Kirkstone Pass

Kirkstone Pass is a mountain pass in the English Lake District, in the county of Cumbria. It is at an altitude of convert|1489|ft|m|0.

This is the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic and it connects Ambleside in the Rothay Valley to Patterdale in the Ullswater Valley - the A592 road. In places, the gradient is 1 in 4. Brothers Water provides a picturesque view, on the descent to Patterdale.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn stands close to the summit of the pass. Formerly an important coaching inn, it now caters primarily for tourists. It is the third highest public house in England.

Slate quarrying

As well as Lead and Copper mining, quite a large undertaking of slate mining has been taking place over the years. Pets Quarry, currently being worked by "Kirkstone Green Slate Company" is just before the highest point in the pass, from Ambleside. Caudale slate mine is a few miles further down, on the Ullswater side, and was last worked at the beginning of the 20th century. All adits to the mine are now blocked. Nearby is the Hartsop Hall Lead Mine.

Trivia

In "Cue For Treason", the best known novel of the children's writer Geoffrey Trease, much of it set in Cumbria, one character adopts the pseudonym "Kit Kirkstone", taken from the Kirkstone Pass.

External links

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