Esthwaite Water facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Esthwaite Water |
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Esthwaite Water
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 Esthwaite Water
Location in Lake District
Esthwaite Water
Location in South Lakeland
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Map (1925)
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| Location | Lake District, Cumbria |
| Coordinates | 54°21′N 2°59′W / 54.350°N 2.983°W |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 280 acres (1.1 km2) |
| Average depth | 6.4 m (21.0 ft) |
| Max. depth | 15.5 m (50.9 ft) |
| Residence time | 0.26 years |
| Surface elevation | 65.3 m (214 ft) |
| Islands | 1 |
| Designated: | 7 November 1991 |
| Reference #: | 536 |
Esthwaite Water is a beautiful, smaller lake in the famous Lake District National Park in northern England. It sits between two much larger lakes, Windermere and Coniston Water. This area is part of Cumbria county.
To the north of the lake, you'll find the village of Hawkshead. To the west is Grizedale Forest, a great place for outdoor adventures. The lake covers about 280 acres (1.1 km2). It is well-known for its excellent fishing, especially for trout and pike. Esthwaite Water is also a special protected area called a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
What's in a Name?
Have you ever wondered where the name Esthwaite comes from? It might mean "the eastern clearing." This name probably combines an old English word for "east" with a Norse word for "clearing" or open space.
Another idea is that the name means "the clearing where ash trees grow." This comes from a Norse word for "ash trees." The word "Water" in Esthwaite Water simply means "lake" in old English. Many lakes in the Lake District, like Ullswater, also use "Water" in their names.
Esthwaite Water and Famous Poems
Esthwaite Water was a special place for the famous English poet William Wordsworth. He mentioned the lake in several of his poems. Wordsworth often walked and thought by the lake.
In his poem "Expostulation and Reply," Wordsworth wrote about talking with a friend near Esthwaite Water. He also set "Lines Left Upon A Seat In A Yew-Tree" at the lake. Wordsworth even mentioned the lake in his long poem, "The Prelude." He described "green peninsulas on Esthwaite's Lake" and "the splitting ice" from its surface. His very first long poem, "The Vale of Esthwaite," was written in 1787.
Nature and Wildlife
Esthwaite Water is unique because it has more nutrients than many other lakes in Cumbria. This means it's a very rich environment for plants and animals. You can find common British water plants here.
One special plant found in Esthwaite Water is called Najas flexilis. This plant is quite rare in other places. The lake's rich waters help many different species of fish and other wildlife to thrive.
