For those of you who have an early version of the Lakes book, here’s an extra location added later on.
Wasdale Head is covered in ancient field patterns and there are many fells from which you can view them, but the walk up Kirk Fell gets you relatively high relatively quick. Although it’s steep you don’t need to go all the way to the top — even as far as the large rock you can see from the bottom will give you a great view of the patterns and tiny St Olaf’s Church nestled in the trees. There’s also a fabulous view looking down the valley towards the head of Wastwater. It’s a good location year-round, but avoid early morning and late evening as the surrounding hills cast the fields in shadow.
» How to get there
Go all the way to the top of Wastwater and park in the car park at Wasdale Head where the road forks (free). Walk up the road to the pub and follow the signs for the bar. Go past the bar and turn right, then follow the path on the right-hand side of the river for a couple of minutes. Bear left at the fork and go through the gate. At the next set of gates, take the one on the right and follow the path up the fell. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the large rock.
» Grid references
NY 187 085 for parking (postcode CA20 1EX), NY189 094 for the viewpoint.
