Smardale Fell

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

Smardale Fell

Highmore Hill from the railway The hill (right, summit height 266m) overlooks the town of Kirkby Stephen on the other side.
Highmore Hill from the railway Credit: Stephen Craven

Smardale Fell is a picturesque area located in the county of Westmorland, England. Situated in the northern part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it encompasses a diverse landscape of rolling downs and expansive moorland. The fell covers an area of approximately 2,000 acres and is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquility.

The terrain of Smardale Fell consists of undulating hills and valleys, dotted with scattered limestone outcrops. The area is characterized by its rich biodiversity, with a variety of plant and animal species thriving in its diverse habitats. Rare plants such as the bird's-eye primrose and juniper can be found here, making it a haven for botany enthusiasts.

The fell is also home to an array of wildlife, including red squirrels, roe deer, and a wide range of bird species. It provides an ideal habitat for breeding birds such as curlews, lapwings, and skylarks, attracting birdwatchers from far and wide.

Visitors to Smardale Fell can explore its extensive network of footpaths and bridleways, which offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The area is intersected by the Smardalegill Viaduct, an impressive structure that was once part of the now-defunct South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway. The viaduct adds a touch of historical charm to the landscape, drawing railway enthusiasts and history buffs to the area.

Overall, Smardale Fell is a captivating destination for nature lovers, hikers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. Its unspoiled beauty and diverse ecosystems make it a true gem within the Westmorland region.

