Binsey - Friday 5 June 2020
Route
Binsey Lodge - Binsey - Binsey Lodge
Parking
Verge parking area for a few cars near Binsey Lodge on Fell End - Grid Reference NY23563511. Nearest postcode is CA7 1HQ.
Mileage
2 miles
Terrain
A big wide grassy path - there and back.
Weather
Breezy with sunshine & excellent visibility.
Time Taken
1hr
Total Ascent
610ft (186m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Binsey Lodge - Binsey - Binsey Lodge
Parking
Verge parking area for a few cars near Binsey Lodge on Fell End - Grid Reference NY23563511. Nearest postcode is CA7 1HQ.
Mileage
2 miles
Terrain
A big wide grassy path - there and back.
Weather
Breezy with sunshine & excellent visibility.
Time Taken
1hr
Total Ascent
610ft (186m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
GPX File
If the above GPX file fails to download or presents itself as an XML file once downloaded then please feel free to contact me and I will send you the GPX file via e-mail.
Route Map
Binsey Lodge at the eastern end of the Fell End Road. The parking area is a few yards to the left.
As can be seen from Wainwright's drawing of Binsey Lodge (Binsey 5), not much has changed in the 60 or so years since he put pen to paper.
The parking area looking towards Binsey Lodge.
There is room for about 8 or so cars providing they are sensibly parked.
There is room for about 8 or so cars providing they are sensibly parked.
From the parking area a gate leads directly on to the open fell side.
A wide grassy swathe heads up the fell side on a gentle incline
Remember to look back whilst making the ascent or you would miss this magnificent view of the Skiddaw Range.
From l-r - Little Calva, the Dash Valley, Bakestall, Skiddaw, Carl Side, Long Side & Ullock Pike
From l-r - Little Calva, the Dash Valley, Bakestall, Skiddaw, Carl Side, Long Side & Ullock Pike
The North Western Fells over Bassenthwaite Lake
The body of water to the centre left is Over Water.
The group of hills behind are known as the Uldale Fells or "the back o' Skidda"
The group of hills behind are known as the Uldale Fells or "the back o' Skidda"
Fudge depresses his doggy clutch and goes into "trundle" gear
All too soon the summit of Binsey is reached.
The summit is marked by an OS Trig Point beside a Prehistoric Tumulus. There is also the east cairn (this one) and another a 100 yards or so to the west.
The summit is marked by an OS Trig Point beside a Prehistoric Tumulus. There is also the east cairn (this one) and another a 100 yards or so to the west.
The Prehistoric Tumulus on the summit of Binsey
"Come on then, I'm waiting - lift me up!"
The view looks to the Solway Firth with Criffel clearly visible left of centre.
The view looks to the Solway Firth with Criffel clearly visible left of centre.
For such little effort, Binsey gives commanding views in all directions. Wainwright said of Binsey (Binsey 2) -
"Binsey is the odd man out. This gentle hill rises beyond the circular perimeter of the Northern Fells, detached and solitary, like a dunce set apart from the class. Binsey occupies the extreme north west corner of the Lake District. Beyond the coastal plain, then the sea, then Scotland; nothing intervenes to interrupt this sweeping panorama. What a domain, and what a throne to view it from!"
"Binsey is the odd man out. This gentle hill rises beyond the circular perimeter of the Northern Fells, detached and solitary, like a dunce set apart from the class. Binsey occupies the extreme north west corner of the Lake District. Beyond the coastal plain, then the sea, then Scotland; nothing intervenes to interrupt this sweeping panorama. What a domain, and what a throne to view it from!"
The summit of Binsey looking to the east cairn
The Back o'Skidda and the Skiddaw Range from Binsey
The west cairn on Binsey
Another view over Bassenthwaite Lake this time from the descent of Binsey
Another good stretch out for the "Fudgefellmeister"
Almost back down at the parking area - as can be seen it gets a bit windy up here