Belle Isle (Windermere) facts for kids
Belle Isle is the biggest of 18 islands on Windermere, a large lake in England's beautiful Lake District. It's the only island there that people have ever lived on! The island is about 1 kilometer (or 0.6 miles) long.
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A Look Back: Belle Isle's History
This island has a long and interesting past.
Early Days and Roman Visitors
Long, long ago, a Roman governor who lived nearby in Ambleside built a fancy house, called a villa, right here on Belle Isle. Imagine Romans enjoying this peaceful island!
Lords, Ladies, and Wars
Around the year 1250, Belle Isle became the home of the local Lord of the Manor. This was an important person who owned a lot of land in the area. Later, during the English Civil War (a big conflict in England's history), the island was a strong base for the Royalist side.
The Unique Island House
The most famous building on Belle Isle is the Island House.
Building a Round Home
In 1774, a special house was built on the island. It was designed by an architect named John Plaw. What makes it so unique? It's completely round! The house is made of brick and has three floors. It even has a grand entrance with four columns, much like the famous Pantheon building in Rome.
How Belle Isle Got Its Name
The island and its new house were later sold to a very rich family called the Curwens. They decided to rename the island after their daughter, Isabella. In 1781, Isabella Curwen herself bought the island from her family for £1,720. From then on, it was officially called Belle Isle. Isabella and her husband, John Christian Curwen, had descendants who continued to live on the island until 1993.
The Fire and Repair
In 1996 (or possibly late 1994), the beautiful Belle Isle House was badly damaged by a large fire. It was a sad event, but thankfully, the house was repaired. Today, it is once again a home where people live.
What's in a Name?
You might wonder why it's called 'Belle Isle' and not 'Isabella Island'.
From Isabella to Belle
The name 'Belle' comes from a shortened version of Isabella: Bella. Over time, the 'a' at the end was dropped, making it 'Bell'. When the Ordnance Survey (the official map-makers) mapped the area in 1925, they spelled it 'Belle'. Before it was renamed in 1774, local people knew the island by other names like the Great Island, Long Holme, or simply Longholm.
Images for kids
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Island House, Belle Isle, Lake Windermere
