Splendid Isolation

Of all the idyllic views in the Lake District, this has to be one of my favourites. From this standpoint on Rannerdale Knotts, Wood House appears to own the head of the Lorton Valley, with Crummock Water stretching before it, and Buttermere lake behind. In fact, Buttermere village nestles behind the wood with its farms, tea-rooms and ice-creams, all of a bustle with tourists at this time of year, albeit hardly on the scale of Keswick or Ambleside. 

The head of the valley is framed by Fleetwith Pike (left) and Haystacks (right), and one can just see the summit of Great Gable above and behind Haystacks with the smaller top of Green Gable to its left.