Lake District
The Knight
552M
1811FT
About The Knight
Rising as a rugged, rocky spur on the northern flank of Place Fell, this Birkett offers a more intimate perspective of Ullswater than its parent peak. It is a landscape of crags and steep grass, providing a grandstand view directly down the lake towards Pooley Bridge and across to the Helvellyn range.
Key Statistics
Rank
323rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Far Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
6m
Nearest Town
Glenridding
Geology
This fell is built from layers of compressed volcanic ash and hardened lava. You’re stepping on debris left behind by massive, ancient eruptions.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY404176
Latitude
54.5504°N
Longitude
2.9226°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a descriptive English title, likely chosen for the hill's sentinel-like appearance overlooking the Patterdale valley, standing in contrast to the Old Norse 'Fell' and 'Dalr' names that dominate the surrounding landscape.
- •Though technically a shoulder of Place Fell, it is classified as a Birkett and a Synge; Bill Birkett included it in his 'Complete Peaks' due to its distinct rocky identity and the clear depression that separates it from the higher ground.
- •The summit provides an exceptional vantage point for studying the glacial 'elbow' of Ullswater, where the lake turns sharply at Skelly Neb, and offers a perfectly framed view of the pyramid-like profile of Catstye Cam.
- •The final approach to the cairn involves weaving through a series of small, interesting rock tiers that provide some of the most pleasant, easy scrambling in the Far Eastern Fells.
- •It serves as a perfect spot to watch the Ullswater Steamers tracing white wakes across the water, looking very much like bath toys from this 552-metre vantage point.
- •It is the kind of peak that offers a very convincing summit experience, right up until you turn around and see the massive bulk of Place Fell still looming a hundred metres above you.
