Beacon Fell

Walked on 14/04/2024

Walking Diary 2024

Start Point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 3.7 km Total Ascent: 155 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15. Start Time: 10:40

Weather: Breezy with sunny spells. 11°C

The weather seems to have been incessantly wet over the last couple of weeks and there hasn’t been much chance of getting out for me. Hopefully we are heading towards sunnier and warmer weather but fine will do just…er, fine for now! Brightness wasn’t really expected today so I took the opportunity when I saw it with some lovely sunny spells on this short but enjoyable walk. The wind was quite strong on the top with a biting edge to it. It’ll soon be summer!

Beacon fell Route Map

The Coniston fells dominate the scene to the north throughout this walk, but what a magnificent view looking at Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Fletcher enjoying the fleeting moments of sunshine.

Beacon Fell ahead.

High and mighty - The Old Man of Coniston.

Getting closer now, we climbed from left to right up the slope.

Wetherlam beyond Torver Common and Torver.

The route to the top is the climb up this gully.

Looking back down the gully with a view to Coniston Water.

You can see virtually the full length of Coniston Water from here.

Having a summit drink!

The summit of Beacon Fell. I couldn't see the treasure tin again...sometimes it's there, sometimes not. Perhaps I'll renew it one day.

Descending to the south-west, overlooking Beacon Tarn.

Down at the tarn.

From here we followed the Cumbria way path back to the road.

This section is a bit boggy but yet again but the views are excellent.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 24/10/2021

Start Point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Start Time: 11:15

Weather: Damp and overcast. 12°C

The dogs were sprung from the boarding kennels this morning after we had been away for a few days. We went to Beacon Fell, an old favourite of ours and nothing too taxing – it was the perfect walk for the conditions today which were pretty much a polar opposite of our previous walk to Helvellyn.

Click below to see the route – you can print or download a .gpx file. The route is the actual track walked.

It was a bit overcast at the start of the walk and it didn't look like we would make it all the way round dry...we shall see!

Climbing higher with a view to Coniston Water now. Below on the path are the Barrow Ramblers who I stopped and chatted to as they descended. Nice to bump into you all today!

Climbing the gully - they know the way. I think.

Looking back down the gully, it is raining over Coniston village and high fells by the look of it.

Fletcher and Dougal at the top. It was more than a bit breezy and fresh!

Full Coniston Water (almost).

Beacon Fell. There was no sign of the treasure tin today, perhaps I will resurrect it one day.

Heading for Beacon Tarn in the slight drizzle. Not too bad considering the weather elsewhere today and it had stopped by the time we got down to the tarn.

Wool Knott across Beacon Tarn.

A portrait of Dougal.

Looking back to the tarn at the start of the return leg.

The gnarled old tree is still standing, all alone.

A sea of orange and the Coniston fells are invisible under the cloud.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 12/09/2009

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm.22C.

It was a gorgeous day today, too good to miss out on a walk when the opportunity arose. I really fancied having a swim somewhere and Beacon Fell ticked all the right boxes for that along with the views of course. Although it was sunny and warm, autumn is quickly catching us now and the fells are turning a beautiful golden colour which was enhanced by the sunshine today.

Beacon Fell route map.

First sight of the Coniston fells.

Top o' Selside and the tiniest glimpse of Coniston Water from the climb to Beacon.

More of Coniston Water comes into view as we climb higher. Lost something Casper?

Ah, there you are Dougal Doo! Beacon Fell is the other way, behind you. What a good lad he was today - no, make that a very good lad. This was his first taste of the freedom of the fells as he was off the lead throughout the walk. No problems responding to command, no problems with sheep, in fact no problems at all.

Casper and Dougal show their family similarity.

Together in the heather.

Coniston Water.

The head of the lake from the climb with the Fairfield fells beyond.

The Coniston range.

Beacon Fell summit. The 'treasure' tin we placed here in April has gone as has everything we left inside including the fable of the box. It has been replaced with a rather less elegant plastic box, suitably enhanced earlier the same day with Spiderman badges kindly left by a young StridingEdge fan, Alfie.

Brock Barrow above High Nibthwaite at the southern end of Coniston Water.

