Lake District
Little Meldrum
404M
1325FT
About Little Meldrum
Overlooking the northern reaches of Ullswater, this rounded Birkett offers a quiet escape from the busier paths around Pooley Bridge. Characterised by its grassy slopes and limestone influences, it provides a superb vantage point for watching the steamers ply the lake towards Glenridding, framed by the higher Far Eastern Fells.
Key Statistics
Rank
597th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
19m
Nearest Town
Watermillock
Geology
You are hiking across ancient volcanic ash and layers of hardened lava. These volcanic rocks rest upon a foundation of fine, compressed mud.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY422227
Latitude
54.5969°N
Longitude
2.8961°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Meldrum' is thought to derive from the Old Norse 'melr', meaning bent-grass, and the word 'drum', meaning a ridge. It accurately describes this grassy, elongated mound that rises above the limestone pastures of the Eden Valley fringe.
- •While omitted from Alfred Wainwright’s primary guides, the hill was recognised by Bill Birkett and Tim Synge, who appreciated its position as a gateway to the more rugged Far Eastern Fells.
- •It is frequently climbed as part of a circuit from Pooley Bridge that includes its slightly taller neighbour, Great Meldrum, and the nearby Heughscar Hill, creating a low-level alternative when the high tops are lost in cloud.
- •The summit offers an unobstructed view of the northern reach of Ullswater, where the lake bends away from Pooley Bridge, framed by the dark, wooded slopes of Dunmallard Hill and the distant Pennines to the east.
- •At 404 metres, it provides a summit experience that is perfectly scaled for those who want the view of the mountains without the physiological commitment usually required to see them.