Wasdale Corpse Road

As Wasdale had no church early in its history, the deceased had to be carried over the fells to Eskdale for internment, and this route became known as the corpse road. This is haunted by the ghost of a horse carrying the body of woman tied to it. Her son had died and whilst his body was being carried from Wasdale over the corpse road to Eskdale the horse carrying his body bolted and was lost in the mist. His mother died shortly after, never recovering from the loss of her son or that of his body. As she was being carried along the road the horse was lost in a snow storm and never seen again. Although the son’s body was subsequently found, the mother is left and haunts alone.

Wasdale sits at the foot of Scarfell which is the highest mountain in England. Wast Water is the deepest lake in England and Wasdale is also said to have the smallest church. As the popular lying competition is held at Wasdale Head, it is locally said that Wasdale has the highest mountain, deepest lake, smallest church and biggest liar.