Story
Peak Colour
In 1930, Beatrix Potter acquired the vast Monk Coniston Estate, stretching from the head of Coniston Water to Little Langdale. Using the proceeds from her beloved little books, she led the conservation effort herself, pioneering a partnership with the National Trust that would secure the future of this cherished landscape. Among its treasures was Tarn Hows.
Today, a trio of magnificent Herdwick ewes stands proudly on a rocky outcrop above the tarn. They were bred by Jon Watson, a present-day tenant of Yew Tree Farm, and descended from the flock Beatrix once owned in nearby Yewdale.
On this autumn morning, everything I love about the Lake District came together in a single frame: the glow of early light, the richness of peak colour, the unmistakable ridgeline of the Langdales, and the pyramid summits of Pike o’ Blisco and Bowfell. A classic Lakeland view—yet it’s the Herdwicks that complete the scene. Their presence anchors the landscape in tradition, bringing a sense of belonging and continuity. One of my most cherished memories with the camera.
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A National Trust Property | Photo Permissions kindly granted | Picture © Ian Lawson