Holme Fell

Holme Fell stands in the Lake District between Coniston Water and Little Langdale. It is an eastern outlier of Wetherlam, separated by Yewdale Beck. The fell forms a mile-and-a-half ridge running north to south, with the summit at the southern end. Calf and Raven Crags guard the summit flank, while Ivy Crag to the north carries a large cairn. Uskdale Gap follows, then a series of lower tops descending to Great How at 692 ft. The boundaries of the fell are all formed by roads and tracks, allowing circular walks. Holme Fell is worth the journey for its varied scenery and quiet paths. The southern half holds natural deciduous woodland, while the north has larger planted woods. Two small tarns beside Uskdale Gap were once quarry reservoirs, fed by a funicular that raised slate. Yew Tree Tarn beside the Ambleside–Coniston road was dammed in the 1930s to provide fishing and still holds trout. Views from the summit stretch almost the full length of Coniston Water, with Wetherlam blocking the south-western quadrant. The fell’s modest height and isolation give clear sightlines to north, south and east. Visitors find a ridge with a summit marked by a cairn and open views across the landscape. The disused green-slate quarry at Hodge Close offers flooded chambers used by cave divers, though the site is dangerous. Rock climbers also use the quarry’s walls for Extreme routes such as ‘First Night Nerves’ and ‘Wicked Willie’. Paths start from Holme Ground, Hodge Close quarry, Yew Tree Tarn or Yew Tree Farm, and can be extended to Tarn Hows. The fell’s name appears as Holme Fell on Ordnance Survey maps, though a variant spelling exists. Dry ground within marshy areas gives the fell its name, linking it to Old Norse roots.