Lake District
Branstree
712M
2334FT
About Branstree
Rising above the head of Haweswater, this broad, grassy Wainwright offers a quiet sense of isolation. Its plateau-like summit is marked by distinctive survey pillars, providing a superb vantage point over the steep-sided valley of Mardale and the neighbouring High Street range across the reservoir.
Key Statistics
Rank
146th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Far Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
137m
Nearest Town
Sadgill
Geology
You are walking on ancient layers of hardened volcanic ash and sandstones formed from volcanic debris. These sturdy rocks create the very foundation of Branstree.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY477100
Latitude
54.4827°N
Longitude
2.8076°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is thought to originate from the Old Norse personal name 'Brandr' and the Old English 'treow', meaning 'Brand’s tree', suggesting the fell once marked a boundary or a specific meeting point in the ancient landscape.
- •The summit ridge features two prominent, square-cut stone columns known as the Survey Pillars. These were built in the 1930s by engineers to provide sightlines for the construction of the multi-mile Haweswater aqueduct, which carries water to Manchester.
- •While the true summit is marked by a cairn, Alfred Wainwright recommended walking to the north-eastern edge of the plateau to find the best view, where the ground drops away to reveal the full length of Haweswater.
- •From the top, the vista westward is dominated by the 'Far Eastern' giants, specifically the dark, craggy silhouette of Harter Fell and the Roman-road-topped ridge of High Street.
- •It is a hill of such gentle gradients that the distinction between a 'path' and a 'permanent stream' is often left entirely to the walker's optimism.