Gavel Fell

Gavel Fell is a modest hill in the western Lake District, standing at the centre of the five Loweswater Fells. It lies between Hen Comb and Blake Fell, with the village of Loweswater at its foot. The fell forms part of the northern arm of the fells that fan out from Loweswater like fingers of a hand. Its long ridge runs south-west from the valley, rising past High Nook farm before steepening up Black Crag to the summit plateau. Two becks, Highnook Beck and Whiteoak Beck, flank the fell on the Loweswater side, merging near High Nook Farm. The fell is made of laminated mudstone and siltstone from the Kirk Stile Formation, typical of the Skiddaw range. Remains of Whiteoak Lead Mine, worked between 1864 and 1891, can still be seen on both sides of Whiteoak Gill. Floutern Tarn, a small pool about 12 ft deep, lies beneath Floutern Cop on the southern boundary. A walker’s pass crosses beside Floutern Tarn, linking Buttermere to Ennerdale. The western face is drained by Croasdale Beck, a tributary of the Ehen. The summit is marked by a large cairn on a grassy plateau, with fine views eastward over the Grasmoor group. The highest subsidiary top, unnamed on Ordnance Survey maps but called High Nook in some guides, reaches 1,601 ft. Beyond the summit ridge lies Banna Fell, often considered part of Gavel Fell, with its prominent eastern top, Floutern Cop. The fell can be climbed from Loweswater village or from Croasdale to the west, following paths past High Nook farm or up the west ridge of Banna Fell.