Barrow? You’re probably thinking of shipbuilding and submarines, but up here in Keswick – for those in the know at any rate – it’s the name of a wonderful fell top (455 metres high). Climbing there gives you a taste of upland meadows, high rugged tops, ancient field patterns of the valley bottoms and stunning views of Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater, the area’s largest lakes – all in just a short walk of 1½ - 2 hours.
Yesterday at the height of the holiday season I was passing High Coledale at 8 o’clock with only the sheep and birds as companions. On a blustery morning with bright sunshine, riffs of colour and shade played on the brackened fellside as the clouds bustled and billowed above. Magical. No wonder our niece insisted on climbing Barrow on her wedding morning.
Don’t tell everyone about it – or it will get ’super-model’ attention and no quiet mornings – but make sure you get up there before you leave. Full details and an accompanying slide show of photos are on the website’s walking section under The Barrow Round – high tops and valley bottoms.
