20 Fascinating Facts about Cumbria and the Lake District

Think of Cumbria and the Lake District and you might think about William Wordsworth or Lake Windermere. You might not necessarily think about world championships for gurning and lying, or the opportunity to be knighted by buying a round of drinks. Here we bring you some of the most fascinating facts about Cumbria and the Lake District.

1. There is Only One Actual Lake

Lake Bassenthwaite is the only lake in the Lake District. The other “lakes” are considered to be Waters, Meres or Tarns. And no, we don’t know the difference between them all either.

2. Whatever You Call It, Windermere is Definitely England’s Longest Body of Water

It’s 10.5 metres long.

3. Wastwater is the Deepest

It’s 74-metres deep.

4. With All These “Lakes” It’s Not Surprising That We Also Have England’s Wettest Place

Seathwaite in Borrowdale, is widely considered to be the wettest place in England, receiving over 3-metres of rain per year.

5. Speaking of Rain, There Are Lots of Words For It in the Cumbrian Dialect

Just like the Inuit people have lots of words for snow, we have lots of words for rain, including “mizzling” (drizzling rain), “syling” (heavy rain), “hossing” (slightly heavier rain), “stotting” (very heavy rain), and “hoyin it doown” (really heavy rain).

6. The Top Five Highest Peaks in England Are Here

There’s Scafell Pike (978m), Sca Fell (964m), Helvellyn (950m,) Ill Crag (935m), and Broad Crag (934m).

7. We Also Have England’s Tallest Grand Fir Tree

It’s over 57m tall and can be found amongst other giants at the Ambleside Champion Tree Trail.

8. We Also Have England's Steepest Road

Hardknott Pass in Eskdale shares the title of England’s steepest road with Rosedale Chimney Bank in Yorkshire (though clearly ours is better). It has a maximum gradient of one in three. It’s not one for driving down when your brakes are a bit worn.

9. If Roads Are Your Thing, We Have The Best

According to quantum physicist Dr Mark Hadley from Warwick University, the A591 between Keswick and Kendal has the right amount of corners and straight sections for the perfect drive.

10. Drunken Scots Destroyed Our Bridge

The Solway Junction Railway connected the village of Bowness-On-Solway on the Cumbrian coast with the town of Annan in Scotland, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was damaged repeatedly by the weather, and then eventually demolished in 1934. One of the alleged reasons for its demolition was the number of drunken scots who fell from the bridge on their way back to Scotland, where alcohol was banned on Sundays.

11. You Can Become a Knight by Buying a Round of Drinks at Piel Island

As a nod to Lambert Simnel’s attempt to usurp the throne in 1487, the landlord of the Ship Inn on Piel Island, off the Furness Peninsula, is known as the King of Piel Island. There is a long tradition of the King granting knighthoods to patrons of the inn, with the modern cost of such honour being a round of drinks for everyone in the pub.

12. In at a Pub in Santon Bridge You Can Try to Become the "World’s Biggest Liar"

The competition is held each year at the Bridge Inn, in Santon Bridge, in the western Lake District. It’s held in memory of nineteenth century pub landlord Will Ritson, who was allegedly such an accomplished teller of tall tales he convinced several people that Cumbria grew turnips large enough to be hollowed out and used as cow sheds.

13. We Also Have the World Gurning Championships

Gurning, also known as “pulling a silly face”, is considered an art form in Egremont, where the World Gurning Championship takes place each year. It’s most famous winner, Peter Jackman, took the competition so seriously that he had all of his teeth removed in order to be able to manipulate his face better.

14. Whitehaven Was Once Invaded by Americans, Who Got Distracted by the Local Ale

During the American War of Independence, a common tactic by the American navy was to try and disrupt British trading routes to the US. At the time, Whitehaven was an important trading port, and so was chosen by John Paul Jones, a scot who had joined the American navy, as a point of attack. Jones led his crew into the town, with the aim of setting fire to all of the ships that were docked there.

However, as they needed fuel to start the fire, they decided to stop at a local inn for a drink. Perhaps somewhat impaired, they then set fire to just one ship. They were eventually forced to retreat, and this was the last time that England would be invaded.

15. The Lake District Lovingly Hosts the Grave of George Washington’s Nan

Mildred Gale is buried in St Nicholas Church, Whitehaven. She is the paternal grandmother of George Washington. Her first husband, who was grandfather to George Washington, died, and Mildred remarried a Whitehaven local and moved to the town to be with him.

16. We Have the World’s Largest Colouring Pencil

It’s almost 8-metres long and located at the Keswick Pencil museum, which has now reopened following the floods of 2015.

17. We Have Our Own Version of the Bayeux Tapestry

In the Quaker Tapestry Museum in Kendal you can view around 40 of the 77 panels that were created by 4,000 people from 15 different countries over a period of 15 years. The tapestry celebrates Quaker influence on the modern world.

18. Beatrix Potter, Creator of Peter Rabbit, Was An Award-Winning Cumbrian Sheep Farmer

Beatrix Potter is also widely accredited of saving the local Herdwick breed of sheep, and she bequeathed over 4,000 acres of Lake District land to the National Trust following her death. You can read more about this fascinating lady here.

19. Brandelhow by Derwent Water Was the First Piece of Land Purchased by the National Trust

And, it’s home to one of our family friendly walks.

20. And Finally, We Have, Without a Doubt, the Best Views

It’s indisputable.