Wasdale

For the lesser-known Wasdale on the east of the Lake District, see Wasdale Horseshoe.

Wasdale from the shores of Wastwater. Yewbarrow is on the left, Great Gable in the centre and the Scafell range on the right.

Wasdale (/ˈwɒzdeɪl/ WOZ-dayl) is a valley and civil parish in the western part of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. The River Irt flows through the valley to its estuary at Ravenglass. A large part of the main valley floor is occupied by Wastwater, the deepest lake in England (258 feet). Sailing and motorboats aren't permitted on the Lake but you can canoe and it is very popular for divers.

On the south-eastern side of the lake are very steep screes below the summits of Whin Rigg and Illgill Head which are more accessible on the far side. The head of the valley is dominated by the Great Gable and Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, which, along with Scafell, Kirk Fell and Yewbarrow, surround the small community of Wasdale Head. Wasdale is famous amongst rock climbers as the home of British rock climbing. A classic route is Nape's Needle on Great Gable.

Nearby is St Olaf's Church, one of the smallest churches in England. Wasdale Head was also home to an annual "greatest liar" contest, now held nearby at Santon Bridge. Further down the valley are the villages of Nether Wasdale and Gosforth.

Fells of Wasdale

Clockwise from the north-west:-

• Seatallan
  • Buckbarrow
• Middle Fell
• Yewbarrow
• Red Pike
• Scoat Fell
• Pillar
• Kirk Fell
• Great Gable

Sty Head Pass

• Great End
• Scafell Pike
  • Lingmell
• Scafell
• Illgill Head
• Whin Rigg
  • Irton Pike

Etymology

The name came from Old Norse Vatnsdalr = "valley of the water".

Telephone numbers

The (0194 67) 26xxx range is assigned to Wasdale.

External links

• Wasdale
• Wasdale website
• Photos of Wasdale