Barrow

Barrow is a modest fell in Cumbria’s Newlands Valley, 4 km south-west of Keswick. It rises to 455 metres and offers wide views over the Newlands and Keswick vales. The fell’s name comes from Old English, meaning a long ridge. A narrow ridge climbs south-west from Braithwaite before turning west at Barrow Door. Beyond the col lie Stile End and Outerside, while Coledale lies to the north-west and Newlands Beck to the east.

The fell is worth the journey for its clear paths and varied scenery. Walkers usually start from Braithwaite or the Newlands Valley hamlet of Stair. From Stair an old mine road climbs Stonycroft Gill to 350 metres before heading east to the summit. Two routes lead from Braithwaite, one along the northern ridge and another up Barrow Gill. The geology is mostly laminated mudstone and siltstone of the Kirkstile Formation. A band of greywacke sandstone runs along the eastern flanks.

At the top a small cairn stands on grass with heather all around. The summit view includes the Helvellyn range across Derwentwater and Skiddaw above Keswick. Old lead mines scar the eastern slopes, their light spoil heaps clearly visible. The ravine of Barrow Gill is deep and out of proportion to its small stream. The spoil heaps still shift slightly and make a faint rustling sound as they slide downhill.