Devoke Water

Devoke Water, sitting at 770 feet on Birker Fell, is one of Cumbria's highest tarns. At almost a mile in length, it is also one of its largest. The tarn itself has nothing to recommend it, being situated in a rather desolate and isolated landscape.

The trout that inhabit Devoke's 46-foot deep waters have the reputation of being the most radioactive freshwater fish in all of England. A stream, Black Beck, flows out of the tarn and cascades 26 feet on its way to the River Esk.

The name 'Devoke' may be from the Old Welsh 'dubaco' that means 'the dark one'. The fellside where it lies is scattered with more than 1200 prehistoric remains. Today, a deserted lodge/boathouse is the only sign of human habitation around the tarn.

Devoke Water on the Birker Moor road between Eskdale and Ulpha, reached by bridle track.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Leaney

Back to Tarns

© 1997-2008 by The Cumbria Directory. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from The Cumbria Directory is prohibited.