Burnbank Fell

Burnbank Fell is a small grassy hill in the west of the Lake District, part of the Loweswater Fells just south of Loweswater. It sits at the far end of the northern ridge of the Western Fells, a horseshoe of high country around Ennerdale. The fell connects to Blake Fell by a broad grassy ridge and can be climbed from Lamplugh or Waterend. Its flanks are mostly smooth grass, with steeper crags on the northeastern side. The fell’s western slopes drop to the coastal plain beyond the National Park. The fell’s summit is a rounded grassy dome marked by an old fence post and a small cairn. From the top there is a limited view of the Lakeland fells because Blake Fell blocks much of the scene. A few steps northeast opens a clear view of Crummock Water, while the coast, Isle of Man and Solway Firth appear to the northwest. The fell’s eastern slopes hold Holme Wood, where Holme Force’s parallel waterfalls tumble down through the trees. Below the wood, Loweswater is framed by the fellside, with Holme Beck forming the boundary between Burnbank Fell and Blake Fell. Paths from Waterend lead through Holme Wood to the summit, with terrace and lakeshore routes offering pleasant walking. The summit ridge continues west to Owsen Fell, a subsidiary top often grouped with Burnbank Fell. The fell’s geology shows laminated mudstone at the top and greywacke sandstone on the eastern slopes. Old mine levels appear above Wisenholme Beck and near the summit, while Wainwright noted further workings on the eastern flanks. The fell’s western slopes descend to Lamplugh, where conifer plantations cover the lower ground.