Broom Fell

Broom Fell is a Wainwright in the Lake District’s North Western Fells, standing between Lord’s Seat and Graystones on a high ridge. The fell sits in a broad, hilly belt between the rivers Derwent and Cocker, stretching north to south. Two east–west roads divide the area into three groups, with Broom Fell in the northernmost section. The ridge begins at a marshy hollow before rising to the summit, then continues west to Widow Hause and Graystones. To the south lies the wooded valley of Aiken Beck, while to the north is the flat expanse of Wythop Moss. Alfred Wainwright gave Broom Fell its separate fell status in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. The summit is marked by a short grassy top with a stone wall ending abruptly and a small wind shelter built from part of it. A 2-metre cairn now stands at the highest point. On clear days the view stretches north-west to the Solway Firth and Criffel in Scotland. To the east, Lord’s Seat frames the Skiddaw group, while southward the Whiteside-Grisedale Pike ridge and Grasmoor fells appear. The fell can be reached from Wythop Mill by crossing Wythop Moss on an old path before climbing Widow Hause’s northern slope. Another route starts at Scawgill Bridge near Whinlatter Pass, using Aiken Beck to reach the southern slopes. A longer 4.3-kilometre walk begins at the Whinlatter visitor centre, passing Ullister Hill and Lord’s Seat. The summit offers wide views over the surrounding fells and distant coastlines. The Darling How Plantation hides Spout Force waterfall within its coniferous cover. Burthwaite Heights, a small top to the north, overlooks the vast Wythop Moss bog.