Countrystride #35: THE CHILDREN'S LITERATURE OF LAKELAND

...in which we take a nostalgia-laced wander through the children’s literature of Lakeland with University of Cumbria’s Dr Penny Bradshaw. On a balmy Black Crag circular with majestic views of iconic locations in fiction – from Arthur Ransome’s Coniston Water to Marjorie Lloyd’s 'Fell Farm' – we consider the legacy of Wordsworth and his vision of childhood, unpick the strands that made Beatrix Potter’s work unique, discuss why literature from the county casts such an enduring spell and hear how a wartime evacuation from the Manchester slums lies behind Penny’s own love of the Lakes.

• You can follow Penny on Twitter at twitter.com/drpennybradshaw

Low Arnside Farm.

Dave and Penny at the start of the walk.

Penny at Iron Keld.

Heather-clad Holme Fell from the Cumbria Way as we ascend Black Crag.

'Fell Farm' and the Langdales beyond, from Black Crag.

Penny takes the mic at Journey's End.

Dr Penny Bradshaw.

Penny on a rock at Rydal talking about Wordsworth to international students.

Our route for the day.