Lake District Walks : Lunch at Low Fell 

As I've often said, the best views do not always require the most effort to reach.

Thank you. It is, as you say, a stunning location, with beautiful views. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Thank you. I've always felt that it is never terribly busy as it is just of the beaten track. Buttermere can be packed, and yet just a short distance away, there is virtually nobody. Glad you enjoyed the video, and love the view in real life.

@@jonathancraigguides Absolutely!! But the few times we've been up, we always start from Thackthwaite and I think we settle down on Watching Crag for lunch thinking that is the best view in the world - but your way and destination look even better! Can't wait for our next holiday when we will try your way at the FIRST opportunity!! Thanks again and keep well 👍

Let us know which you prefer. I've been up from Thackthwaite a couple of times, and I also spent a very pleasant afternoon on Darling Fell. Note that the route on the video is not clearly shown on the OS maps, although it is quite clear on the ground. There are two paths on to the fell from the Mosser Road, the first one being a path that, according to the map, runs straight up on to Darling Fell, however, although it has a public footpath signpost it is not the one on the video. The one on the video is further down the road, and can be identified by the seat close by. The gate is usually locked, and there is no sign, but it is a wide path which runs past an old quarry. If you do take the first path, you will find that on the ground it does not follow the route shown on the map, it bears left to follow the wall around the field before climbing the fell, and is not easy to pick out. Whichever way you go, enjoy it.

@@jonathancraigguides Well many thanks for the info. I'll bear all that in mind. That was a great fact about the water flow from Loweswater by the way! I'd never heard that fact before. I look forward to impressing someone else with that one!! 👍👍👍

Thank you, from a wet and windy Cumbria. Cannot wait to enjoy some warm sunshine. Perfect for a leisurely stroll to one of the many glorious lunch stops that we have.

Thank you.

Thank you. Many people visit Buttermere and Crummock Water, so Low Fell is never busy, despite the stunning views.

You are in good company. I fell in love with Loweswater on my first visit, a lot of years ago now, and I have been returning regularly ever since. We did the walk you outlined about a month ago, although I didn't video it, but it is on my list. Did you visit Holme Force? It is a delightful little waterfall in the woods, always a pleasure to spend some time beside it. We also went up to High Nook Tarn, which I always think is so very peaceful. Glad you enjoyed it.

It would be lovely if you could video a walk of that route. I didn't visit Holme Force for some bizarre reason. I can't believe I missed it.

Glad you enjoyed it. I agree about the stretch after the beck. It doesn't look as steep on camera as in real life, but thankfully it is not too long a climb. I've had a few windy days on the top of Darling Fell. I've found it best to avoid days when the wind is coming from the North West.

Thankk you. I always think that the lower level views are every bit as good as the higher level ones. This one is really special, and never busy as it is just off the beaten track.

Thank you.

Thank you. I just like to share my enjoyment of the region. The very first time I had lunch in that seat many years ago, I really did not want to leave. I had good food, good company, a stunning view and wonderful weather. It made me feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

Sounds like a wonderful experience. I have to admit that I have not seen fell ponies on Low Fell, but did once see a small grazing herd on the other side of Loweswater, around Blake Fell. I think it is wonderful that we still have fell ponies. They are such friendly creatures, and part of the rich heritage of the Lake District fells.

@@jonathancraigguides I have no idea where they came from but were very friendly and followed all the way to fellbarrow. Off to stay in Elterwater for a few days, Recommend any nice walks pal?

@@HENRYHOBBS1 That depends whether you want to go high or low. Elterwater to Slaters Bridge, calling in to see Cathedral Cave on the return, is a good low level winter walk. Also Elterwater to the summit of Loughrigg via Loughrigg Tarn, returning via Loughrigg Terrace is a good all day walk for winter. If you fancy being a bit more adventurous, Elterwater to Silver Howe, then along the ridge to Stickle Tarn and then down to the New Dungeon Ghyll is a good medium level walk.

@@jonathancraigguides thanks

Thank you. I'm pleased you are enjoying them. They are great fun to do.

I keep thinking that I might well write the definitive guide book on lunch seats in the Lake District. This one will be amongst the front runners for the best.

Yes, very well thank you. That round of Fellbarrow and Low Fell from Thackthwaite is, I think, one of the delights of Lakeland, especially for the old and very young. Not high or demanding, but up and down like a small roller coaster, and the views are wonderful. I also love the way that the fell is divided up by old wire fences, creaky low wooden stiles, and, if it is still there, an old gate hanging on two posts but with no fence either side of it.

