Type
Lake
Area of origin
N England
Area of use
Scotland, NE England, NW England, Wales
A mountain pool or lake in a cirque (bowl shaped depression excavated by a glacier) although in places it is used to describe any upland lake. [Dr.J.T.]
Almost wholly confined to Cumbria in England. Tarn Wadling is clearly mentioned in the Arthurian Legends and in the 19C was thought to be imaginary but later research show it existed in old maps and was drained in the 18C. From time to time it reappears in very wet weather. [C.F.]
Etymology
Derived from Norse “tjörn” = pond. [Dr.J.T.]
Example locations
- Malham Tarn
Settle, North Yorkshire 
Talkin Tarn
Brampton, Cumbira
Entry contributors:
Dr. Julian Thompson, Chester Forster