Loughrigg Tarn – Wordsworth’s ‘Diana’s Looking-Glass’
Have you ever stood beside a Lake District tarn and wondered what the poets saw in it that made them stop and simply admire the view?
There are plenty of grander lakes in the Lake District. Windermere, Ullswater and Coniston are all famous for their size and dramatic surroundings.
But sometimes it is the smaller places that leave the biggest impression.
Loughrigg Tarn is one of those places.
Tucked away beneath the slopes of Loughrigg Fell, just a short distance from Skelwith Bridge, this small, almost perfectly rounded tarn has been admired for generations.
More than 200 years ago, William Wordsworth was so taken by it that he compared its appearance to Diana’s Looking-Glass – a fitting description for a body of water that can look remarkably like a mirror on a calm day.
And remarkably, his description still feels right today.
At a glance
- Location: Near Skelwith Bridge, Cumbria
- Walk: Circular route around Loughrigg Tarn
- Distance: Around 2.75 km (1.7 miles)
- Time: About 1 hour
- Terrain: Mostly easy, with a short steeper section
- Highlights: Loughrigg Tarn, Langdale Pikes and Loughrigg Fell
- Best time to visit: All year, although summer brings water lilies to the tarn
- Suitable for: Walkers looking for a relatively short and rewarding Lake District walk
The Lake District National Park describes the circular route as around 2.75 km and approximately one hour, although naturally you will want to allow longer if, like us, you enjoy stopping to take photographs and admire the views.
Starting at Skelwith Bridge
Our walk begins at Skelwith Bridge, a lovely little village on the road between Ambleside and Elterwater.
From here, the route heads towards Loughrigg Tarn.
The landscape soon changes from the bustle of the road to the quieter surroundings of the countryside, with Loughrigg Fell rising above you.
It doesn’t take long before you begin to appreciate why this corner of the Lakes appealed to Wordsworth.
Loughrigg Tarn isn’t one of those places that announces itself from miles away.
In fact, it is rather tucked away. Alfred Wainwright described it as one of the more secluded tarns, and that sense of being hidden away is part of its charm.
Then, quite suddenly, the water comes into view.
And what a view it is.
‘Round, clear and bright as heaven’
William Wordsworth knew the Lake District intimately. He walked its paths, climbed its fells and found inspiration in landscapes that many of us might otherwise have simply walked past.
Loughrigg Tarn was clearly special to him.
In his writing, Wordsworth described it as a particularly beautiful example of a miniature lake. He famously likened it to “Diana’s Looking-glass”, describing the tarn as “round, clear and bright as heaven.” The comparison was to Lake Nemi in Italy, traditionally associated with Diana.
It is easy to understand the comparison.
On a still day, the surface of Loughrigg Tarn reflects the surrounding hills and sky.
The almost circular shape of the tarn adds to the impression that you are looking into a giant natural mirror.
And when the water is calm, the reflections can be extraordinary.
Wordsworth was writing about this landscape around two centuries ago, yet standing here today, it is surprisingly easy to see exactly what he meant.
A tarn beneath Loughrigg Fell
Loughrigg Tarn sits at the foot of Loughrigg Fell, with the fell rising above its shores.
The tarn itself is relatively small, measuring roughly 371 metres by 277 metres and sitting at about 97 metres above sea level. It covers around 10 hectares.
But don’t let its size fool you.
The views are anything but small.
Look across the water and, on a clear day, the Langdale Pikes provide a magnificent backdrop.
The combination of the quiet tarn, the surrounding woodland and the rugged fells gives the scene a distinctly Lakeland character.
It is the sort of place where you can easily find yourself standing still for several minutes without realising it.
Following the path around the tarn
The circular walk follows a path around the water, with some excellent viewpoints along the way.
The Lake District National Park route describes a wide bridleway which winds around and above the tarn.
From higher sections of the path there are particularly good views towards the Langdale Pikes.
As you walk, the view changes constantly.
One moment the tarn is directly in front of you. A little further on, it becomes framed by trees and the surrounding fell. Then you catch another glimpse of the water between the branches.
In summer, water lilies can cover parts of the surface, adding another splash of interest to an already beautiful scene.
It is a walk that rewards taking your time.
A walk for every season
One of the things I like about Loughrigg Tarn is that it isn’t simply a summer destination.
In spring, the surrounding countryside comes alive, while summer brings the water lilies and longer days.
Autumn is particularly atmospheric, with the changing colours reflected in the dark waters of the tarn.
And then there is winter.
On a cold, still winter morning, the landscape can feel almost timeless.
The trees are bare, the surrounding fells can carry snow and the tarn can become a dark, glass-like mirror beneath a grey Lakeland sky.
Perhaps Wordsworth‘s description is never more appropriate than on a perfectly still winter day.
Take your time
Although the circular route is only around 1.7 miles, I wouldn’t recommend rushing it.
This is not a walk you do simply to tick off the miles.
Stop beside the tarn.
Look at the reflections.
Listen to the birds.
Watch the clouds moving across Loughrigg Fell.
And, if you are lucky enough to visit when the water is perfectly still, take a moment to look at Wordsworth’s ‘Diana’s Looking-Glass’ for yourself.
You may find yourself agreeing with him.
More than 200 years later
There is something rather special about standing in exactly the same landscape that inspired one of England’s greatest poets.
The roads may be busier and the Lake District may welcome many more visitors than it did in Wordsworth‘s day, but Loughrigg Tarn itself remains remarkably unchanged.
The little tarn still lies beneath Loughrigg Fell.
The Langdale Pikes still rise in the distance.
And on a calm day, the water can still become that wonderful natural mirror.
Wordsworth saw something here more than two centuries ago. Thankfully, it hasn’t disappeared.
Perhaps that is the real magic of Loughrigg Tarn.
Wordsworth called it “round, clear and bright as heaven”. Come and stand beside it yourself and see if you think he got it right.
Visiting Loughrigg Tarn from our holiday cottage
If you are staying at Kents Bank Holiday Cottage, Loughrigg Tarn makes a lovely day out in the central Lake District.
The drive takes you towards Ambleside and Skelwith Bridge before continuing into the beautiful Langdale area.
You could easily combine a visit to the tarn with a trip to Elterwater, Grasmere or Ambleside, making it a great addition to a day exploring this part of the Lake District.
After a day walking, there is nothing quite like returning to the peace and quiet of Kents Bank, with its views across Morecambe Bay and a comfortable place to put your feet up.
Loughrigg Tarn may be small, but, as Wordsworth discovered more than 200 years ago, sometimes the smallest places can leave the strongest memories.
Looking for holiday cottages in the Lake District
We own and run Kents Bank Holiday Cottage, a cosy, dog-friendly holiday cottage in Kents Bank, near Grange-over-Sands, with beautiful views across Morecambe Bay.
Find out more about our cottage and discover more places to visit in the Lake District on our website: www.kentsbankholiday.co.uk
How to Book Kents Bank Holiday cottage in Grange-over-Sands
Booking Kents Bank Holiday Cottage is quick and simple. Just visit our website at kentsbankholiday.co.uk or give us a call at 07785944194. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect dates for your stay.
Our friendly team makes the whole process easy so that you can focus on your relaxing holiday near Kirkby Stephen and Grange-over-Sands.