Countrystride

Countrystride #15: John Ruskin - The Coniston visionary

…in which we set out from Coniston to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of John Ruskin, the Victorian polymath who wrote that mountains are "the beginning and the end of all natural scenery". As we walk, with Ruskin Museum archivist Vicky Slowe – past wildflower meadows, lime kilns and iconic Yewtree Farm to arrive at Coniston Water with its view of Brantwood – we discuss the great man's remarkable life, his connections, and his legacy on everything from architecture and education to social thinking and our understanding of climate change.

Countrystride #14: A Pennine Journey - Life-changing walks

…in which we are joined by Cumbria Magazine and Lakeland Walker editor John Manning to walk from Dufton to Appleby-in-Westmorland along the Pennine Journey, the long distance footpath inspired by Alfred Wainwright’s 1938 ramble through the hills of northern England.

As we walk - through bluebell woods and down cloistered ghylls - John discusses his life-changing experience on the Pennine Way, explains why Lakeland needs protecting more than ever, talks about kindness in remote places and reveals why Helvellyn holds a special place in his heart.

• For more information on the Pennine Journey long distance path see: penninejourney.org.uk

Countrystride #13: The Solway Coast - Wetlands, birdsong and lost lines

...In which we wander with Ann Lingard along the mosses, marshes and mudflats of the Solway coast. Enveloped in birdsong, we take in big skies, skeleton trees and wildlife-rich marshes before discussing the rise – and dramatic fall – of one of Cumbria's lost railways, the dying craft of salmon 'haaf netting' and how Ann's love for the sea was woken during rockpool 'guddles' with her Cornish father.

Countrystride #12: Great Langdale - A heritage landscape

...in which we celebrate World Heritage Day by exploring Great Langdale with National Trust archaeologist Jamie Lund. Setting out from Sticklebarn, we talk dry stone walls, the remarkable Cumbrian commons and the legacy of campaigner George Trevelyan, before surveying Pike o’Stickle and the perilously-located axe factory – part of the UK’s first major industry.

Countrystride #11: High Stile – and the Buttermere skyline

…in which we climb above Buttermere on a blustery ridge walk over the High Stile range with researcher and broadcaster David Powell-Thompson, best known for his appearances on Terry Abraham’s 'Life of a Mountain' films and Julia Bradbury’s 'Wainwright Walks'. As we wander - mostly in cloud - we discuss epic mountain days; ticking off the 214 (for the fourth time); the ‘steamy’ atmosphere of the old Brown’s Bus from Ambleside to Hawskhead; and hear about David’s chance encounter with A. Harry Griffin atop Pillar Rock.

Countrystride #10: Mardale Head - A walk on the wild side

...in which we climb to the impressive upland corrie tarn of Blea Water from Mardale Head with mountain leader Phil Tinning before striking over rough country to High Street's airy Rough Crag ridge - one-time home of Eddie the last Lakeland Eagle. As we walk we refresh our navigational skills, encounter deer tracks and long-lost mining trods, and are converted to the joys of wild walking. 

Countrystride #9: Derwent Water: Creation of a landscape

 ...in which we walk Derwent Water's wooded west shore from Manesty to Brandelhow Wood with National Trust ranger Roy Henderson, who talks to us about the valley's industrial past and today's management, before organising a search party for a missing labrador. At Crow Park we're joined by Dr Christopher Donaldson to take a long view of the Picturesque and the birth of the worldwide conservation movement.

Countrystride #8: Terry Abraham: Life on the mountains - A stroll on Helvellyn

…in which we make the classic Helvellyn ascent to the Hole in the Wall with film maker Terry Abraham, whose celebrated ‘Life of a Mountain’ documentaries have captured the essence of the Lakeland fells - and the communities that live among them - in a way no others have. En route we talk about what inspires Terry, the highs and lows of filming in wild places, why Thirlmere needed no zipwire, and how it feels to be thought of as an honorary Cumbrian. 

Countrystride #7: A Grasmere Christmas - The Wordsworths and the coffin route

...in which we brave the drizzle to walk from Dove Cottage in Townend along the old corpse road round Grasmere to join the festivities at Allan Bank. En route we talk with Marian Veevers about how William and Dorothy Wordsworth celebrated Christmas, and hear from the National Trust's Elaine Taylor about seasonal Cumbrian traditions. We close with music from the Cumbrian Duo, who play us out with a traditional local wassailing tune.

 

With thanks to The Cumbrian Duo for the original music from their album Hunsup through the Wood.

Countrystride #6: Langstrath - and the trees of Borrowdale

...in which we wander up rugged Borrowdale to visit the Langstrath Birch, one of seven enigmatic trees identified by Harriet and Rob Fraser in their Long View project. As we walk we discuss rewilding, poetry and Dorothy Wonrdsworth's little-known Scafell Pike ascent before breathing in as a flock of ewes heads down the valley.

Countrystride #5: Ghosts of Burnmoor - Eskdale to Wasdale

…in which we embark on a spooky - and windy - Hallowe’en wander along the moorland corpse road between St Catherine’s Church, Boot, and St Olaf’s Church, Wasdale Head. We are joined by historian Alan Cleaver who shares his passion for lonnins, talks us through the story of Burnmoor Tarn’s ghostly pony, and enthuses on the value of story - and tall tales - within Cumbria's cultural landscape. We even receive a text from Orange welcoming us to the Isle of Man - the extreme Western Lake District.