Allan Tarn

Allan Tarn in the Crake Valley

Allan Tarn is a little lake in a broad valley amongst the Furness Fells of Lancashire, within the Lake District. It lies just south of Coniston Water, on the course of the River Crake which runs out of the foot of Coniston just a few hundred yards above Allan Tarn. The land surrounding the tarn is part of the long, green valley in which Coniston Water lies.

The tarn inspired a scene in Arthur Ransome's famous children's book Swallows and Amazons, in which the Swallows sail a little way up the 'Amazon River' to a lake filled with water lilies, which they name Octopus Lagoon.

Outside links

• Location map: 54°17’43"N, 3°5’21"W
• Streetmap: SD292893
• Allan Tarn on 'Lakes, Meres, Tarns and Waters'