Lake District
Barrow
455M
1492FT
About Barrow
Barrow is a popular 'starter' fell directly above Braithwaite. It’s a straightforward, grassy climb that rewards you with an outsized view for very little effort. You’ll get a perfect perspective over Derwent Water and the Coledale Horseshoe without the knee-crunching descent of its larger neighbours.
Key Statistics
Rank
498th Highest in Region
Parent Range
North Western Fells
Prominence
?
70
Nearest Town
Stair
Geology
Barrow’s ground is built from soft mudstone and fine‑grained siltstone of the Kirk Stile Formation, giving the fell its gentle, layered feel. These rocks weather easily, creating smooth slopes.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
Latitude
54.5857°N
Longitude
3.1975°W
Did You Know?
- •The name stems from the Anglo-Saxon word 'beorg', meaning a hill or mound, which perfectly describes its position as a distinctive, rounded ridge overlooking the Newlands Valley.
- •Barrow’s eastern slopes are scarred by the history of the Barrow Lead Mine, which operated intermittently from the 17th century until its final closure in the late 1800s.
- •The fell is composed primarily of Skiddaw Slate, a geological formation that results in the smooth, rounded profiles and easy-to-walk grassy slopes typical of the North Western fells.
- •It serves as a key peak on a popular lower-level circuit connecting to Outerside and Stile End, offering a high-level traverse that stays relatively dry even after heavy Cumbrian rain.
- •Despite its modest height, the summit is often occupied by local sheep who seem remarkably unimpressed by your effort to climb what they clearly consider a slightly oversized speed bump.