Raven's Barrow [Cartmel Fell]

About Raven's Barrow [Cartmel Fell]

Tucked away in the quiet limestone uplands of Cartmel Fell, this modest summit offers a superb effort-to-reward ratio. A featured Wainwright Outlying Fell, its crowning glory is a substantial stone cairn that serves as a grandstand for views across the southern reaches of Windermere towards the distant Coniston fells.

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Did You Know?

• •The name likely stems from the Old Norse 'hrafn' and 'beorg', suggesting a hill frequented by ravens, though the prominent summit cairn certainly gives the impression of a man-made burial barrow.
• •Alfred Wainwright was particularly fond of this spot in his Outlying Fells guide, describing the view of Windermere from the summit as 'of great beauty' and recommending it as a perfect short excursion for those staying in the south of the park.
• •The vista from the summit cairn is remarkably wide for such a low elevation, encompassing the gleaming sands of Morecambe Bay to the south and the jagged skyline of the Langdale Pikes and the Coniston Fells to the northwest.
• •Many walkers combine a visit to the summit with a stop at the nearby 16th-century St Anthony’s Church, one of the few in England dedicated to the patron saint of charcoal burners, a trade once common in these local woods.
• •The 'barrow' at the summit is so substantial it effectively adds a few extra feet of height to the hill, which is helpful given it falls short of the 500-foot mark by less than fifteen inches.