Fellbarrow and Low Fell

Dates : 1st May 2025
Wainwright's : Fellbarrow (416m), Low Fell (423m)
Start / Finish : Thackthwaite
Distance : 5.5 Miles
Height Gained : 1342 Feet
Time Taken : 3 Hours

The Route : Anti-Clockwise from Godferhead

This was a 2 day trip, long planned and much anticipated. The plan was to take the camper van up to the Buttermere & Crummock Water region with the aim of climbing my last 4 Wainwright Fells. This blog post describes day 1 (Fellbarrow and Low Fell). The next blog post describes day 2 (Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks). A video of the whole 2 day hike can be seen below.

The forecast was a warm one. In fact today was supposed to be the hottest day in the UK so far this year. Thankfully the bulk of the warm weather was south of the midlands but even so, I left it late for the hike today in order to avoid getting too hot and sweaty. So I left Preston at 1pm with the intention of starting the walk at about 3pm. It's a vintage van so 60mph is about as fast I can go! 

I parked the van in the lovely quiet village of Thackthwaite and then headed up an unusual path up into the fells. The path runs a straight course up to the flanks of Sourfoot Fell and is lined with Oak Trees planted at regular intervals which appear to be a few hundred years old. In years gone by this must have been an important avenue but the reasons for its existence are unclear to me. It terminates at the base of the fells where nothing of any obvious importance resides (now). 

Whiteside and Grasmoor from Thackthwaite

The 'Avenue' to the fells by Galloway Farm

The path then bears right, crosses the upper reaches or Meregill Beck and then follows a dry stone wall before vearing off to approach Fellbarrow from the North. The summit is adorned with a fine trig point and has uninterupted views over the Solway Firth to Scotland.

Fellbarrow Summit View South towards Low Fell

It's then a case of following a good path in a southerly direction onto Low Fell. No such trig point here, just a pile of stones but the views are superb. From here you can see the whole of Crummock Water and the Buttermere Valley. In fact the only area nearby area of interest missing from the panorama is Loweswater, something cured by a short walk onto neighbouring fell top 'Bield'.

Low Fell Summit View over Crummock Water

Bield View over Loweswater

Stunning Views from the Descent to Thackthwaite

I then headed down and back to the camper van. Overnight 'road' parking is prohibited in the Lake District but you wouldn't think so as there are so many motor homes and camper vans clearly parked up for the night along the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere. For me, that's just taking the piss. I think if you're going to stay for a night on a public road in the Lakes then at least be discrete and look for somewhere out of sight and off the beaten track. Just stay 1 night and leave the area exactly as you found it. And if you do get asked to move on then do so without argument. And so that's exactly what I did. 

Parked up for the Night

The following morning I moved the van to the Gatesgarth car park at the south end of Buttermere, ready for my final 2 Wainwright Fells.