Peat Moor

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

Peat Moor

Peat Moor is a stunning natural landscape located in the county of Westmorland, in the northwestern region of England. Spread across vast expanses of land, it is characterized by its unique combination of downs and moorland.

The downs of Peat Moor are rolling hills that provide a picturesque backdrop to the area. Covered in lush green grasses and scattered with wildflowers, they create a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The gentle slopes of the downs offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, making it a haven for nature lovers and photographers.

The moorland of Peat Moor, on the other hand, is a stark contrast to the downs. It is a vast expanse of open, rugged terrain covered in heather, bracken, and scattered patches of gorse bushes. The moorland is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds of prey, such as kestrels and buzzards, and various species of ground-nesting birds. Visitors may also spot deer roaming freely across the moorland.

Peat Moor is a popular destination for outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and photography. There are several well-marked trails that crisscross the downs and moorland, providing opportunities for exploration and discovery. The area is also known for its peat bogs, which are an important ecological feature and have been carefully preserved.

Overall, Peat Moor in Westmorland is a stunning natural landscape that offers a unique blend of downs and moorland. Its picturesque scenery, diverse wildlife, and range of outdoor activities make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

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Peat Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.401002/-2.3292651 or Grid Reference NY7800. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Little Ing Farm

Anthony Parkes

Moorland below Mallerstang Edge

From where Old Road, a Byway open to all traffic, crosses Elm Gill, an ascent of 180m of a pathless section of the moor leads upwards to the southern end of Mallerstang Edge. This is looking towards the edge from near the start of the climb.

Andy Waddington

Below Rowantree Cove looking across to Wild Boar Fell

Partway up the pathless climb from the easy Old Road (a Byway open to all traffic) to the southern end of Mallerstang Edge, views start to open up across the Eden Valley towards Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell.

Andy Waddington

Cairn on Hangingstone Scar

The map suggests a number of cairns hereabouts, but this rather elegantly-built one was the only one currently in evidence, in an apparently rather random spot on the edge just west of the path along Mallerstang Edge. There are quite a few cairns and piles of stones (the map makes a distinction between these categories, but it is far from clear why) scattered across the plateau, only a small number of which are on summits or other topographic features of note, so perhaps they mark boundaries of some sort.

Andy Waddington

Old Road crosses Elm Gill

Old Road runs from the Thrang right round to the junction of Cotterdale with Wensleydale, a distance of over 11.5 kilometres, with often fine views, but doesn't seem to be anywhere near as popular with off-road drivers and trail bikes as some of the BOATs in the dales. The point where it crosses Elm Gill was the spot where we had chosen (well, the dog didn't actually get a vote) to leave the track to ascend to the southern end of Mallerstang Edge. There don't seem to be any actual paths up the CROW Access Land, so the choice is a little arbitrary, but our route reached the beginnings of a faint path on the ridge in three quarters of a kilometre with 180m of ascent.

Andy Waddington

Hangingstone Scar

David Robinson

Ford Above Hazelgill

This Pennine Bridleway ford is found beside the Settle to Carlisle Railway above Hazelgill.

John Walton

Hangingstone Scar

Mallerstang Edge.

steven ruffles

Cairn on High Seat

High Seat is a name that occurs a number of times in the hill country of northern England; this one is at the crest of ground above Mallerstang Edge. The cairn is not quite at the summit of High Seat but a little to the north of it. Rogan's Seat on the north side of Swaledale lies in the distance; the sheet of water is Birkdale Tarn.

Trevor Littlewood

Archy Styrigg

A rash of gritstone boulders encountered on the way to Gregory Chapel, one of the high points of Mallerstang Edge. In the background are Wild Boar Fell (right) and Swarth Fell.

Karl and Ali

Cairn on Gregory Chapel (695m)

One of a number of cairns that line the old county boundary between Yorkshire and Westmorland (nowadays Cumbria and North Yorkshire). It is also the current boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ironically, the mountain in the background - Wild Boar Fell, one of the finest in the Pennines - is outwith the park.

Karl and Ali

The northerly cairn on High Seat

Not quite the highest point but located on the northern edge of the gentle summit dome. The view is of an endless expanse of snow-speckled moorland extending towards Nine Standards Rigg and the distant North Pennines.

Karl and Ali

East of Mallerstang Edge

Moorland above Mallerstang Edge, viewed in early April during a break in snow flurries.

William Starkey

Moorland south of Gregory Chapel

South of Gregory Chapel, Archy Styrigg broadens into a wide and gently sloping moorland forming the headwaters of Hellgill Beck. Hugh Seat, the nearest rise, doesn't form much of a landmark, and Great Shunner Fell seems small and distant.

Andy Waddington

Gregory Chapel

One of the few cairns actually on a topographic feature on the Mallerstang Edge plateau, Gregory Chapel is described on the map as a "pile of stones" rather than a cairn. Physically, it appears no different from what I have always called cairns, so is the distinction one of purpose rather than form? It is certainly visible from a distance, as long as one is already atop the summit ridge - but the top is so rounded and so far from the gritstone edge overlooking the Eden Valley that it would certainly not be visible from there. However, at least the bracing March weather gives better visibility than on my visit at midsummer NY8000 : Gregory Chapel.

Andy Waddington