Lapwing at Venus Pools

 

Skelghyll Woods with the Champion Tree Trail and Jenkyns Crag offering a view of Wray Castle Ambleside

Skelghyll Wood, created around 1860 by Victorian plant hunters, is a remarkable testament to the era's fascination with exotic species. These plant hunters traveled the world, returning with rare and unusual conifers, over 150 of which were planted on the wooded slopes above Lake Windermere. While not all species thrived, Skelghyll eventually evolved into a fine example of a Victorian arboretum.

A well-marked 45-minute circular trail winds through the wood, with plaques identifying tree species and their origins. The star attraction is a towering Grand Fir (Abies grandis), standing 58m (190 feet) tall—the tallest tree in Cumbria and North West England, rivaling the UK's tallest Grand Fir at 64.5m in Scotland.

In 1840, Dr. James Dawson, a retired Liverpool surgeon, embarked on building his own Gothic Revival-style castle. Complete with towers and arrow slits, the castle was constructed in the Low Wray area on the western shore of Lake Windermere. Dr. Dawson was able to fund the project in part due to the wealth of his wife, Margaret, whose family amassed their fortune through gin production. Together, they financed the completion of the castle, which stands as a testament to their prosperity.

Jenkins Crag, located near Ambleside in the Lake District, offers one of the most breathtaking views of Windermere. While the scenery is renowned, local legend tells a darker tale about how the crag got its name, linked to the tragic death of a man named Jenkyns.

According to folklore, Jenkyns was a local farmer who lived in the area many years ago. One fateful evening, he ventured out to the crag, either to admire the view or to take a shortcut home through the woodland. However, as the story goes, Jenkyns lost his footing on the rocky outcrop, plummeting to his death on the steep cliffs below. Some say he slipped in the dark or during a storm, while others suggest he was distracted, perhaps by a stray animal or some sudden sound.

In the years following his death, locals began referring to the outcrop as "Jenkins Crag," memorializing the unfortunate farmer in the landscape where he met his tragic end. Though the tale has variations, Jenkins Crag now carries the weight of both natural beauty and a lingering air of mystery tied to its namesake’s untimely demise.