Editing Lake District (section)

== Physical geography ==
The Lake District is a roughly circular upland [[massif]], deeply dissected by a broadly [[radial drainage|radial pattern]] of major valleys which are largely the result of repeated [[Ice ages|glaciations]] over the last 2&nbsp;million years. The apparent radial pattern is not from a central dome, but from an axial watershed extending from St Bees Head in the west to Shap in the east. Most of these valleys display the U-shaped cross-section characteristic of glacial origin and often contain long narrow lakes in [[bedrock]] hollows, with tracts of relatively flat ground at their infilled heads, or where they are divided by lateral tributaries (Buttermere-Crummock Water; Derwent Water-Bassenthwaite Lake).{{efn|A stream flowing into a lake may create a [[River delta|delta]]. The delta of a side stream can completely cross a narrow lake dividing it into two by a stretch of flat land.}} Smaller lakes known as [[tarn (lake)|tarns]] occupy [[cirque (landform)|glacial cirques]] at higher elevations. It is the abundance of both which has led to the area becoming known as the Lake District.

Many of the higher [[fell]]s are rocky, while [[moorland]] predominates lower down. Vegetation cover in better-drained areas includes [[bracken]] and [[Calluna|heather]], although much of the land is [[bog]]gy, due to the high rainfall. Deciduous native woodland occurs on many of the steeper slopes below the [[tree line]], but with native oak supplemented by extensive conifer plantations in many areas, particularly [[Grizedale Forest]] in the generally lower southern part of the area. The Lake District extends to the sea to the west and south.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bing.com/maps/sharing|title=Maps|website=www.bing.com|access-date=19 August 2019|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819001502/https://www.bing.com/maps/sharing|url-status=live}}</ref>

The highest mountain in England, [[Scafell Pike]] (978 m or 3209 feet), has a far-reaching view on a clear day, ranging from the Galloway Hills of Scotland, the [[Mourne Mountains]] in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and [[Snowdonia]] in Wales.

{{wide image|Annotated Scafel Pike Panorama.jpg|3000px|A panorama from the summit of Scafell Pike, August 2007}}
{{wide image|Wasdale screes.jpg|1000px|Panorama of the Wasdale screes descending into [[Wastwater]], the deepest lake in England.}}

=== Cumbrian Mountains ===
[[File:Scafell massif.jpg|thumb|The [[Scafell]] massif, the highest ground in England, seen over [[Wasdale]].]]
{{location map+|United Kingdom Lake District|relief=1|width=300|maplink=|float=|caption={{center|Major fells and towns shown within the [[Lake District National Park|National Park]]}}|places=
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{{location map~|United Kingdom Lake District
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{{location map~|United Kingdom Lake District
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{{See also|list of fells in the Lake District|list of hills in the Lake District}}
The mountains (or '[[fells]]') of the Lake District are known as the "Cumbrian Mountains", "Cumbrian Fells" or "Lakeland Fells". The four highest fells exceed {{convert|3000|ft|m|0}}. These are:
* [[Scafell Pike]], {{convert|978|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* [[Scafell]], {{convert|965|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* [[Helvellyn]], {{convert|951|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* [[Skiddaw]], {{convert|931|m|ft|abbr=on}}

==== Northern Fells ====
The [[Northern Fells]] are a clearly defined range of hills contained within a {{convert|13|km|mi|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} diameter circle between [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]] in the southwest and [[Caldbeck]] in the northeast. They culminate in the {{convert|931|m|ft|abbr=on|adj=on}} peak of [[Skiddaw]]. Other notable peaks are [[Blencathra]] (also known as Saddleback) ({{convert|868|m|ft|abbr=on}}) and [[Carrock Fell]]. [[Bassenthwaite Lake]] occupies the valley between this massif and the North Western Fells.

==== North Western Fells ====
The [[North Western Fells]] lie between [[Borrowdale]] and Bassenthwaite Lake to the east and Buttermere and Lorton Vale to the west. Their southernmost point is at [[Honister Pass]]. This area includes the Derwent Fells above the [[Newlands Valley]] and hills to the north amongst which are [[Dale Head]], [[Robinson (Lake District)|Robinson]]. To the north stand [[Grasmoor]], highest in the range at {{convert|852|m|ft|abbr=on}}, [[Grisedale Pike]] and the hills around the valley of [[Coledale (Cumbria)|Coledale]], and in the far northwest is Thornthwaite Forest and [[Lord's Seat]]. The fells in this area are rounded [[Skiddaw slate]], with few tarns and relatively few rock faces.

==== Western Fells ====
[[File:Westmorland cairn Great Gable.jpg|thumb|The view towards [[Wast Water]] from the cairn built by the Westmorland brothers in 1876 to the SW of the summit of [[Great Gable]], which they considered the finest view in the district.]]
The [[Western Fells]] lie between Buttermere and [[Wasdale]], with [[Sty Head]] forming the apex of a large triangle. [[Ennerdale Water|Ennerdale]] bisects the area, which consists of the [[High Stile]] ridge north of Ennerdale, the [[Loweswater Fells]] in the far northwest, the [[Pillar (Lake District)|Pillar]] group in the southwest, and [[Great Gable]] ({{convert|2949|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}) near Sty Head. Other tops include [[Seatallan]], [[Haystacks (Lake District)|Haystacks]] and [[Kirk Fell]]. This area is craggy and steep, with the impressive pinnacle of Pillar Rock its showpiece. [[Wastwater]], located in this part, is England's deepest lake.

