of Great Langdale are the Langdale Pikes, a group of peaks on the northern side of the dale. From below, they appear as a sharp rocky ridge, though they are precipitous only on their southern side; to the north, the land sweeps gently to High Raise, the parent peak of the range. The Pikes themselves include (from west to east) Pike of Stickle, Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Pike of Stickle

[edit]
Main article: Pike of Stickle

Pike of Stickle, also known as Pike o’ Stickle, reaches a height of 709 metres (2,326 ft). The rearward slopes show evidence of the Pavey Ark Member, pebbly sandstone and breccia. The Langdale face displays several strata: from the top the Lingmell Formation, Crinkle Member and Bad Step Tuff. These are composed, respectively, of tuff, lapilli-tuff and breccia; rhyolitic tuff and breccia; and rhyolitic lava-like tuff.[2] The altitude places Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag within sightlines to east-southeast while Bowfell is three kilometres (two miles) west-southwest. The Southern Fells and Skiddaw are also potentially visible.[3]

Loft Crag

[edit]
Main article: Loft Crag

Loft Crag has a summit elevation of 2,238 feet (682 metres). It lies between Harrison Stickle and Pike of Stickle. The fell has a small sharp summit, below which rises Gimmer Crag, which is one of the top rock climbing venues in the Lake District. The crag is made of Rhyolite rock and was pioneered in the early 1880s by Walter Parry Haskett Smith.[4][3][5]

Harrison Stickle

[edit]
Main article: Harrison Stickle
A waterfall in Stickle Ghyll

Harrison Stickle is the high point of the Langdale Pikes, and its crags fall south and east from the summit, presenting a view from the valley floor 2,000 feet (610 metres) below, or from further afield. To the north, the main ridge of the central fells passes over Thunacar Knott before climbing to High Raise. The craggy eastern face of this ridge continues north as far as Harrison's near neighbour, Pavey Ark. The southwestern border of Harrison Stickle is formed by the deep ravine of Dungeon Ghyll, which cuts through the parapet of the Langdale Pikes and into the lower hinterland of Harrison Combe. Across the Ghyll westwards are Thorn Crag, Loft Crag, and finally Pike of Stickle. Below the steep eastern face of Harrison Stickle lie Stickle Tarn and its Ghyll, thus ensuring that all drainage from the fell is to Great Langdale. The tarn is a water-filled corrie about 50 feet (15 metres) deep, this being enhanced by a dam. The water is used for public consumption in Great Langdale.[6]

Pavey Ark

[edit]
Main article: Pavey Ark

Pavey Ark is 700 metres (2,297 feet) high. The main face is a little over 1⁄4 mile (400 metres) across and drops about 400 feet (120 metres). To the southwest, it merges into the crags of Harrison Stickle, while the northern end peters out into the valley of Bright Beck. Stickle Tarn is wholly within the territory of the Ark, a corrie tarn which has been dammed to create additional capacity. The stone-faced barrage is low enough not to spoil the character of the pool, and the water is used for public consumption in the hotels and homes below. The tarn has a depth of around 50 feet (15 metres).[6]

Other fells

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Bow Fell at the head of Great Langdale

Great Langdale's highest fell is Bow Fell. Other notable Langdale fells are Crinkle Crags, at the head of the Oxendale valley, and Pike o' Blisco on the southern side of the valley.

Dungeon Ghyll

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Dungeon Ghyll is a ravine on the north side of the valley, starting on the fell slopes between Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag/Pike of Stickle. It is narrow, and a No Through Route for walkers. Much more open is Stickle Ghyll, which descends from Stickle Tarn. There is a well–trodden path from the Stickle Ghyll car park opposite the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel up to the tarn, parts of which have been improved with stone slabs to reduce erosion. Another waterfall, known as Dungeon Ghyll Force, is up a path behind the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

Middle Fell Bridge here is the bridge centring in the plot of the 1945 film Brief Encounter.[7]

Cultural reference

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Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poetical illustration, Langdale Pikes (1832), to a picture by Thomas Allom, ignores the mountains and eulogises on the excellent trout fishing in the river.[8]

Tourism

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Old Dungeon Ghyll from Side Pike

There are several popular fell walking routes including Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, the Langdale Pikes and England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. There are also rock-climbing spots on the valley floor, such as Raven Crag, Gimmer Crag, and White Ghyll, providing some of the most spectacular rock routes in the UK.[9] The Langdale Leisure Limited company, consisting of a hotel, timeshare lodges and leisure facilities, operates in the valley.[10]

Old Dungeon Ghyll

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The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel was originally a farm and inn. It was bought by the historian Professor G.M. Trevelyan who donated it to the National Trust, and who was later buried in Holy Trinity Church in Chapel Stile. The hotel and the Hikers Bar have a long association with climbing and many famous climbers have stayed at the hotel or drunk in the bar. In climbing circles it is known as the "ODG".[11] Further down the valley there is the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, built in 1862.[12] Campsites in the area include the National Trust site near Dungeon Ghyll and the Baysbrown Farm campsite at Chapel Stile.

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Great Langdale.
  1. ^ Rodney Castleden, Neolithic Britain: new stone age sites of England, Scotland, and Wales. Routledge, 1992. 1992. ISBN 0415058457. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  2. ^ British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, England & Wales Sheet 38: BGS (1999)
  3. ^ a b Mark Richards: The Central Fells: Collins (2003): ISBN 0-00-711365-X
  4. ^ British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps: sheet 38; BGS (1998)
  5. ^ Alfred Wainwright: Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 3 The Central Fells: Westmorland Gazette (1958): ISBN 0-7181-4002-8
  6. ^ a b Blair, Don: Exploring Lakeland Tarns: Lakeland Manor Press (2003): ISBN 0-9543904-1-5
  7. ^ bill&ben (24 August 2010). "Brief Encounter, Middle Fell Bridge, Dungeon Ghyll, Cumbria, UK - Movie Locations on Waymarking.com". waymarking.com. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  8. ^ Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1832). "picture". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833. Fisher, Son & Co.Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1832). "poetical illustration". Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1833. Fisher, Son & Co.
  9. ^ "Camping in the Lake District – Great Langdale". National Trust. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  10. ^ Grayson, David (2005). "12.4 The community". The sustainable enterprise: profiting from best practice. By Brown, Christopher Stephen. Kogan Page Publishers. p. 340. ISBN 0-7494-4220-4. Mini case-study of business–community partnership.
  11. ^ "The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Langdale has a fascinating history in the Lake District area". www.odg.co.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  12. ^ Bill Birkett (15 November 2004). A Year in the Life of the Langdale Valley. Frances Lincoln Ltd. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-7112-2449-0.
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54°26′57″N 3°04′24″W / 54.44912°N 3.07333°W / 54.44912; -3.07333

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