Blea Tarn
An internet search shows that Blea Tarn is one of the most photographed locations in the Lake District and once you get there it is easy to see why.
The classic view of Blea Tarn shows the reflection of the Langdale Pikes in the still water. This photograph was taken approximately 100m from the small National Trust car park.
Blea Tarn is a small mountain tarn or lake in between the two valleys of Great Langdale and Little Langdale near to Ambleside in the Lake District National Park. According to the National Trust website, the sediment in the bed of Blea Tarn has not been disturbed since the last Ice Age. It is now designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are brown trout, perch and pike in the tarn.
Whilst it looks remote you can actually drive up to the Tarn along a narrow, sometimes steep, country lane. The tarn is near to a small National Trust car park and after crossing the road there is a path that provides access to the water edge. The path is level and made of crushed stone so is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Blea Tarn is photogenic for both sunrise and sunset photography. From the southern shore of the tarn the mountains of the Langdale Pikes rise up in the background and on a still day it is possible to get stunning reflections of these peaks in the water. Foreground interest can be achieved by including some of the large rocks near to the shore, of fences that slope down into the water. Cloudy skies offer better compositions as the colour and texture of the sky is reflected in the water rather than two large areas of single tone.
Further around the Blea Tarn lake shore a part submerged fence and dry stone wall can provide foreground interest while still retaining the reflection of the mountains.
It was getting late on a winter’s afternoon when I arrived at the tarn and parked the car. As the light was starting to fade the wind dropped and the lake became almost mirror like allowing me to get a perfect reflection of the Langdale Pikes in the still water. Moving further along the well maintained path it is possible to include the broken fence and dry stone wall as foreground interest along with the stand on pine trees on the shore of the lake..
Earlier in the day I came across this view of the Langdale Pikes from the minor road between Great Langdale and Little Langdale.
Getting There:
From Ambleside head out along the A5933 towards Skelwith Bridge. Soon after Elterwater Park Guest House turn right onto Side gates towards Little Langdale and Wrynose Pass.
Before you reach the pass turn right towards Great Langdale. As you descend the hill and cross a cattle grid you will see a carpark on the right. Park here and walk from the carpark, across the road and through the gate. The path will lead to the tarn.
Grid Location: NY 295 043