Smithymire Island, Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Rosthwaite to Grasmere subsection
View of Smithymire Island at the watersmeet of Greenup Gill and Langstrath Beck — where the Stonethwaite Beck begins on the Coast to Coast path.
Smithymire Island, Stonethwaite - Coast to Coast
Smithymire Island is a small, low-lying, rocky promontory covered in rough grass and scrub at the confluence of Greenup Gill and Langstrath Beck, where their waters unite to form the Stonethwaite Beck. The Coast to Coast path passes close by, offering fine views over the surrounding floodplain and its tangle of channels. An ancient bloomery site is long known here, and more recent surveys have revealed the remains of a second iron-smelting bloomery — evidence of medieval industry in the heart of Borrowdale.
Smithymire Island Stonethwaite Beck
At the watersmeet of Greenup Gill and Langstrath Beck—where the Stonethwaite Beck begins—Smithymire Island forms a low, grassy promontory beside the Coast to Coast path. This corner of riverbank is the proven site of two medieval iron bloomeries, evidence of Borrowdale’s early industry amid today’s tranquil scenery.
Smithymire Island Langstrath Beck
Viewed from the north-east riverbank, Smithymire Island lies at the confluence where Langstrath Beck meets Greenup Gill to create the Stonethwaite Beck. The low rise of the island and its lush riverside vegetation frame one of Borrowdale’s most serene and historically significant watersmeet points.
Smithymire Channel Langstrath Beck
A slender offshoot of Langstrath Beck winds across the small islet, cutting through the river’s edge to create a small channel that isolates Smithymire Island from the main bank. In spate, the channel deepens and widens—reminding visitors that this tranquil confluence remains a place shaped by shifting water.
Smithymire Bloomeries
A bloomery was a primitive iron-smelting furnace, and two such examples survive on Smithymire Island. These ancient sites appear today as low, grass-covered mounds concealing slag, clinker, and fused stone—each positioned with an open face toward Stonethwaite Beck to draw air through the fire. Circular in plan, the bloomeries measured around 12 m in diameter and stood just over 1 m high, marking Borrowdale’s early role in Lakeland’s iron-working history.
Hiking the Coast to Coast trail guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast is a digitally enhanced eBook designed to accompany you on your journey along the Coast to Coast path. Available on Apple Books for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the guide includes:
• Mapping with interactive features
• Step-by-step route directions
• Hundreds of colour photographs
• Route conditions in different weather
• Historical and cultural points of interest
Whether you’re planning your trip or already on the trail, it’s a practical and beautifully illustrated resource to carry with you.
