Devoke Water

Devoke Water is situated on Birker Fell, between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley. Lying at 240m high, it is one of the Lake District's highest tarns and at over 1km long, it is also the largest, being larger than the smallest lake. The name may possibly derive from the Ancient British word 'dubaco' meaning the dark one.

The tarn can be reached via a bridle track from the fell road. A solitary two-storey stone boathouse and a ruined stable are the only signs of human activity.

The trout which inhabit the tarn have gained the reputation of being the most radioactive freshwater fish in all of England. Black Beck flows out of Devoke Water and cascades down rocks along its journey to the River Esk. The path around the tarn offers good views of the fells at the head of Wasdale, Eskdale and out to the Irish Sea beyond.

3,000 years ago the surrounding windswept fells were forested with oak, but they were felled long since for sheep grazing. The area was once a large bronze age community. Over 400 hut circles have to date been discovered, in all there are more than 1,200 prehistoric remains in the area.