==== Central Fells ====
The [[Central Fells]] are lower in elevation than surrounding areas of fell, peaking at {{convert|762|m|ft|abbr=on}} at [[High Raise, Langdale|High Raise]]. They take the form of a ridge running between [[Derwent Water]] in the west and [[Thirlmere]] in the east, from [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]] in the north to [[Langdale Pikes]] in the south. A spur extends southeast to [[Loughrigg Fell]] above Ambleside. The central ridge running north over [[High Seat, Lake District|High Seat]] is exceptionally boggy.

==== Eastern Fells ====
[[File:Glenridding, Cumbria, England - June 2009.jpg|thumb|The village of [[Glenridding]] and [[Ullswater]]]]
The [[Eastern Fells]] consist of a long north-to-south [[ridge]], the [[Helvellyn range]], running from [[Clough Head]] to [[Seat Sandal]] with the {{convert|3118|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} [[Helvellyn]] at its highest point. The western slopes of these summits tend to be grassy, with rocky [[Cirque|corries]] and [[cliff|crags]] on the eastern side. The [[Fairfield (Lake District)|Fairfield]] group lies to the south of the range and forms a similar pattern with towering rock faces and hidden valleys spilling into the [[Patterdale]] valley. It culminates in the height of [[Red Screes]] overlooking the [[Kirkstone Pass]].

==== Far Eastern Fells ====
[[File:Haweswater from Harter Fell 3.jpg|thumb|[[Haweswater Reservoir]] from [[Harter Fell (Mardale)|Harter Fell]]]]
The [[Far Eastern Fells]] refers to all of the Lakeland fells to the east of Ullswater and the A592 road running south to Windermere. At {{convert|828|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the peak known as [[High Street (Lake District)|High Street]] is the highest point on a complex ridge that runs broadly north-south and overlooks the hidden valley of [[Haweswater Reservoir|Haweswater]] to its east. In the north of this region are the lower fells of Martindale Common and Bampton Common whilst in the south are the fells overlooking the [[Kentmere]] valley. Further to the east, beyond [[Mardale]] and [[Longsleddale]] is [[Shap]] Fell, an extensive area consisting of high [[moorland]], more rolling and [[Pennines|Pennine]] in nature than the mountains to the west.

==== Southern Fells ====
[[File:Coniston Water from Holme Fell.jpg|thumb|right|[[Coniston Water]] from [[Holme Fell]]]]
The [[Southern Fells]] occupy the southwestern quarter of the Lake District. They can be regarded as comprising a northern grouping between Wasdale, Eskdale, and the two Langdale valleys, a southeastern group east of Dunnerdale and south of Little Langdale, and a southwestern group bounded by Eskdale to the north and Dunnerdale to the east.

The first group includes England's highest mountains: [[Scafell Pike]] in the centre, at {{convert|3209|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} and [[Scafell]] {{convert|1|mi|spell=in}} to the southwest. Though it is slightly lower, Scafell has a {{convert|700|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}} rockface, Scafell Crag, on its northern side. This group also includes the [[Wastwater Screes]] overlooking Wasdale, the [[Glaramara]] ridge overlooking Borrowdale, the three tops of [[Crinkle Crags]], [[Bowfell]] and [[Esk Pike]]. The core of the area is drained by the infant [[River Esk (Ravenglass)|River Esk]]. Collectively these are some of the Lake District's most rugged hillsides.

The second group, otherwise known as the [[Furness Fells]] or Coniston Fells, have as their northern boundary the steep and narrow [[Hardknott Pass|Hardknott]] and [[Wrynose Pass|Wrynose]] passes. The highest are [[Old Man of Coniston]] and [[Swirl How]] which slightly exceed {{convert|800|m|-2|abbr=on}}.

The third group to the west of the Duddon includes [[Harter Fell, Eskdale|Harter Fell]] and the long ridge leading over [[Whitfell]] to [[Black Combe]] and the sea. The south of this region consists of lower forests and knolls, with [[Kirkby Moor]] on the southern boundary. The southwestern Lake District ends near the [[Furness]] peninsula and Barrow-in-Furness, a town which many Lake District residents rely on for basic amenities. [[Miterdale Head Wood]] is a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|site of special scientific interest]] in the region.

==== Southeastern area ====
The southeastern area is the territory between [[Coniston Water]] and [[Windermere]] and east of Windermere towards Kendal and south to Lindale. There are no high summits in this area which are mainly low hills, knolls and limestone [[cuesta]]s such as [[Gummer's How]] and [[Whitbarrow]]. Indeed, it rises only as high as {{convert|333|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} at [[Top o' Selside]] east of Coniston Water; the wide expanse of [[Grizedale Forest]] stands between the two lakes. [[Kendal]] and [[Morecambe Bay]] stand at the eastern and southern edges of the area.

