Seathwaite Tarn, lake in the United Kingdom
Seathwaite Tarn is a reservoir in the Duddon Valley of England's Lake District. The water stretches from Grey Friar in the north to Dow Crag in the south and is fed by several streams, including Tarn Head Beck from the east and Bleaberry Gill from the southwest.
The reservoir was enlarged in 1904 with the construction of a dam to improve water supply for the area. Major repairs were carried out in 2010, showing the ongoing importance of this structure to local infrastructure.
The name Seathwaite comes from Old English meaning 'clearing of the Seabyrnas'. The area around the reservoir has long been shaped by shepherds and farmers who grazed animals on the surrounding hills and created paths that remain in use today.
The reservoir can be reached from two starting points: Froth Pot car park, which leads through woodland, or Seathwaite Bridge, from where you walk along the fell. Both routes are well-marked and offer different perspectives of the surrounding mountains and landscape.
The outlet of this reservoir gained a memorable place in outdoor lore when a climbing expedition camped there, leaving a story that hikers and climbers still share today. This unexpected connection between a quiet water feature and a memorable journey adds a layer of adventure to what appears to be a simple walk.
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