Grizedale
Encyclopedia
Grizedale is a hamlet
in the Lake District
of England
, in the middle of the Grizedale Forest
, located north of Satterthwaite
and south of Hawkshead
. It is part of the civil parish
of Satterthwaite.
There is a large visitors' centre Attractions include extensive mountain bike trails and one of the Go Ape
company's tree-top adventure courses.
It used to be the home of Grizedale Arts
, a contemporary arts residency and commissioning agency. The forest is still notable for its sculptures.
Grizedale is the location of the former Grizedale Hall – a forty-room mansion that was demolished in 1957. Before and after World War II
, it was owned by the Forestry Commission
. During the war, it was commandeered by the War Office and became officially known as No 1 POW Camp (Officers) Grizedale Hall, to hold German, officer, prisoners of war. As many of these were rescued survivors from sunken U-boats, it also became known as the "U-Boat Hotel". The fighter pilot Franz von Werra
was initially held there, and also made one of the many escape attempts for which he is known. Another well-known prisoner was Otto Kretschmer
, Germany's most successful U-boat captain until his capture.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in the middle of the Grizedale Forest
Grizedale Forest
Grizedale Forest is a 24.47 km² area of woodland in the Lake District of North West England, located to the east of Coniston Water and to the south of Hawkshead. It comprises a number of hills, small tarns and the settlements of Grizedale and Satterthwaite...
, located north of Satterthwaite
Satterthwaite
Satterthwaite is a small village with around 50 dwellings situated in Grizedale, a valley in the Lake District, England, about four miles south of Hawkshead. It has a church, All Saints', and a Parish Room. The civil parish of Satterthwaite has its own community website.-External links:***...
and south of Hawkshead
Hawkshead
Hawkshead is a village and civil parish in the Cumbria, England. It is one of the main tourist honeypots in the South Lakeland area, and is dependent on the local tourist trade...
. It is part of the civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of Satterthwaite.
There is a large visitors' centre Attractions include extensive mountain bike trails and one of the Go Ape
Go Ape
Go Ape Ltd. is an outdoor pursuits company which runs 26 high wire adventure courses in forests in England, Scotland and Wales consisting of rope ladders, zip-lines, rope bridges, trapezes and swings...
company's tree-top adventure courses.
It used to be the home of Grizedale Arts
Grizedale Arts
Grizedale Arts is a contemporary arts residency and commissioning agency in the central Lake District in rural Northern England. It conducts cultural projects locally, nationally and internationally...
, a contemporary arts residency and commissioning agency. The forest is still notable for its sculptures.
Grizedale is the location of the former Grizedale Hall – a forty-room mansion that was demolished in 1957. Before and after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was owned by the Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
. During the war, it was commandeered by the War Office and became officially known as No 1 POW Camp (Officers) Grizedale Hall, to hold German, officer, prisoners of war. As many of these were rescued survivors from sunken U-boats, it also became known as the "U-Boat Hotel". The fighter pilot Franz von Werra
Franz von Werra
Franz Xaver Baron von Werra was a German World War II fighter pilot and flying ace who was shot down over England and captured...
was initially held there, and also made one of the many escape attempts for which he is known. Another well-known prisoner was Otto Kretschmer
Otto Kretschmer
Flotilla Admiral Otto Kretschmer was a German U-boat commander in the Second World War and later an admiral in the Bundesmarine. From September 1939 until being captured in March 1941, he sank 47 ships, a total of 274,333 tons. For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak...
, Germany's most successful U-boat captain until his capture.