=== Valleys ===
[[File:The Tongue Valley (looking from Dollywaggon Pike), near Troutbeck, Cumbria, at the Lake District National Park, United Kingdom, Europe (November 2008).jpg|thumb|The Tongue, towards Grisedale Valley with [[Ullswater]] in the distance. (looking from ''Dollywaggon Pike'')]]
The main radial valleys are (clockwise from the south) [[Dunnerdale]], [[Eskdale, Cumbria|Eskdale]], [[Wasdale]], [[Ennerdale Water|Ennerdale]], the Vale of Lorton, and Buttermere valley, the [[River Derwent, Cumbria|Derwent Valley]] and [[Borrowdale]], the Ullswater valley, Haweswater valley, [[Longsleddale]], the [[Kentmere]] valley, those converging on the head of Windermere - Grasmere, [[Great Langdale]] and Little Langdale, and the Coniston Water valley. The valleys break the mountains up into blocks, which have been described by various authors in different ways. The most frequently encountered approach is that made popular by [[Alfred Wainwright]] who published seven separate area guides to the Lakeland Fells.

=== Lakes ===
{{Wide image|Derwent Water, Keswick - June 2009.jpg|1200px|Derwent Water, one of 21 large water bodies in the Lake District}}
{{See also|List of lakes in the Lake District}}
{{location map+|United Kingdom Lake District|relief=1|width=300|maplink=|float=|caption={{center|Major lakes shown within the [[Lake District National Park|National Park]]}}|places=
{{location map~|United Kingdom Lake District
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Only one of the lakes in the Lake District is called by that name, [[Bassenthwaite Lake]]. All the others such as [[Windermere]], [[Coniston Water]], [[Ullswater]] and [[Buttermere]] are meres, [[tarn (lake)|tarns]] and waters, with ''[[mere (lake)|mere]]'' being the least common and ''water'' being the most common. The major lakes and reservoirs in the National Park are given below.
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Bassenthwaite Lake]]
*[[Brotherswater]]
*[[Buttermere]]
*[[Coniston Water]]
*[[Crummock Water]]
*[[Derwent Water]]
*[[Devoke Water]]
*[[Elter Water]]
*[[Ennerdale Water]]
*[[Esthwaite Water]]
*[[Grasmere (lake)|Grasmere]]
*[[Haweswater Reservoir]]
*[[Hayeswater]]
*[[Loweswater]]
*[[Rydal Water]]
*[[Thirlmere]]
*[[Ullswater]]
*[[Wast Water]]
*[[Windermere]]
{{div col end}}

=== Woodlands ===
Below the [[tree line]] are wooded areas, including British and European native [[oak]] woodlands and introduced softwood plantations. The woodlands provide habitats for native English wildlife. The native [[red squirrel]] is found in the Lake District and a few other parts of England. In parts of the Lake District, the rainfall is higher than in any other part of England. This gives [[Atlantic]] [[moss]]es, [[fern]]s, [[lichen]], and [[liverwort]]s the chance to grow. There is some [[ancient woodland]] in the National Park. Management of the woodlands varies: some are [[coppice]]d, some [[pollarding|pollarded]], some left to grow naturally, and some provide grazing and shelter.

===Coast===
The Lake District extends to the coast of the Irish Sea from [[Drigg]] in the north to [[Silecroft]] in the south, encompassing the [[estuary|estuaries]] of the [[River Esk (Ravenglass)|Esk]] and its tributaries, the [[River Irt|Irt]] and the [[River Mite|Mite]]. The intertidal zone of the combined estuaries includes sand, shingle and mudflats, and [[saltmarsh]]. The dune systems on either side of the estuary are protected as nature reserves; Drigg Dunes and Gullery<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cwr.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?Site=6167|title=Defra, UK - Rural Affairs|website=cwr.defra.gov.uk|access-date=19 August 2019|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729233429/http://cwr.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?Site=6167|url-status=live}}</ref> to the north and Eskmeals Dunes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/eskmeals-dunes|title=Eskmeals Dunes &#124; Cumbria Wildlife Trust|website=www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk|access-date=19 August 2019|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714093344/https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/eskmeals-dunes|url-status=live}}</ref> to the south. South of the estuary, the coast is formed in low cliffs of glacial [[till]], sands, and gravels.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GeoIndex - British Geological Survey|url=https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html|access-date=7 February 2023|website=mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk}}</ref>

The district also extends to the tidal waters of [[Morecambe Bay]] and several of its estuaries alongside the [[Furness Peninsula|Furness]] and [[Cartmel Peninsula]]s, designated on M6 motorway signposts as the "Lake District Peninsulas", and the southern portions of which lie outside the park. These are the [[Duddon Estuary]], the [[River Leven, Cumbria|Leven Estuary]], and the western banks and tidal flats of the [[River Kent#Lower river|Kent Estuary]]. These areas are each characterised by sand and mudflats of scenic and wildlife interest. The coast is backed by extensive flats of raised marine deposits left when the relative sea level was higher.