Tarn Wadling

Where’s the water?
Good question.

Although Tarn Wadling is marked on the OS map, just off the A6 before Carlisle, on the Armathwaite road, there is no tarn, not now. 
There was . . . once.

In fact, although now only a depression in a field, in the past it was a well known lake. In the 1375 Gough map of the north of England, only two bodies of water feature – Windermere and Tarn Wadling. It is likely that it was important more for its mythical resonance than for its size. Because it was a magical lake.

Tarn Wadling was a large natural lake, associated with Arthurian legends and having its own resident Giant who lived in a castle (Owain’s Castle), a lofty eminence on the north east side of the lake (apparently). And mysterious things happened – a peal of bells could be heard every day around the first hour. It had an island that appeared and disappeared – Brigadoon style. On a more prosaic note – it was said to produce the finest carp in the kingdom. The building you can see to the right of the picture used to be a boat house belonging to the lake. 

The Awntyrs off Arthur at the Terne Wathelin
(The adventures of Arthur at Tarn Wadling) is a poem, probably written in the 14th century. Here is the first bit with a translation from the strong dialect:

In the tyme of Arthur an aunter bytydde, 
By the Turne Wathelan, as the boke telles
Whan he to Carlele was comen, that conquerour kydde,
With dukes and dussiperes that with the dere dwelles,
To hunte at the herdes that longe had ben hydde . . . 
 
In the time of Arthur an adventure occurred/By the Tarn Wadling, as the book tells/When he to Carlisle was come/that conqueror famous/with dukes and nobles that with the dear (king) dwells/To hunt at the herds that long had been hidden. 

The poem is apparently political, deeply moral and critical of the values of the 14th century court. It was thought to have been written by a member of the Order of Augustinian Canons in Carlisle, who had fishing rights at Tarn Wadling. 

In the 1800s Lord Lonsdale had the Tarn drained for agricultural land. 
 
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The depression can be seen close to where the muck spreader is. It is worth going large to see it properly. 
We discovered a tiny Woodland Trust Wood called Tarn Wadling Wood. We don't think many people know it is there. 
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River Petteril (22)
Links with the last one about Inglewood Forest.