Thank you. I always think that it is one that many fell walkers ignore because it is not high enough, and most 'tourists' ignore because it is too high. But if great views and peace and quiet are your thing, it is almost perfect.

@@jonathancraigguides remember the picnic and flask another great walk

Thank you. It is starting to look very autumnal. A real nip in the air tonight. Hope you have a great week.

Thank you. You are going to do some extra miles then, as I have recently been planning my filming schedule for this year, and there are plenty of locations to cover. The only problem I have is fitting them in around work commitments and the weather. After a busy winter, I cannot wait to get back out again.

Thank you Andy. It is a lovely little fell in a very beautiful part of the Lake District.

Thank you. That view of Loweswater is worth the drive over and short walk up. The bit after the stream is short but steeper than it looks on the video, but the views are oh so worth it.

Thank you. The area around Loweswater has always been a personal favourite of mine. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you Gary. It is a lovely little fell.

It is a lovely little fell, and by what people are telling me, there are plenty yet to discover it. Mellbreak, the fell overlooking Crummock Water is another that is seldom visited, I think due to it being surrounded by boggy ground. Hope you manage to get there and enjoy it for real.

Thank you Mary. The views are there forever, but the sunshine has been so fleeting. Maybe we'll have a cold, dry, sunny winter. (all fingers are firmly crossed!)

Thank you Andy. I'm struggling to do one a month at the moment, but I thoroughly enjoyed doing this one. I must be one of the very few able bodied people who can take all day just to walk 2 and half miles!!

Thank you. Over the years the quality of the views from Low Fell has surprised many fellwalkers. That low level view of Loweswater from the old Mosser Road is simply stunning. The thing is, it is not unique in this respect. There are a number of quiet tracks with stunning views, so watch this space!!

jonathancraigguides I am watching.. totally hooked.. ;)

Thank you Alan. I think this is one you will love. I only did the Southern top, there's a lovely 2 mile ridge, two or three individual summits, and on a really clear day even a great view of the Dumfries and Galloway fells. Only problem is that it is in the far west of the Lakes, so not as easy to reach.

Thank you. I was in Bedforshire last year and during a conversation at the supermarket checkout a lady asked me where the Lake District was and what was so special about it. I showed her a couple of pictures on my mobile phone, and she said it wasn't anywhere she'd like because there were no shops and people and too many hills! My mother suggested that all the people who don't like the hills should move south, so that all those who love them could move further north. An interesting solution to a common problem.

Thank you. It is never busy there. I only saw two other people on the fell all day.

Thank you. A happy and healthy New Year to you too. I am looking forward to a few days this winter with clear blue skies and a bit of snow to really show the beauty of the landscape this Winter.

We look forward to seeing them. 😊

jonathancraigguides }.)

Hello Clive and Petra. It sounds to me as though you have had a wonderful holiday. The weather seems to have played its part, which always helps. I really glad that you experienced the joys of this walk for yourselves. Your reaction, and comment, kind of inspires me to make the extra effort to get back out onto the fells as soon as my other commitments will allow. Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to tell me of your adventures. I hope you can return to see more of this beautiful part of the world. Once again, many thanks for telling me about your adventures. Atb Eric Worsley

Thank you Jim. It is a little belter, and can be extended for a full day. Hope you enjoy it. Take care, Eric

Thank you. It is, as you say, scrumptious. (I should have used that word on my video!). Hope you enjoy it when you get up there.

haha... you are just fine as you are! Very engaging and fun. :-)

Thank you Carolyn. It is a little bit further for those in the central lakes, but the scenery is certainly amongst the best. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you Del. The track from the gate, (which is always locked, so the stile has to be used) is wide early on, but gets narrower as it skirts the fell, and is only wide enough to walk in single file in the latter stages. Once you reach the stream, beside which is a fence, then simply follow the path that runs beside the fence, not wide but visible. At the top is a stile with a wide track leading left and a clear path leading right, which is the one you want.

Thank you. It was a lovely little video to do. Once again the parking space at the western end of Lowewater was empty, although Maggies Bridge car park was quite full for some reason. We were actually over that way last Sunday, to enjoy a lazy day on Rannerdale Knotts. A lot more people up there, but still not crowded. As for lunch, well, there are a few lunch seats that are similar, but I cannot think of one better. Maybe I should write a book - The definitive guide to Lake District Lunch Seats. The research for that would be divine. Take care and looking forward to your next production. Eric

although it's nice to see people it's lovely to have a fell to yourself :-)

It is. My trouble is that if I see people I like to stop and chat, and if I'm shooting a video that can really mess things up. I've been known to average less than 5 miles a day, but I have met some lovely people while out and about.

