A walk climbing to the summit of Holme Fell and an exploration of the disused slate mine at Hodge Close.  Holme Fell is only just over 1000' in height but there are wonderful views from the summit.

Route: From the NT car park walk SW along the A593 to Yew Tree Farm.  Take a footpath to Shepherd's Bridge and then a quiet country lane past Raven Crag before branching half right along a bridleway, which leads to the disused slate quarry at Hodge Close.  Retrace your steps and find a path heading up through bracken to Uskdale Gap.  The summit ridge can be approached from either side.  The highest rocks have no cairn, but there is a cairn on a rocky tor close by.  Descend via Uskdale Gap and find a path heading south through Harry Guards Wood past Yew Tree Tarn back to the road at Yew Tree Farm.

A Tamworth pig rooting under the trees at Yew Tree Farm

We arrive at Shepherd's Bridge and Beattie cools her paws

Yewdale Beck

Holme Fell

Bridleway leading to Hodge Close quarry

This oak tree was a picture in the afternoon sun

Hodge Close quarry (now closed)
It was the largest slate quarry in Lakeland

The Langdale Pikes from Hodge Close

Climbing up on to the fell we reach Uskdale Gap

Coniston Water from the highest point of Holme Fell

Nearby, there is a cairn on a rock tor
A very pleasant place to enjoy the view

The Langdale Pikes

The Eastern Fells with a dusting of snow on the top of Helvellyn

The distant Howgill Fells

It's a great spot to sit!

The way down is a steep little scramble

It's nearly sunset as we pass Yew Tree Tarn

Yew Tree Farm and the lights are shining!

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Comment from Richard Ratcliffe
Hello Derek, I was up on Holme Fell on Sat 1st Nov, must have been within days of your visit - but I can tell by the weather and clouds that it was not the same day. When I'm around Hodge Close I feel to be in the centre of the Lake District, even if geographically this isn't the case - everything  on view is beautiful! Good work with the camera, all the best, Richard.
 

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2008 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved

THE PICTORIAL GUIDES

The Eastern Fells
The Far Eastern Fells
The Central Fells
The Southern Fells
The Northern Fells
The North Western Fells
The Western Fells

The 214 Challenge