That's a nice look Casper, glad I groomed you this morning.

Dougal has managed to keep clean for his summit shot.

A portrait of Dougal on Beacon Fell.

What a day. What a place.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

The mighty Wetherlam beyond Torver.

Beacon Tarn, known forever in our house as 'Sparkly Tarn' due to the moniker Connie gave it a couple of years ago.

Casper was first in, closely followed by...

...well, me! In this reversal of roles, Dougal is guarding our things whilst we have a swim. I wonder if he can find a stick for me to fetch?

At great risk to life, limb and camera, BeaconTarnCam brings you the view from the middle of the tarn looking to Wool Knott. It was wonderful in here today and I spent a good while having a swim in the warm sunshine. Absolute heaven. I couldn't help thinking, though, that this was probably the final curtain call for summer and the last outdoor swim of 2009.

Casper doesn't look like he will give Dougal any swimming lessons, so I did.

I don't think he will be the next Angus as far as swimming goes but Dougal does bear more than a passing resemblance to him in this shot.

Damp dogs drying off in the sunshine.

The Old Man and Wetherlam from an un-named tarn on the return.

There is a magnificent display of bright red berries on this Rowan Tree.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 02/01/2008

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Gloomy with a raw, strong wind. 3oC.

Firstly, regarding Monday’s walk, I was shocked to see that a canoeist had been killed on the River Crake that day. We were watching them between Lowick Bridge and Spark Bridge on the rapid and swollen river prior to the final photo on the walk page, which is timed at 2.15pm on the data file. The unfortunate accident occurred at 3pm, not too long after we left.

Today’s walk was a bit of a non-starter for Connie. She wanted to check that the treasure tin we hid back in October on the top of Beacon Fell was still there, but the wind was far too strong and bitter for her to continue all the way to the top. Reluctantly Louise, Connie and Angus turned back half way whilst Casper and I checked out the summit. These photos are to show that it is not always sunny and clear in the Lake District, as the walks in the run up to Christmas and the 2007 retrospective may have suggested!

Setting off for Beacon Fell it was absolutely freezing with a strong, bitter wind.

Louise shows Connie the way (or see's how long she can hold her arm out balancing a mini-Casper on it!) whilst Angus is desperate for a stroke from Connie.

Windswept Angus.

Murky on the way to Beacon Fell.

Coniston Water is just about visible today.

Casper on the summit - I am struggling to keep on my feet here. The treasure box is still at the cairn, I can report!

Misty Beacon Tarn and Wool Knott.

Waterfall on Black Beck.

Lots of water around after all the rain.

Coniston Water from Brown Howe. Casper has a shake whilst Angus is stick hunting again.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 01/01/2007

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Cold and windy. 7oC.

It was nice to be out for the first walk of 2007 up on Beacon Fell today – the last week or so has not been great for weather so we have stuck to low level ones and the highest we have been is up to Stickle Pike with the the whole walk being completely in mist. Connie was spurred on by the thought of the hidden treasure tin once again; this ensures Beacon Fell remains a firm favourite with her!

The Coniston fells across Torver Low Common - clear for now.

Heading for Beacon Fell - looks like Connie is making a dash for it!

Now Casper is waiting for us whilst Angus has a barking session.

Dog-wonder himself!

High Nibthwaite and the southern end of Coniston Water.

The cloud has come down on the higher fells now, Caw remains clear to the left. Immediately prior to this, a huge rain storm passed from Caw along the common - fortunately it missed us!

The family on top of Beacon Fell - Louise, Connie, Casper and Angus. Connie has found the treasure tin (again).

Coniston Water from Beacon Fell.

Black Combe gets a touch of sunshine.

Stickle Pike.

Beacon Tarn - it's too cold for a dip today young lady.

Beacon Tarn again, Wool Knott on the far side.

The cloud is lifting again on the Coniston fells across Torver Low Common - Dow Crag, The Old Man and Wetherlam.

The Old Man and Wetherlam from further along the path.

Monochromatic Coniston.

There is snow on Helvellyn and Fairfield to the north.

Coniston Water from Brown How.