From Windermere, take the A591 to Keswick, then by pass Keswick by taking the A66 towards Cockermouth. Turn left when you reach the turning for Braithwaite, and take the B5292 over Whinlatter Pass, to the village of High Lorton. Turn left at High Lorton and take the B5289 towards Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater. Just before you reach the hamlet of Brackenthwaite, ignore the left turn for Crummock Water and Buttermere (a continuation of the B5289) and continue along towards Loweswater. Do not turn left into the village of Loweswater, or, a little further on, the left turn towards Maggies Bridge car park, but continue on along the road that skirts the shore of Loweswater. Trees line the road, so views of the lake from this road are spasmodic. There are two small roadside car parks on the left, one before the end of the lake is reached, and another a little further on, identified by the presence of an old telephone box. This second car park is the best choice. On the opposite side of the road there is a narrow lane running up the fellside towards two houses, named Miresyke and Askill. When you pass the first house, (Miresyke) the path veers to the right of the access road and heads up the hill to a gate that leads onto Mosser Lane, which was once a surfaced road but it now a rough track. The gate is where the opening sequence of the video was shot. Turn right here to walk down the track, with cracking views to your right over the lake, until you reach a gate close to a seat on your left hand side. Note that there is no footpath sign here, however a little before this gate is a stile on the right leading to a footpath up onto Darling Fell. This is not the footpath on the video, but is worth taking on a good day, however, the climb is quite steep for such a small fell. Climb the gate, which is usually locked and follow the track up the fellside. Pick a fine day, the views are superb. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you so much for the info much appreciated 😊

@@jonathancraigguides thank you so much for info much appreciated 😊

Thank you Ian. Before I shoot the video, I do quite a lot of research. I've been walking in the Lakes for over 40 years, so have built up a lot of local knowledge over the years, but even now I am surprised at the new things I learn when researching my videos. The maps are created using a desk top publishing application that I used originally for designing hotel newsletters in a previous employment. There are actually over 40 individual images in the sequence, each one a little different from the last. It is an unconventional way of doing it, but it works.

Jeepers, that's a great deal of work you put in just to put a smile on a strangers face for a few minutes. I really appreciate your work and your videos :o)

Hobbies are like that!

Thank you. I also have a lot fun!

I'm probably not the best person to ask, as I tend to be a bit traditional where navigation is concerned. I do use a couple of apps, but a good old fashioned paper map and compass is always in my rucksack. That having been said, I have used the OS maps app a number of times. It is not free (£24 a year subscription, better known as about 50p a week!) but it gives you landranger and explorer maps for the whole of Great Britain. I also have an app called Outdoor Active that a friend of mine uses and absolutely swears by. I did use it one day whilst out on the fells near Windermere, just to see how it performed, and it seemed OK but I have to say it really wasn't an extensive test. As for the OS map, well it is not just a map. It has a couple of other features such as 3D and a rather clever mode that allows you to look at the skyline and identify the mountains on view in the distance. Plus you can download the map you want to have offline so if you lose a signal you still have a map, and you can also print out copies of the map to take with you as a back up. Whether it is the best app on the market I have no idea, but I have no complaints with it. Hope that helps. Happy shopping.

@@jonathancraigguides thank you so much for all your help much appreciated iv got the os app now and will pay the £25thanks agen for the help I'm looking forward to seeing the lake district soon 😀

Glad you enjoyed the vid, it was great fun to do. Maggies Bridge car park is National Trust, but when I was there in March it was free as there was logging activity, and I could not actually see a pay and display machine. But I checked with the NT and according to them there is normally a charge. When I went to do the video I couldn't get in that car park as it was full! Had to change my plans slightly and go from the parking space at the other end of the lake, by the road, which was empty. The roadside parking is free, and there are two good spots, one along the lake shore and the other at the western end. That one is good for both the round the lake walk and Low Fell.

thanks for your reply. i wondered why you didnt park at Maggies Bridge from a distance persepective. Rannerdale Knotts is another good low level spot for a great view of Crummock water loweswater and surrounding fells. i watched the sun go down over Melbreak a few months ago in the glorious sunshine. sublime. Andy H

I was going to do Rannerdale in May, when the bluebells were in full bloom, but the weather and my days off didn't match up. I also love Red Pike, although it is a few years since I last went up and my knees are not getting any better!