One of the loveliest views in England ...

We drove over to Kirkby Lonsdale today to have lunch with Mr Sk's cousin and her husband.  It was nice to catch up with them after a couple of years.   


I particularly wanted to see 'Ruskin's View' so after a walk alongside the River Lune, we walked up the Radical Steps (all 46 of them!) and found this view waiting for us at the top. Unfortunately, however, the view wasn't as wide as it was the last time we were here because in September 2021, Ruskin's View and the Brow Footpath were closed by Cumbria County Council due to land instability and erosion and so the view of the River Lune isn't quite as extensive as it once was.  A recovery plan is underway but it will probably be expensive and the work will take a long time.  


It is still a lovely view though and I was pleased to see it again.  John Ruskin was a highly influential art critic, social theorist, and author, known for his strong views on art, architecture, and social issues. One of his famous quotes about this view is : "I do not know in all my country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine." and in1875, he also said of this scene "One of the loveliest views in England, therefore in the world."