Lake District Walks : Holm Fell 

Thank you. I hope you have an enjoyable walkand get some great pictures. One problem that you may encounter is the lack of a clear path on the fellside. The paths on the fell have never been very clear, but since the pandemic they seem to have disappeared, I think due to lack of use. A good friend of mine reported that last October half term she noted that the narrow path higher up the fell was virtually non existent. She saw no other walkers whilst on the fellside. This does not mean that it is not walkable of course, but that a good pair of waterproof boots are essential as the ground off path can be boggy.

Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoy them

Thank you.

It is usually quiet, once you are off the road to Hodge Close!

I'm glad you enjoyed the walk. As you say, it is not high, but it is well situated.

Thank you Stephen

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. One of the reasons I started making videos was because I knew people who could no longer get up the fells, but love the scenery. The newness has worn off my knees as well. I get a bit of pain coming down steep slopes nowadays, so I have a good deal of sympathy with everyone for whom climbing the fells is no longer possible. My grandmother used to say that she didn't crave money or fame, but would love a cure for old age, bless her. Hope you are enjoying the flat walks, some of them are quite stunning.

Thank you. I've always loved Holme Fell, such a pleasing little afternoon walk with lovely views in all directions. Having walked the fells for almost 50 years, I am convinced that it has more wildlife than any other, the problem being that most of it is tiny and bites! This time of year it is ideal as the mossies are not too bad. Glad you enjoyed it, and that the video helped to bring back the memories.

Thank you. I've always liked resting beside a tarn. Tried to get a shot of a fish jumping, there had been one as I was setting up the camera, but clearly knew what I was up to and stayed out of sight until I left. Would have been the perfect shot to end a lovely day.

@@jonathancraigguides that would have been great ! Still really enjoyable thank you

Thank you

Thank you Mary. I thoroughly enjoy making them. I just wish the weather would cheer up a bit as I like clear day with good views, and this year all of those seem to have been when I have had to work. Maybe I should give up the day job!

Fell ponies on the northern fells are one of the joys of that region. I haven't seen sheep on Holme Fell since before the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, but as you say, there are often cattle roaming the fell. How high they go seems to be dependent on the wetness underfoot.

Thank you.

Thank you Alan. It is a lovely little fell. Only problem I had was the weather. Glorious sunny day, a bit of cloud, but what cloud there was seemed to follow me around and I found myself in shade for a lot of the time. I gave up waiting for it as it was determined not to move!

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the walk. I haven't stopped posting, but, as with all things when you get older, I have slowed down somewhat. My last video was published last October, and my next one is currently in production. Also, I tend to like to cover walks and areas that other producers do not bother with. Compare the number of videos featuring Striding Edge and Helvellyn, with those featuring Holme Fell. As anyone who knows me well will testify, I like to be a little bit different. Take care and all the best.

Thank you for watching Steve.

Thank you. I tend to enjoy making them.

Thank you Ian. Comments like yours inspire me to get out with my camera as often as possible.

I hope you enjoy it. Pick a fine clear day. If you go in the evening make sure you are protected against the widllfe - those midges sure know how to bite!

Thank you. I wildcamped on Holm Fell many many years ago, and got bitten to bits. I think the boggy bits are an entomologists delight. I made the mistake of pitching my tent out of the wind, where the ground was a bit softer as it is quite rocky on the tops. Wherever you go, have a great time.

jonathancraigguides everyone being bit all over the lakes at the mo, cracking place to go is around Langstrath, "The Hidden Cave" if you have ever done it, I imagine you have .

Think you mean Woof Cave. Not easy to find, but when you do it is a lot better than The Priest Hole on Dove Crag, as it is a lot clearer inside. Not putting it on National TV at peak viewing, as the BBC did with the Priest Hole, is the key to its secrecy. Christian Rouse did an excellent little film of it last year. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JpGoLheotr8.html

jonathancraigguides didn't want to say wood cave as it gives away location

Even if you know what you are looking for it is really hard to find. Much easier to take a tent!

Thank you George. I've been up a couple of times this year, and also noticed the cows, but my walking partner noted the lack of droppings higher up. You are absolutely right about the excuse to do it again. I've done it after heavy rain and would have been better served if I'd been dressed like a fisherman in waders! Glad you enjoyed the walk, take care, Eric.

Thank you Mike. That is very kind of you. I was quite sad at the end of the filming as I genuinely had seen no one else on the fell. Yet the weather was glorious, if a bit cold for the time of year.

It is a super little walk, and can be included with a trip to Tarn Hows, or even Black Crag, to make a super day out.

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. It was great fun to do.

Thank you. I don't think you can see Holm Fell from White Cross Bay. Claife Heights gets in the way. You may be able to see part of Black Fell, of which Black Crag is the summit. You should be able to see Latterbarrow from White Cross Bay, as you can see the jetties at White Cross from the top. I've published videos of both Black Crag and Latterbarrow for you to compare notes.

@@jonathancraigguides Cam I send you a photo as the fell iam talking about is to the left of Black fell and behind it from White Cross Bay and about the same height. Kevin

@@kevinthompson9635 You can, but I'm not sure that it will answer the question. Holm Fell is west of White Cross Bay, and Tom Heights is in between them. Although not as high as Holm Fell, Tom Heights is probably high enough to obscure it. One of the reasons that Windermere is not visible from Holm Fell is that Tom Heights gets in the way. Anyway please feel free to e mail a picture to lakelandwalker65@gmail.com

Thank you. It was a lovely day, which makes it so much easier.

Thank you. I also like to go over the winter, when the bracken has died back, and the insects are sleeping. But it is the heather that I most love about it. I expected to meet at least one or two folk on my filming day, but I had the fell all to myself.

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. One day I'll come to a gate and have to climb over it. I think it is a sign of old age setting in! You are spot on, it is a hidden gem. Ironically, the most people I have ever seen up there was one bright and breezy Sunday at the beginning of December. I think quite a few regular fell walkers leave it for winter.

I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I tend to do Holme Fell when the rest of the Coniston fells are really busy. There never seems to be many folk there, and as you say, wonderful views from the top. Fear not, another video on the way very shortly.

Peace and quiet virtually guaranteed. It has been like that for many years, and long may it continue.

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Due to the wetter weather, the insects seem to have been quite prevailent this Autuumn. They were still biting in the third week of September! The heather this year was wonderful, which makes me wonder if the wetter weather has a positive effect in that respect. Fear not, I can take an extra visit each year on your behalf.

Thank you, I might try one day but with my socks up over trousers bottoms, they seem to love my ankles.. ;)

Thank you Andy. I've some spare time next week, so praying for half decent weather to make another one before the end of August.

Thank you Shirley. No, I haven't done one of Place Fell yet, but it is on my list. It is one of my favourites, but I haven't walked it for some time, certainly not since my wife fell ill in 2011.

Thank you Madelaine. Strictly speaking, there are no areas around Holm Fell where you can legally wild camp, however, many people do. The point about wild camping is that it is at the discretion of the land owner, however, although some land owners discourage it, very few, if any, take action against those who wild camp. The most common wild camping activity seems to be in the woods to the south of Hodge Close quarry, just to the north of the fell. I have also come across folk wild camping on the eastern side, close to what is known as Uskdale Gap, as well as around Yew Tree Tarn. The National Trust have erected no camping signs in this area. I think what would put me off in addition to the landowner, are the midges and the like, which are plentiful. In addition, despite it being boggy, some parts have a lack of good clean water. Whatever you chose, stay safe.

Thank you:)

Thank you. A nice idea, which of course comes down to timing and the overall pace of the video. Thanks for your input.