Lake District Places and People Quiz

Answer: Bannermere

Bannermere is the fictional creation of children's author Geoffrey Trease. The lake in the five "Bannermere" stories has genuine Lake District features and the countryside is based on aspects of Wasdale and Ennerdale. The small town he calls Winthwaite is largely based on Cockermouth.

Answer: Derwentwater

The theatre is situated in the town of Keswick and so Bassenthwaite Lake is not that far away but it is less than one minute's walk from the shores of Derwentwater.

Answer: Helvellyn

This narrow ridge with steep drops on either side has been much photographed. In his children's historical novel "Cue for Treason" the author has his young hero pursued across this dramatic feature.

Answer: William Wordsworth

In the same churchyard are Mary, William's wife and Dorothy, his sister. Much of Wordsworth's life was spent in and around Grasmere and there are many local references in his poetry.

Answer: Hardknott

Hardknott Fort is 260 metres above sea level and is built near the Roman road that leads from the coast over the Hardknott and Wrynose passes to Windermere and beyond. There are, of course, Roman forts on Hadrian's Wall which lie within the county boundaries of Cumbria.

Answer: 17 kilometres

Over a million tourists a year take a Windermere lake cruise. The steamers go from Waterhead (near Ambleside) at the north end of the lake and from Lakeside at the southern end. Bowness on the eastern shore is the other calling point.

Answer: Brantwood

John Ruskin was one of the most influential people who declared that the beauties of the Lake District should be preserved for all to enjoy. In this idea he echoed the ideas of William Wordsworth and foreshadowed what was to be achieved by Beatrix Potter.

Answer: Beatrix Potter

It is surprising to realise now that Beatrix Potter's early books were rejected by the publishers. In the end she decided to have them published herself. Though she was born in London, she demonstrated her love for the Lake District in the stories she wrote and in the provisions of her will which helped develop the National Trust.

Answer: Keswick

Graphite was discovered in the hills around Keswick in the 16th century.At first graphite was used for making moulds but when the pencil was invented it led to the development of a substantial industry which declined in the 18th century. Today there is only one factory left which is on the same site as the museum.

Answer: The Castlerigg Stone Circle

There are 38 stones with some of them as big as eight foot high that stand in an oval shape that is around 100 feet in diameter. Inside that there are ten more stones arranged in a rectangle. In spite of many theories no one really knows the purpose of this remarkable feature.

Answer: Thirlmere

Previously there had been two small tarns called Leathes Water and Wythburn Water which were connected by a small stream. An Act of Parliament was passed so the lake could be created. The aqueduct was finally connected up in 1894.

Answer: Windermere

Wordsworth wrote a poem in which he complained that the beauty of the view from the top of Orrest Head would be spoiled by the coming of the railway. However, today the view over Lake Windermere with its scattered islets is still there to captivate anyone who makes the short stroll to the top.

Answer: Coniston and Windermere

Ransome claimed that all the locations could be found. However, "Wild Cat Island" in "Swallows and Amazons" was based on both Peel Island on Coniston and Blake Holme on Windermere. The town of Rio is definitely based on Bowness on Windermere.

Answer: Derwentwater

Derwent itself actually means "white water" and so the "water" on the end of the name is really unnecessary. St. Herbert, the hermit, was reputed to be a friend of the famous St. Cuthbert.

Answer: by a dry stone wall

No cement or mortar is used to keep the dry stone walls together. Building and repairing them takes particular skills which are highly valued. The National Park Authorities ensure that this traditional method of boundary demarcation will continue.