About Tarns of the Fells

Many people know Cumbria because of its lakes. Yet there are many more tarns than lakes. Cumbria is one of the most important counties in England for small water bodies like these. They are so common that it is easy to take them for granted and they receive less attention than other freshwater features like lakes and rivers. Across the UK many small water bodies have disappeared through draining, ploughing and infilling. As they are lost so too are their treasures.

Tarns hold secrets from the past. They are a living legacy of how our landscape has evolved and a vital store of biodiversity, providing habitats for a wide range of plants and animals, from microscopic forms to fish and birds. They also add a dimension to the scenery. A sheet of perfect blue on a summer’s day, they are oases of tranquillity; a flash of frozen white in winter, they are stark reminders of the changing seasons. Like diamonds sparkling amongst the fells, they possess an irresistible draw.