Kentmere

Today's the day ...................... for Postman Pat country

Took a drive to the village of Kentmere today - high up in the valley of the River Kent, the river that runs through Kendal.

There are lots of interesting things to learn about the Kentmere Valley. It's about 3 miles long and begins with a bowl of hills known as the Kentmere Round - a horseshoe of high fells which surrounds the Kentmere Reservoir. There have been various mills along the river taking advantage of water power to make cloth - and then wooden bobbins. The green Lakeland slate to be found in the valley has been mined in the past.

For a valley of its size, Kentmere has produced more than its fair share of famous families - most notably the Gilpin family who were the main landowners in the village. But possibly the character who will be remembered most is Postman Pat - from the children's books written by John Cunliffe. Pat lived in Greendale which is claimed by his creator to be based on Kentmere and the neighbouring valley of Longsleddale.

It's easy to imagine him going up and down in his van on the hilly road through the valley - with 'his black and white cat' ...................