Glenridding
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Glenridding is a village located on the southern shore of Ullswater, in the English Lake District. The village is popular with tourists of all kinds but especially mountain walkers who can scale England's third highest mountain, Helvellyn, and many other challenging peaks from here. The village has ample accommodation including two Youth Hostels and good camping sites. There is also a tourist information centre, Ullswater Information Centre.
Above the village, at Greenside, is the site of the largest lead mine in the Lake District. Lead ore was discovered in the 1650s and the site was mined from the 1690s to 1962. Without the mine, the houses and economy of Glenridding and the surrounding area would not have existed [1].
Glenridding is home to the Ullswater Steamers, part of Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company Limited, which started operating steamer services in 1859 carrying mail, provisions and passengers around Ullswater. "Raven", completed in 1889, was built in Rutherglen near Glasgow by Thomas Seath and Company and transported in section by rail to Penrith, and then by horse dray to Pooley Bridge where she was assembled. "Lady of the Lake" had already been launched in 1877 and over the last 116 years both vessels have been in service on Ullswater. During the 1930s both vessels were converted to diesel and the programme of preservation and refurbishment continues today providing greater comfort in the saloon where passengers can enjoy central heating, beverages and drinks. "Lady Dorothy" was brought over from Guernsey in March 2001. She was restored by local boat builder Frank Howard and allows for a winter service. "Totnes Castle" was brought to Ullswater early in 2005, sailing round the coast to Whitehaven and finishing her long journey on a flat back trailer. Following an intensive program of refurbishment, she was relaunched and renamed "Lady Wakefield" in November 2006.
The village and surrounding area was used to film the TV series The Lakes.
[edit] References
- ^ Greenside and the Mines of the Ullswater Valley by Ian Tyler, Blue Rock Publications 2001
[edit] External links
- Glenridding
- Ullswater Steamers
- Ullswater Valley and surrounding area information website
- Local Ullswater information