Then and Now Gallery
Cumbria is a landscape of much diversity, from its lofty ridges, mountain tops and steep fell sides, to its tumbling waterfalls, ancient woodlands, farm pastures and flowing becks in the dales below. It is a landscape that draws millions of visitors every year. But have you ever wondered what it may have looked like in decades past?
In this 'Then and Now' Gallery you can explore how the landscape has changed. You will see how flower-rich hay meadows have been replaced by the lime green of improved pasture, trees have been planted and houses have been built where there was once just farmland.
The present day photographs were taken by Mike Turner.
- Ashstead Fell then...
- Ashstead Fell now. A conifer plantation has replaced open fell land.
- Turning Hay at Calgarth, Windermere. A hangar and slipway was constructed here in 1940 for a flying boat factory.
- Calgarth, Windermere 2011.
- View from the summit of Fleetwith Pike circa 1940s.
- View from the summit of Fleetwith Pike 2012.
- Hawkshead then...
- Hawkshead now. Deciduous woodland has grown up, changing the view towards the village.
- Honister Pass then...
- Honister Pass now. A paved road has replaced the stone track. Less heather can be found by the roadside today.
- Mickleden Valley then...
- Mickleden Valley now. Bracken has grown up and a plantation has replaced open fell.
- Rydal Water then...
- Rydal Water now. Changes in vegetation have created a different view.
- Rydal Water then...
- St Johns in the Vale then...
- St Johns in the Vale now. The flower-rich hay meadow has been replaced by improved grassland.
- West End Farm, Steel End circa 1940s.
- West End Farm, Steel End now. Traces of the banking can be seen but the rest has reverted to pasture.
- Waterhead, Ambleside circa 1940s.
- Waterhead, Ambleside now. Houses have developed where farmland once stood.