Boneson Moss

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

Boneson Moss

Hart Side Bleak moorland with only the plantation on Seavey Rigg drawing the eye. — Hart Side Credit: Karl and Ali

Boneson Moss is a captivating expanse of natural beauty situated in the county of Westmorland, England. Located amidst the Downs and Moorland regions, it spans over a vast area and offers visitors a unique and serene experience. The moss is characterized by its rich vegetation, enchanting landscapes, and diverse wildlife.

The moss’s terrain is predominantly made up of wet, peat-rich soil that supports the growth of various species of mosses, heathers, and grasses. These provide a vibrant display of colors throughout the year, with shades of green, purple, and yellow dominating the landscape. The area is dotted with small pools and streams, adding to the picturesque charm.

Boneson Moss is also home to a plethora of wildlife species, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can spot a wide range of birds, including red grouse, skylarks, and meadow pipits, as well as small mammals like voles and rabbits. The moss is also known for its diverse insect population, with dragonflies and butterflies fluttering around during the warmer months.

The tranquility and unspoiled nature of Boneson Moss make it a popular spot for activities such as hiking and birdwatching. Several walking trails crisscross the area, allowing visitors to explore its hidden corners and take in the breathtaking views. Whether it's the vast open spaces, the unique flora and fauna, or the peaceful ambiance, Boneson Moss offers an unforgettable experience for all who venture into its embrace.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Boneson Moss Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.553067/-2.2389611 or Grid Reference NY8417. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hart Side

Bleak moorland with only the plantation on Seavey Rigg drawing the eye.

Karl and Ali

West Dow Crag

An escarpment with a scattering of gritstone boulders and scree at the eastern edge of Iron Band.

Karl and Ali

The curry stool trig mark on Iron Band

We haven't seen one of these type of trig marks before but the OS say it's at 561.746m asl which is not the highest point on the hill (563m a little to the east). To the north west is Ley Seat (where we are heading later), overtopped by Little Fell (left) and Mickle Fell. The white stick is a marker for a grit tray for the grouse (it helps them digest their heather diet).

Karl and Ali

Heading for Iron Band

Fairly easy going over rough moorland grass on this side. In 2008 we abandoned an approach from the east due to deep heather and soft snow Link

Karl and Ali

Moorland, Mickle Gill

Karl and Ali

Dow Crag

A collection of gritstone boulders and outcrops possibly less impressive than its Lakeland namesake? The fence is the county boundary (Durham beyond, Cumbria this side)

Karl and Ali

Moorland below Dow Crag

Just inside County Durham!

Karl and Ali

Curry stool at Iron Band

Iron Band is a moorland high point south-east of the B6276; it crosses the Pennine watershed between Brough and Teesdale. A Curry stool is an OS feature named so after Corporal Curry of the Royal Engineers. The structure is made from concrete and is in the form of three arms meeting at a centre at angles of 120 degrees. Lying as they do at ground level Curry stools tend to become overgrown and concealed, at least in part as is this example - peat and vegetation were scuffed away by boots to reveal the feature as it was meant to be seen! Nine Curry Stools are known in the UK. and three of them are in the North Pennines; the two other Pennine examples are nearby on Herdship Fell and on Bink Moss. Mickle Fell can be seen distantly to the north.

Trevor Littlewood

Dow Crag from county boundary

The outcropping rocks of Dow Crag are seen from the fence line which marks the Cumbria/County Durham boundary. To the right of the central fence post can be seen a recumbent boundary stone, one of a line of many such stones that marked originally (here at least) the Westmorland/Yorkshire county boundary. The stones were all numbered, the one in view is number 34.

Trevor Littlewood

Boundary stone No. 37

The boundary stone is one of a line of many such stones that marked originally (here at least) the Westmorland/Yorkshire county boundary; it's now the Cumbria/County Durham boundary. The stones are all numbered, the one in view is number 37. The green hill in the middle distance is Ley Seat; behind it is Little Fell and Mickle Fell is distant to the right.

Trevor Littlewood

Farm at Spurrigg End

The farmland at Spurrigg End must surely be considered 'marginal' - OS mapping at 1:25 000 shows that the farm and its immediate environs are surrounded by access land and the altitude of the altitude of the buildings is well above 300 metres.

Trevor Littlewood

Road passing house at Long Crag

The estate and farm road passes Long Crag on the way to the desolate moorland of Stainmore Common. The house was surely once a farmhouse and perhaps it still is though there's no feeling of being close to a working farm when passing there.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland descending towards Powbrand Sike

The grassy moorland in the foreground declines gradually towards the farmland at the buildings of Long Crag; the groove there is Powbrand Sike.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland of Stainmore Common

Stainmore Common is an area of moorland north of the A66. The view here is from an estate road which is heading towards a shooting hut. Presently, OS mapping doesn't show the road which follows the route of a bridleway from North Stainmore but by the time this location is reached that route has been left some way to the south.

Trevor Littlewood

Shooting hut and sheepfold on Stainmore Common

OS mapping currently shows neither the shooting hut nor the road approaching it; the sheepfold is marked. The hut has three rooms, one of which is at the rear and is a relatively crude attachment of metal panels; that room and the left side one in the image are unlocked. On a shoot, those rooms will doubtless be used by grouse beaters. The right side door is secured and the room is surely for the use of the guns.

Trevor Littlewood

Fence with gate on Pind Hill

Pind Hill is a minor feature in the desolation of the moorland along the Cumbria/County Durham boundary; the fence line now marks that boundary which was previously the Westmorland/Yorkshire boundary. The boundary stone standing close to the gate is numbered C16 and is one of a series, every stone being cut with its own number; not all remain visible but most are though they might be toppled or partly sunken into the ground. Most stones have just their deeply cut number to show but the stone on Pind Hill has a capital C too - its significance is not known. See also Link

Trevor Littlewood

Wall descending from west end of Millstone Band

The wall descends from a wall corner at the west end of Millstone Band on Stainmore Common which is an area of desolate moorland to the north of the A66. Millstone Band itself is a minor feature being a steepening of a slope with insignificant amounts of rock protruding; some fallen rock can be seen at the bottom of the image.

Trevor Littlewood

Iron Band

Bagging the curry stool and the summit from the B road wearing my wellies. Name: Iron Band Hill number: 3588 Height: 563m / 1847ft Parent (Ma/M): 2711 Mickle Fell Section: 35A: The Northern Pennines Area: North Pennines - Western Fells County/UA: Cumbria (CoU) Class: Dewey Grid ref: NY 83736 18802 Summit feature: no feature Drop: 80m Col: 483m NY828197

Rude Health

Show me another place!

Boneson Moss is located at Grid Ref: NY8417 (Lat: 54.553067, Lng: -2.2389611)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Eden

Police Authority: Cumbria