Recently on television there has been a series of programmes on the subject of 'Britain's Favourite View' with various locations in the UK being put forward and with 'personalities' putting forward explanations as to why that view deserves the title of Britain's Favourite View. In the end it was Wastwater in the Lake District which was voted by the public to gain the title of Britain's favourite view. Now the picture above which was taken last year in the Lake District and also features as the main banner image for Local Life & Little Histories may just give a clue as to what is my favourite view.
I travel around the United Kingdom a great deal with my work as well as for pleasure and I found myself this evening in the spot which constitutes 'my favourite view', which is Rydal Water in the Lake District. I have been visiting and staying in this location between Ambleside and Grasmere for around 30 years now and it holds many memories from both childhood and more recent years. For me there is one spot on this lake that I can sit at for hours just being glad to be there and alive and it always feels as though I have come home.
I spent some time this evening recording a 20 minute audio on the banks of Rydal Lake and under my favourite tree there to try and explain why Rydal Water in the Lake District is 'My Favourite View'.
Click to Play or download - 'Rydal Water - My Favourite View'
Sitting as it does between the tourist traps of Ambleside and Grasmere, Rydal is an altogether more peaceful place. You won't find any shops here, there is nothing to spend your money on apart from a drink or meal in the Glen Rothay's Badger Bar or maybe on a slice of delicious cake in the Rydal Hall coffee shop. However if you do want to spend some time by the prettiest of lakes or to take a stroll along the lake's shores up to Rydal Caves or maybe to take an easy stroll along Rydal Lake to Grasmere and then back along the opposite side on part of the Coffin Trail while experiencing superb and changing views including Loughrigg and Nabs Scarr, before descending past Rydal Mount and Rydal Hall - then this is the place for you.
Up above the Western end of Rydal Water is 'Wordsworth's Seat' which is reputedly William Wordsworth's favourite viewpoint. So I guess that I am in good company loving this spot in the Lake District.
Comments