Exploring a Symphony of Greens in the Lake District

Green has been my favorite color since childhood. My mother said as a toddler I walked around finding green things and pointing to them saying “gween gween”. So I guess my love for green is in my DNA. I seem to gravitate to green clothing, green shoes, and more. Of course, there are specific shades that I love and they are the more yellow greens and gray greens. After arriving in the Lake District, I began to think about all the greens I was surrounded by and trying to come up with names for them. I even awoke from a dream thinking about the song from long ago called The Green Green Grass of Home.  And that afternoon after a hike through the woods, we stopped at The Badger Pub for a cold half pint when I heard the song being sung by Tom Jones. Freaky coincidence, don’t you think?

Ambleside—Chapel Stile country road and miles of stone fences.

The Lake District, with its rolling hills and majestic mountains, offers a masterclass in the color green. As a painter who mixes her green paint from various tubes in both cool and warm shades, I find it amazing to see the variety in the Lake District near Ambleside where we are staying. As we hiked the landscapes, we did not merely witness a single shade, but rather a rich tapestry of verdant hues that transformed with the weather and the light.

Ambleside—Elterwater Valley.

In mid spring, the hills appear subtle grey-green, reminding us of weeping willow leaves. This delicate shade carpets the lower slopes, creating a soft foundation for the beautiful sights to come.

Sheep grazing in the Lake District National Park.

As we  climbed higher in the fells, the emerald palette deepened. The middle elevations showcased the rich moss green that clung to ancient stone walls and fallen logs. This lush green appeared almost luminous against the darker backdrop of the fells.

Ambleside countryside with farm houses and green meadows.

The higher reaches of our hikes presented a more weathered appearance—olive green heather mingled with the fern green of bracken. These hardy plants survive the harshest Lake District conditions, their resilient greens standing tall against wind and rain.

Ambleside—Chapel Stile.

In protected valleys, the more vibrant kelly green of fields of ferns create stunning contrasts with the muted hues above.

Ambleside—Chapel Stile road through the farmlands.

Perhaps most magical is how these greens transform throughout the day. Morning brings with it a mango green glow as sunlight first catches the moist slopes. By midday, the full spectrum of greens is on display, and as evening approaches, the green tones deepen into something more mysterious.

The town of Ambleside nestled by fells of green.

Each shade of green in this remarkable place made us look more closely to discover the symphony of colors in the Lake District’s palette of greens.