During the ice age this valley was filled by a glacier. As the ice melted, the floor was covered by a layer of soil, which has flattened it out. The flat valley floor is drained by a river. There is a danger of flooding, but the river has been straightened and its banks have been built up. The valley floors are the best farmland in the area. Locally, this land is known as the 'inbye', because it is divided into fields which are 'in by the farm'.

2.
Some of the land in the valley is marshy, like the area in the foreground of the picture below. This is divided into bigger fields called allotment land.  On the valley sides the lower slopes are stony, and these are also used as allotment. The steeper areas are left as woodland, and give some shelter from the wind and drifting snow.

3.

Farming in this part of the Lake District is either keeping sheep or beef cattle. This is called pastoral farming. The farmers cannot grow crops because the climate is cool and wet and the soils are stony, and poorly drained. This is ideal for growing grass. The best land is on the valley floor. Over the centuries the land has been cleared of stones, and these have been used to build walls. The grass is rich and juicy and is usually cut in summer to make hay or silage.

4.

Above the lower slopes of the valley the land is rocky and steep. This land is called the fells. it is covered by poor grass and bracken which is known as rough grazing. The fells are separated from the lower slopes by a wall known as the 'intake wall'. Sheep are the only animals which can be kept on this land. In summer the animals roam freely over the fells, in winter and in the lambing season they are rounded up and brought down to the safety of the valley floor.

In winter, the weather is too severe for the animals to roam the high fells.  They are rounded up and brought down into the valley.  This is a difficult time for the farmer, because the sheep and cattle can only eat what the farmer puts out.  He will have cut the meadow grass in summer, and stored it as hay or silage.  This is the fodder for the animals when snow covers the ground.

6.

The farmer needs barns to store machinery like tractors and trailers. The animals (particularly cattle) will be kept under cover during the worst of the winter weather. Barns will be used to store hay and silage which are used to feed the animals in winter.

7.

Farming is changing. It is hard work and difficult to earn enough money to live on. Many people, particularly young adults, leave the area. Farms have often been combined, and there are disused buildings like this barn. Many farmers are taking up other activities to increase their income. (this is called diversification)

8.

This farmer has built some chalets on his land to be used as holiday homes for visitors. Thousands of tourists come to the Lake District every year, and there is always a need for accommodation. Several farmers in this valley have created campsites on the 'inbye' land (it is not needed for the animals in summer). These are ways in which the farmers can make more money.

9.

One of the problems with people leaving the area is that shops and other services often have to close, because there are not enough customers any more. The old village pub in Hartsop has closed, and been converted into a adventure centre for young people to come and stay.

10.

Some buildings are re-used for bed and breakfast accommodation. Tourism has created some jobs in the area.

What do the road signs tell us about the suitability of this area for tourists ?

11.

Of course, tourists do not only bring benefits to the area. There is a need for car-parks, which are unsightly. The narrow roads become congested.

Does tourism cause any other problems ?