19/03/20 - Barf, Lord's Seat and Broom Fell - 3 Wainwrights

Distance - 6 Miles
Geocaches - 3
Walk Inspiration - Trail Magazine, Feb 2015, Walk 9


With pubs out of bounds, I need to find something else to tick off. A couple of unexpected days in Keswick and the answer is obvious - back onto the Wainwrights.

Leaving the family slumbering in the AirBnB, I head off early to knock off three easy ones on the western side of Bassenthwaite Lake.

Parking is available in a little car park opposite the former C17th coaching house, the Swan. Now apartments.

Would have been of limited use in Today's climate

The hard work - and it is hard work - is completed early in the walk.  It's steep climb alongside Beckstone's Gill and it involves a crossing where there is no bridge and some hands on scrambling.  The reward is increasingly lovely views of Bassenthwaite as you get your breath back.

Danger - falling rocks, slippy rocks.   Rocks in general

I've once again read the guidebook when I got home - so I missed out on Wainwrights loving description of the Bishop's Rock - apparently whitewashed by Keswick mountain rescue.

Barf provides the views - east over the lake and west to the next top to be peaked - Lords Seat.  It's an easy path and with the height gained, a doddle to walk.

Celebrating Geocaching Success

Nothing really on Lord's seat but a bit of old fence ironwork.  The route to Broom Fell is clear - its a there and back walk to get the tick but at least there is an impressive cairn and a bit of a shelter to rest at - if only I had packed a breakfast.

Broom Fell Summit Cairn and Shelter

My guide route wants me to head north into Kings Wood.  The target is obvious but no clear path and when I arrive at the woodland boundary - a new fence has been erected, with no obvious stiles to cross.  Still, there's no way I am going back up across the heather and its not barbed wire topped.

The forest roads within remain true to the OS Map and its a zig zag down to the road at Woodend Brow and a 1/2 mile of roadwalking back to the motor.

Kings Wood views of Bassenthwaite

A super walk for the time limited.