ENGLISH NATIONAL PARKS

                                     Grasmere and the Parks
     England’s National Park history is much shorter than ours, and there are marked differences of how its parks are run compared to the U.S. National Park System.   The National Park and Access to Countryside Act of 1949 was the beginning of England’s eleven National Parks. The major portion of funding comes from the central government with the remainder of the monies coming from local rates, car parks, and fees for guided walks etc.

    The main functions of the National Parks are to preserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty, to promote enjoyment of the area, and to look after the needs of the local people. England’s National Parks are all living landscapes as people live and work in the parks. The government does not own the parks. England’s parks are privately owned and landowners vary from small homes and farms to major landowners who control thousands of acres. Many of the major landowners can trace their history back many

generations. The local population has need for employment, housing, health, education etc. which need to be considered by both the park authorities and visitors. Before the establishment of the National Parks it was up to the voluntary sector to protect areas of outstanding beauty. The National Trust, established in 1895, is still active and going strong owning property throughout England and Wales. In National Parks the Trust works in fairly close cooperation with the Park Authority. However being a charity it is dependent on member subscriptions, entry fees to properties and rents from numerous farms and cottages.

   The Lake District’s 880 square miles makes it England’s largest National Park and the second so designated,  1951; the first park was the Peak District.  The 880 square miles makes a rough circle 35 miles in diameter and 40,000 people live within the park boundaries. William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter as well as other poets and authors popularized the area in the mid 18^th century.

     Today there are many pressures on the National Parks. One of the most urgent and biggest problems is the impact of tourism. The area needs tourist income, but how to control the impact of many people using and enjoying the landscape. Then there is the need for tourist facilities, and control of building and type of structures also impact the growth. The need of the residents is always ever present. Modern farming methods and commercial forestry are also needs. Erosion is a constant problem, often caused by people straying off paths destroying vegetation.

      Repair of paths is a constant manpower as well as a  financial problem.     Leveling walkways, providing disabled access, identifying drainage problems, replanting and protecting such from sheep and deer are just some of the problems facing the area. It might be said that the area has been loved to death. Trying to find a quiet balance is a challenge.

     I’ve hiked and enjoyed several of the country’s parks and have always been respectful of them as they are a treasure.

       England’s Lake District is picturesque with many low mountains, abundant trees and flora. Sheep are seen everywhere and we were to learn a lot about them as well as transit many of their pastures. England has about twenty breeds of sheep, and the most common are the Herdwick, Blackface, and Swaledale.

     Romans came here 2000 years ago and the Vikings 1000 years ago. The old Roman road is 2480-feet high and one can still walk the path the Romans used to pull carts. Fell is a Viking word meaning mountain.

Good hiking boots needed

     In Grasmere we stayed in a sprawling Edwardian hotel located on a small lake. Grasmere is a city as well as a lake and this is where it can be confusing to a stranger. Mere, water, tarn all designate a lake so to say Lake Grasmere is redundant. Tarn is from a Viking word meaning tear. There are 247 bodies of water ranging from small to fairly large in the Lake District.

     Buildings and homes in the area are of either native blue or green slate with slate roofs. Building codes are strict. It is illegal to import stone or to use any non native stone. Historic preservation dictates that if a building is torn down it must be replaced the same size and in the same spot.                       Windermere is a large lake, 10 ½ X 1 mile, and 276 feet deep. It’s fast flowing water changes the surface water every three days. Three steamboats sail on the lake. There are only three lakes in the district that allow motors, two have 10 mph speed limits and Windermere is the only lake with unlimited motor rules. However, because of erosion and pollution a study of that was underway.

ST MICHAEL'S MOUNT

                                 Center Piece in the Bay

One of Cornwall’s most famous natural landmarks is St. Michael’s Mount. It sits 200’ above the bay on the highest point of the granite and slate island rising out of the water. Built over the site of a Benedictine chapel, it has been a church, fortress, and private residence.  It was one huffing hike over a very rough cobblestone path to the top, but the views were spectacular, the castle was lovely, and it certainly was worth the climb.

I was the first to make it to the top, passing a couple who had touted all trip what terrific hikers they were. I was surprised to see them stop every few steps to get their breath. I have found that the people who do the most talking are often full of hot air.

      One can walk the causeway, built in 1425, only at very low tide, otherwise it’s a pound fare for the ‘ferry’ ride. The 12 passenger ferry was little more than an open row boat with an outboard motor. Eight boats run continuously.  At the top of one of the pair of stairs at the island loading piers is a gold footprint marked VC in commemoration of Queen Victoria’s visit in 1846. I wonder if she made the climb to the top?

       The castle was a defense in 1585 when the Spanish tried to invade, and for any significant disturbance since. St. Michael’s Mount was built by the same French monks who created Normandy’s Mont St. Michel.

      The organ in the present chapel is circa 1791.  The castle houses period furniture and old maps. Lovely wooden floors are throughout, and the castle is bright inside because of its rather large windows, unusual for its day.

Close up of castle

Perched atop the rock outcropping

      After viewing the castle and having interesting conversations with a couple of the docents I made my way back to the bottom. Fortunately it did not rain, because if it had that cobblestone walkway would have been very slippery. I spent a fair amount of time walking through the large gardens surrounding the base of the castle. The gardens contained many unusual plants.

     A few medieval and Victorian buildings, as well as a small gift shop, are at the base of the island. 

     In the middle of the bay it was windy and cool. Otherwise it was a clear sunny day and it was a neat adventure.