Lake District
Holme Fell
315M
1035FT
About Holme Fell
Rising above the trees of the Yewdale valley, this diminutive Wainwright offers rewards far beyond its modest height. While often overlooked for the higher Coniston Fells, its rugged, heathery summit provides a spectacular vantage point over Coniston Water and the Langdale Pikes, making it an essential short walk from nearby Coniston.
Key Statistics
Rank
749th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Southern Fells
Prominence
?
165.4m
Nearest Town
Little Langdale
Geology
You are walking on layers of compressed volcanic ash and hardened sand. These rocks formed from debris and stone fragments left behind by ancient, explosive eruptions.
Classifications
Find It
Latitude
54.3963°N
Longitude
3.0565°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Old Norse 'holmr', which typically denotes an island or an area of dry land rising above a marshy valley floor, reflecting the fell's isolated position between Yewdale Beck and Tilberthwaite.
- •Alfred Wainwright held the hill in high regard despite its low elevation, famously remarking that it is 'a very small fell with very large views' and a perfect introduction to hillwalking for those visiting the area.
- •The fell has two distinct tops; while the OS map marks the summit at the northern cairn, the true highest point is actually found a few hundred metres south on the rugged outcrop of Ivy Crag.
- •Many walkers approach via the nearby Hodge Close Quarry, a massive 19th-century slate excavation featuring sheer 150-foot walls and deep pools that provide a dramatic contrast to the fell's heathery slopes.
- •From the summit, the full length of Coniston Water is visible, including Peel Island—the inspiration for Wild Cat Island in Arthur Ransome’s 'Swallows and Amazons'—with the bulk of Wetherlam dominating the view to the west.
- •Despite standing at barely a thousand feet, the fell boasts seven different peak classifications, proving that in the Lake District, stature and status are rarely on speaking terms.