Grange Fell, Cumberland
| Grange Fell | |||
| Cumberland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Grange Fell from Rosthwaite in Borrowdale | |||
| Range: | Lake District Central Fells | ||
| Summit: | 1,362 feet NY268172 54°32’40"N, 3°7’57"W | ||
Grange Fell is a small fell in the Lake District. It is in Cumberland, beside Borrowdale, one of the more famous valleys of the county, and overlooking the villages of Grange in Borrowdale and Rosthwaite.
Landscape
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The fell has a summit plateau which consist of many heather-covered hummocks, drystone walls and clumps of trees. Well-known Lake District writer Alfred Wainwright credits Grange Fell as a single fell with three main summits, namely Brund Fell, King's How and Ether Knott.[1]
- Ether Knott. (NY268172), 1,375 feet
- King's How (NY258167), 1,286 feet and
- Brund Fell (NY264162), 1,363 feet
Ether Knott is less well known but is now identified as the highest point of the fell, at 1,375 feet.[2] It is though less frequently visited by walkers. Brund Fell is at 1,363 feet.
King's How (NY258167) is the best viewpoint and has an altitude of 1,286 feet.
On the other hand, another Lakes walking expert Bill Birkett lists Brund Fell and King's How as separate fells in his “Complete Lakeland Fells” volume,[3] while Mark Richards includes all three.[4]
There are also two small hills on the fringes of the fell, both unfrequented although they lie on access land: Shepherds Crag (NY264185) above the more famous rockface of that name, adjacent to the Lodore Falls and Hotel, and Grange Crags above Grange.
History
Grange Fell is owned by the National Trust and was one of its first acquisitions in the Lake District in 1910; the fell was purchased by public subscription as a memorial to King Edward VII at the bequest of the King’s sister Princess Louise, who then was President of the Trust. The magnificent viewpoint of King's How was named after the King as a memorial, and a commemorative slate plaque is situated just below the summit. It reads:
- "In Loving Memory of King Edward VII, Grange Fell is dedicated by his sister Louise as a sanctuary of rest and peace. Here may all beings gather strength, find in scenes of beautiful nature a cause for gratitude and love to God, giving them courage and vigour to carry on his will."
Geology
The geology of the fell is complex with outcropping of various members of the Birker Fell Formation (andesite lavas), the Eagle Crag Member (siltstone and sandstone conglomerates), and intrusions of dolerite.[5]
Ascents
Ascents of Grange Fell can be started from Rosthwaite, Grange in Borrowdale or Watendlath. The Rosthwaite to Watendlath bridleway can be utilised to its highest point before striking northerly to the summit of Brund Fell following a high dry stone wall for much of the way. The climb from Grange goes through the picturesque deciduous woodland at the foot of the fell and skirts round Greatend Crag before reaching King's How and is ranked as one of the loveliest short walks in the Lake District. The two principal summits of Brund Fell and King's How should both be climbed by any visitor to the fell and they are linked by an undulating path through the hillocks.[1][3][4]
Summit
The main summit bears a number of rock tors, protruding sharply from the heathery plateau. King's How has a steep sided domed top. Both bear cairns. The view from the top of the fell is quite beautiful: King's How gives a classic view of Derwentwater with Skiddaw in the background, while Borrowdale and the high fells round its head show well in the opposite direction.[1][4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wainwright, Alfred: A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book Three — The Central Fells (1958)
- ↑ Ether Knott on the Database of British and Irish Hills
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bill Birkett: 'Complete Lakeland Fells' (Collins Willow, 1994) ISBN 0-00-713629-3
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mark Richards: 'The Central Fells': (Collins, 2003) ISBN 0-00-711365-X
- ↑ British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, England & Wales Sheet 29: BGS (1999)