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Smardale Fell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.456676/-2.4008195 or Grid Reference NY7406. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Highmore Hill from the railway The hill (right, summit height 266m) overlooks the town of Kirkby Stephen on the other side.
Highmore Hill from the railway
The hill (right, summit height 266m) overlooks the town of Kirkby Stephen on the other side.
Towngate, Smardale Seen from the railway bridge, Holme Farm is nearest the camera with the grade II* listed Smardale hall <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1997661">NY7308 : Smardale Hall</a> beyond. In the foreground is a railway quarter-mile post.
Towngate, Smardale
Seen from the railway bridge, Holme Farm is nearest the camera with the grade II* listed Smardale hall NY7308 : Smardale Hall beyond. In the foreground is a railway quarter-mile post.
Chapel Well Barn, Smardale Situated close to the Scandal Beck (marked by the lines of trees, right). See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6275067">NY7308 : View over Scandal Beck from Smardale Viaduct</a>.
Chapel Well Barn, Smardale
Situated close to the Scandal Beck (marked by the lines of trees, right). See also NY7308 : View over Scandal Beck from Smardale Viaduct.
Kirkby Stephen Station Stanier 8F 48151 and Class 37 37706 haul a southbound excursion train through Kirkby Stephen Station.
Lineside vegetation was very dry following a prolonged period without rain. The Class 37 had been added to the train to assist the steam locomotive thereby reducing the risk of sparks causing lineside fires.
Kirkby Stephen Station
Stanier 8F 48151 and Class 37 37706 haul a southbound excursion train through Kirkby Stephen Station. Lineside vegetation was very dry following a prolonged period without rain. The Class 37 had been added to the train to assist the steam locomotive thereby reducing the risk of sparks causing lineside fires.
Track on Limekiln Hill
Track on Limekiln Hill
Drinking trough in wall
Drinking trough in wall
Romano-British settlement and associated field system at Waitby Intake For more info. see Heritagegateway.org.uk. (2018). List Entry Number: 1018064. [online] Available at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1018064&resourceID=5" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1018064&resourceID=5">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> [Accessed 26 Jun. 2022].
Romano-British settlement and associated field system at Waitby Intake
For more info. see Heritagegateway.org.uk. (2018). List Entry Number: 1018064. [online] Available at: LinkExternal link [Accessed 26 Jun. 2022].
Wall at Lingy Intake
Wall at Lingy Intake
Long Plantation The name that appears on the 1862 6" O.S. map. with a wood symbol — see Maps.nls.uk. (2022). View map: Westmorland XXX (includes: Kirkby Stephen; Mallerstang; Nateby; Ravenstonedale; ...) - Ordnance Survey Six-inch England and Wales, 1842-1952. [online] Available at: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://maps.nls.uk/view/102347880#zoom=6&lat=9304&lon=2399&layers=BT" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://maps.nls.uk/view/102347880#zoom=6&lat=9304&lon=2399&layers=BT">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> [Accessed 26 Jun. 2022].
Long Plantation
The name that appears on the 1862 6" O.S. map. with a wood symbol — see Maps.nls.uk. (2022). View map: Westmorland XXX (includes: Kirkby Stephen; Mallerstang; Nateby; Ravenstonedale; ...) - Ordnance Survey Six-inch England and Wales, 1842-1952. [online] Available at: LinkExternal link [Accessed 26 Jun. 2022].
Scandal Beck entering Smardale Gill Scandal Beck is forced north to join the River Eden through the narrow Smardale Gill. The beck is crossed by the disused Smardalegill viaduct, which now carries a permissive footpath. The viaduct was designed by Sir Thomas Bouch for the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway, opening in 1861 and closing in 1962.
Scandal Beck entering Smardale Gill
Scandal Beck is forced north to join the River Eden through the narrow Smardale Gill. The beck is crossed by the disused Smardalegill viaduct, which now carries a permissive footpath. The viaduct was designed by Sir Thomas Bouch for the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway, opening in 1861 and closing in 1962.
Bridleway crossing Smardale Fell
Bridleway crossing Smardale Fell
Lone tree on Smardale Fell The imposing upland in the background is Wild Boar Fell
Lone tree on Smardale Fell
The imposing upland in the background is Wild Boar Fell
Old railway cutting near Smardale This disused line is part of the Smardale Nature Reserve and this section is signposted as a path to Waitby.
Old railway cutting near Smardale
This disused line is part of the Smardale Nature Reserve and this section is signposted as a path to Waitby.
Remains of old bridge over disused railway This disused line is part of the Smardale Nature Reserve and this section is signposted as a path to Waitby.
The railway line once connected Tebay to Darlington.
Remains of old bridge over disused railway
This disused line is part of the Smardale Nature Reserve and this section is signposted as a path to Waitby. The railway line once connected Tebay to Darlington.
Old railway cutting near Waitby This disused line is part of the Smardale Nature Reserve and this section is signposted as a path to Waitby.
Old railway cutting near Waitby
This disused line is part of the Smardale Nature Reserve and this section is signposted as a path to Waitby.
Smardale Gill Viaduct The viaduct is the man made highlight of the Smardale Nature Reserve.
Smardale Gill Viaduct
The viaduct is the man made highlight of the Smardale Nature Reserve.
Smardale Gill Viaduct The viaduct is the man made highlight of the Smardale Nature Reserve.
Smardale Gill Viaduct
The viaduct is the man made highlight of the Smardale Nature Reserve.
Scandal Beck and Smardale Gill
Scandal Beck and Smardale Gill
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Smardale Fell is located at Grid Ref: NY7406 (Lat: 54.456676, Lng: -2.4008195)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Eden

Police Authority: Cumbria

What 3 Words

///promising.slowness.answer. Near Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

Related Wikis

Smardale

Smardale is a small village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Waitby, in the Eden district, in Cumbria, England. In 1891 the parish had a population...

Smardale railway station

Smardale railway station was a minor station on the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway between Tebay and Kirkby Stephen East. It served the villages...

Waitby

Waitby is a small village and civil parish in the Eden district of Cumbria, England. The parish contains two small villages, Waitby and Smardale, plus...

Kirkby Stephen railway station

Kirkby Stephen is a railway station in Eden in Cumbria, England, on the Settle and Carlisle Line, which runs between Carlisle and Leeds via Settle. The...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.456676,-2.4008195
Man Made: kiln
Lat/Long: 54.458527/-2.3946519
Ele: 360
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.455221/-2.4034254
Limekiln Hill
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 54.456866/-2.3955735
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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