Elter Water

Elter Water is a small lake in the Lake District, half a mile southeast of the village of Elterwater. It stretches just over one kilometre in length and is less than half a kilometre wide at its broadest point. The lake reaches a depth of seven metres and covers about 0.16 square kilometres. Its waters flow south into the River Brathay, which continues to Windermere near Ambleside. The lake lies on the border between the historic counties of Lancashire and Westmorland, marking the northern edge of the old Westmorland boundary. The name Elter Water may come from Old Norse, meaning ‘lake of the swan’ or ‘lake of alder’. Whooper swans still visit the lake in winter, giving weight to the first interpretation. The lake is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, though water quality has suffered from eutrophication. Navigation is not allowed on its waters, keeping the lake quiet and undisturbed. The lake is framed by the Langdale Pikes, which rise steeply behind it. Thomas Frederick Worrall painted this scene in watercolour, and the work now hangs in the Bishop’s House in Keswick. A small park at the northern end offers a place to stand by the water’s edge and take in the view of the fells. The surrounding landscape is calm, with few distractions from the natural setting.