Grange Fell [Brund Fell]

About Grange Fell [Brund Fell]

Rising above the 'Jaws of Borrowdale', this rugged Wainwright is a complex knot of heather, crag, and birch. While Brund Fell is its highest point, the entire plateau feels like a wild, miniature mountain range. It offers an unrivalled, close-up perspective of Derwentwater and the Skiddaw massif beyond.

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Did You Know?

• •The name refers to the monastic 'grange' or farm at nearby Borrowdale, which was once owned by the monks of Furness Abbey. The summit’s specific name, Brund Fell, likely derives from the Old Norse or Middle English word for 'burnt', suggesting historical land clearing or heather management.
• •Alfred Wainwright was a devoted admirer of this fell, describing it as "a beautiful place" and ranking its view of Borrowdale as the finest in the district. He specifically recommended it for walkers who prefer intricate, rocky detail over the "massive and the majestic" of higher peaks.
• •The fell holds significant conservation history; it was purchased by the National Trust in 1910 as a memorial to King Edward VII. It was officially opened by Princess Louise, marking an early milestone for public access in the Lake District.
• •The summit area is a chaotic labyrinth of shattered rock and deep heather. While Brund Fell is the highest point, most hikers make the short detour to the subsidiary top of King’s How for its famous plunging view over the narrowest part of the Borrowdale valley.
• •From the summit tors, you look directly down the length of Derwentwater to the silhouettes of Skiddaw and Blencathra. To the south, the view is dominated by the dramatic profile of the upper Borrowdale valley as it winds towards the high skyline of Great Gable.
• •Despite its modest elevation, the summit plateau is so fragmented and undulating that it is quite possible to visit three different 'highest points' in ten minutes and still be uncertain if you’ve actually stood on the right one.