Date: 06-Mar-2010
Map: Landranger 89, 90, OL4
Weather: Overcast, with a bit of sun.
From the road near Caermote Roman fort
off the A591, up along a broad ridge through Whittas Park to
West Crag and the summit of Binsey. Returning by the same
route:
a gentle 4 miles there and back.
The walk
up to Binsey was part of my Wasdale weekend, and another
lone wainwright ticked off. I drove around via Gosforth and
Cockermouth, stopping for some sarnies in a small village.
It's a not often seen corner of the lakes, but it still has
good views around. After arriving in Wasdale on a Friday
night, nipping up to Wasdale Head for a quick peek, we
returned to The Santon Bridge Inn for some nosh. There is a
good deal on early in the year, especially if you get the
weather - 3 nights B&B for 2 people at £100. They make up
their money on meals and liquid refreshments. I'd decided on
ticking off a few of Wainwrights outlying fells and opted to
start off with Binsey, Wainwright's most northerly
hill. I often wondered why he chose some of these but I
guess it was for the views. After breakfast I nipped up to
Wasdale for a quick picture and then drove around the NE
corner of the Lake District to Binsey.
The old fireplace
Looking along the route to Binsey
Looking west to the Solway Firth in the distance
This was only a short
walk for this little Hill, and at 862ft it was a very easy
stroll. I didn't have any expectations as I wandered up this
farmland, but as with all walks it's what you see and
encounter on the way that makes it interesting. At the first
stop at the top of an initial climb was the remains of
a small building, probably a sheppards hut or for shooters.
It had the remains of a good fireplace - you could still
light one if you wanted as the chimney is still there.
Behind us we could pick out the outline of the Roman fort of
Caermote, with it's typical shape and layout marked out by
the reed beds growing there. Turning 90deg we could see the
route towards Binsey summit, which appeared to be a well
trodden route despite no path shown on the OS map I used. In
the near distance I could see a bunch of people and a couple
of vehicles on a grassy, prominent knoll - archaeologists I
bet and I was right. We came up a steeper slope to the small
knoll, where a mini 'Time Team' scene revealed itself. Some
of them were chattier than others and less reluctant to
divulge some information. The local 'real' archaeologist
stood back, trowel in hand and admired the views. It didn't
look much of a stone circle, more like wishful thinking, and
looking back from higher up I thought it looked more like an
outcrop of rock - so it was natural for me with random
boulders.
A view towards Skiddaw, Bassenthwaite and the Derwent Fells
The 'stone circle'?
Looking back down to the mound and the archaeologists
After the 'stone circle' the route was clear and
could be seen as a dark line ascending through the rough
pasture and heather. One hurdle to cross was the obvious
gate in the wall, which was chained up and locked,
presumably by the land owner who didn't want the great
unwashed tramping across his land. The solution for this
appeared to be lifting the gate off it's hinges, and
replacing it of course. As we gently ascended to the summit
there were views down Bassenthwaite to the Derwent Fells
under moody skies, scattered sunshine lighting the hillside.
Skiddaw was glimpsed up ahead with its dusting of snow, and
behind were views up to the Solway Firth and Scotland
beyond. feel exposed up here on this small hill - Northern
exposure I guess.
The steeper bit up to Binsey
a zoomed in shot towards the Derwent Fells - Catbells is the
small pointy one
Binsey summit trig point
The final pull up to the summit was a
little steeper, but quite gentle really, and then at the top
was the trig point with uninterrupted views across to Skiddaw. The views are the key as to why Wainwright chose
this as one of his fells, and views there are - a different
aspect of Skiddaw and down to the Derwent Fells. We sat down
at the top and had a windblown lunch in the summit shelter -
it was quite busy as it was the weekend. Then it was just a
case of retracing our steps back down the hillside to the
car. We nipped over to St Bees Head to see what all the fuss
is about the C2C - at least I know why most people start
there now. That was Binsey a pleasant little fell.
dramatic skies above Skiddaw
looking back on my way down
Grisedale Pike is the snowy peak
Where now:
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