The Lake District with James Bell

Ever heard or visited the Lake District in England?  I had certainly only heard of it but had never glimpsed it's subtle beauty until I got an email from James Bell one day and took a look at his website.  James is a U.K. based photographer with a clear passion to photograph (and motorcycle!) his homeland.  James has been kind enough to share with us some of his favorite images from the Lake District.  Enjoy! 

Images and words courtesy of James Bell.   

Buttermere Tree

"A lone birch tree on the shore of Buttermere. Quite possibly the most photographed tree in the entire lake District national Park. Seen here late one December afternoon as the sun sets over the High Stile Ridge illuminating Fleetwith Pike at the end of the lake."

The Retreat

"An old Miners Hut high in the Lake District Fells above Buttermere. Generations ago the hut was used by Miners in this area but now it’s a Bothy where anyone can stake shelter or stay the night. Inside is a open fire and enough space to sleep 4 or 5. The building has one window which looks down the valley and is probably the most beautiful view form any window in the whole of England in my humble opinion."

Langdale Lines

"The Langdale Valley in the Southern Lake District. One of the most photogenic areas of the National Park and this view over the head of the valley is simply breathtaking. The dry stone wall leads you down to Side Pike with the cluster of fells on the right locally known as the Langdale Pikes to the right."

Autumn Rock Pool

"The River Esk runs down the middle of the Eskdale Valley in the Western Lake District and these crystal clear waters allow us to see every rock on the river bed. The amazing fall colours on the riverbank really adding to the true beauty of this image."

Wastwater Favourite

"Wastwater in the Western Lakes District is the deepest and one of the most remote and desolate Lakes in the National Park. The famous Wastwater Screes run almost the entire length on the East side and the outline of three peaks at the head of the Lake Yebarrow, Great Gable and Lingmell Fell for the Lake District National Parks logo. In 2008 a national UK TV program voted this view 'Britain’s favourite View'."

Coniston Old Man

"Coniston Water is a world famous body of water as it is where various world water speed records have been set. In 1939 Sir Malcom Campbell set the record at 141.74mph in Bluebrid K4. Between 1956 and 1959 Sir Malcolm's son Donald Campbell set four successive records on the lake in Bluebird K7. In 1966 Donald Campbell decided that he needed to exceed 300 miles per hour (483 km/h) in order to retain the record. On January 4, 1967 he achieved a top speed of over 320 miles per hour (515 km/h) in Bluebird K7 on the return leg of a record-breaking attempt. He then lost control of Bluebird, which somersaulted and crashed, sinking rapidly. Campbell was killed instantly on impact. The attempt could not be counted as a record-breaking run because the second leg was not completed. The remains of Bluebird were recovered from the water in 2001 and Campbell's body was recovered later in the same year. Seen here on a beautiful winter morning with snow on the fell opposite which is named Coniston Old Man."

Kirkstone Pass

"Many roads cross over the high fells in the Lake District, the highest of such passes is the Kirkstone Pass that runs between Windermere and Ullswater.  Seen here in later Autumn as the sun broke through the clouds to give me 5 minutes of amazing light in 18 days of thick grey cloud and persistent rain. The name of the pass is derived from a nearby stone, the kirkstone, which stands a few yards from the roadside. The stone is so named as its silhouette resembles a church steeple, 'kirk' meaning church in old Norse, it is easily spotted coming both ways on the pass."

You can find more of James' work and prints for sale on his website.  Or give him a follow on this Instagram account.

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