2 minute read
Tarn Hows
Many consider the Troutbeck Valley to be one of the prettiest of the Lake District. Due to the lack of public road it presents a scene of pastoral calm and beauty. With dry stone wall-enclosed fields, stone-built barns, sheep grazing in idyllic flowery meadows, summer hedgerows bursting with life and a backdrop of high fells the combination makes this a worthy place to wander with a camera.
What to shoot and viewpoints
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Viewpoint 1 – Kirkstone road barn
The Kirkstone Pass road is a spectacular drive (or bike ride) linking the Patterdale Valley with Ambleside and Windermere. From the top of the pass the descent towards Windermere gives some fine views down into the Troutbeck Valley. In particular there is an old stone barn located just off the road and perched above the valley giving a good foreground subject with the backdrop of the upper valley. The barn is located opposite the end of a hill in the Troutbeck Valley called The Tongue.
The main issue is there are not many places to stop on the narrow winding road. The best place is a small lay-by on the opposite side of the road from a gate and footpath (NY 413 061). The lay-by is located 1.6 miles below the Kirkstone Pass Inn or 4.5 miles up the Kirkstone Pass road from the A591/A592 mini roundabout at Cooks House on the Ambleside Road (SD 406 993). From the lay-by cross the road and go through the gate. Instead of following the footpath downhill contour right for 150m to find the barn close to the roadside wall.
The ruined barn looks towards the east but for most compositions you will be looking north up into the valley meaning it works most times of the day. All seasons will give some interest, it is a little overgrown and green in mid summer however. The ruined wall on the south side gives a lead in to the barn and is most visible when the bracken dies down in autumn.
Opposite: Kirkstone road barn in summer. Canon 5D MkIV, 17–40 at 29mm, ISO 100, 1/1000s at f/4. July.
Tortoiseshell butterfly in a field in the Troutbeck Valley. Canon 5D MkIV, 100–400 at 400mm, ISO 200, 1/160s at f/11. July.
