N is for NibthwaiteA little hamlet surrounded by woods and pasture, a short distance from the side of the southern end of Coniston Water. The woods in the area are predominantly oak but also with small leaved lime, holly, birch and rowan, and in past times were coppiced.
The road which runs along the eastern shore of Coniston Water is delightfully winding and tree lined, with surprise views at every point. The car passenger can take in those views but the driver would be advised to keep alert for cars coming the other way because the widest the road gets is this. It seems the inhabitants prefer small cars for that reason.
Even old Morris Minors, not many of those on the road now. This model was built sometime between 1956-1971.
The village is in touch with the world because it has a phone box and this post box which is an old 19th Century QV (Queen Victoria) one.
But then this has been a settlement a long time. Its name is from the Old Norse 'Ny-burgar-thveit' meaning 'new town in the clearing'. No evidence has been found of a large settlement, so why town. Possibly because it was used as a central market place; the area was rich in wool, wood, charcoal and iron ore.There are many large old barns. The village notice board is outside this one. We learned, amongst other things, we had missed the cheese and wine tasting by a day. Still that is probably a good thing for the old cholesterol levels.
Steps at the side to the higher level of this barn.
Crossing the field to the lake an enigmatic figure is encountered.
This is one of Antony Gormley's sculptures, based on himself. I love its position in the landscape as it looks over the water to the hills.High Nibthwaite's other famous visitor spent summer holidays here as a child and learned to sail on the lake. When Arthur Ransome came to write his book "Swallows and Amazons" the lake he describes as "that great lake in the north" is based on amalgam of Coniston Water and Windermere.
Coniston Water
Perhaps it is the Swallow.
Coniston Water taken from SelsideAll these photographs were taken at the weekend on a glorious sunny day. If you wonder if it is still sunny, as the low pressure powers across the Atlantic, then have a look at the Webcam
For more natty Ns go to ABC Wednesday
15 comments:
I loved it over there when I was there last year. I even saw an owl IN REAL LIFE, which I thought was very special. Unfortunately I didn't get to see much, since I wasn't just driving a big car: I was driving a coach! Tricky to say the least.
What an interesting post! Love your photos and the history of the area. It does look like a beautiful area!
Enjoy!
Sylvia
How lovely and serene. I love the picture of the steps on the high side of the house. Thank you for the tour.
I enjoyed the sightseeing tour through this village...many stone buildings...and beautiful scenery....
What a beautiful old village, - thank you so much for your post, the tour, and all the interesting information about Arthur Ransome.
Thank you for the lovely visit. So enjoyable!
Great pictures, especially the last 2:-)
Have a great week!
The Lakes are still the most beautiful part of the UK.
Great photos of a glorious place. The webcam link was interesting too.
What a wonderful old village, it has so many interesting buildings and beautiful views. Thanks for the history lesson.
I love the 2nd and 3rd pictures the best... love the scenery in this village.. .and the car :)
What a beautiful place. The one time I was in the Lake District it was pouring rain and we spent our time at the local pub sipping tea and soup to get dry and warm! But I'd love to return when the weather cooperates! :D
charming little town. love the stone buildings
That brought back some old memories! Thirty three years ago this October, OH and I honeymooned in the Lake District in a little town called Satterthwaite - and we drove there in an old Morris Minor! Ours was yellow, and we painted it ourselves, hand-brushed. LOL!
Lovely post. I liked the part about its connections with Arthur Ransom, even though I've never read his books.
Not heard of Nibthwaite before - those Morris Minors were the workhorses of the Lakes and the Dales - when I saw the statue I thought someone had been tea-leafing to Formby - didn't know he'd placed them elsewhere too.
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