...in which we are joined by Kendal-based author and Windermere Lake Cruises skipper Robert Beale to dive into the deep history of boating on England largest lake. Rambling along the fine new path from Lakeside to Finsthwaite, we look back to Roman times and beyond to hypothesise about the first lake users. Moving into the medieval era, we consider the importance of Windermere to the monks of Furness Abbey, and the subsequent use of cargo boats to transport everything from slate and charcoal to limestone and gunpowder. Arriving in the tourist age, we reflect on the remarkable monopoly of the Furness Railway Company, with trains and boats ferrying huge numbers of people on lengthy Lakeland adventures. As we backtrack to historic fords and the River Leven 'dog hole', we learn about the role Windermere played during the two World Wars, before turning to matters more frivolous: the Tizzie-Whizie, the Crier of Claife and the possible genesis of Beatrix Potter's creative world.
Robert's book Lakeland Waterways is now out of print, but you may find it at second hand shops.
You can find Windermere Lake Cruises at windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
For more about the route we followed, see lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/media-centre/latest-news/news-releases/new-route-makes-it-easier-to-enjoy-the-scenic-west-shore-of-windermere
Countrystride #25: Smugglers, bombs and Plague Dogs - A walk on Wetherlam
Countrystride #24: Review of 2019 & AW's lost broadcast
Countrystride #23: West Coast Christmas - Voices from the past
Countrystride #22: Lost Words - Past and future in the woods of Wreay
Countrystride #21: Great Gable - Remembrance Sunday
Countrystride #20: Upper Eden - The fight to roam, with Kate Ashbrook
Countrystride #19: Pike O’Stickle - 50 years on the fells
Countrystride #18: The Pennine Way - Creation of a long, green trail
Countrystride #17: Beda Fell - with environmental campaigner Amy Bray
Countrystride #16: The Dales Way at 50 - A walk down Dentdale
Countrystride #15: John Ruskin - The Coniston visionary
Countrystride #14: A Pennine Journey - Life-changing walks
Countrystride #13: The Solway Coast - Wetlands, birdsong and lost lines
Countrystride #12: Great Langdale - A heritage landscape
Countrystride #11: High Stile – and the Buttermere skyline
Countrystride #10: Mardale Head - A walk on the wild side
Countrystride #9: Derwent Water: Creation of a landscape
Countrystride #8: Terry Abraham: Life on the mountains - A stroll on Helvellyn
Countrystride #7: A Grasmere Christmas - The Wordsworths and the coffin route
Countrystride #6: Langstrath - and the trees of Borrowdale
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Travel with Rick Steves
Frequent Miler on the Air
Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad