Big Hill

Hill, Mountain in Lancashire South Lakeland

England

Big Hill

Coniston village sign This road sign on the A593 was erected by Lancashire County Council, pre-dating the formation of Cumbria in 1974 which incorporated that part of Lancashire north of Morecambe Bay.
Located at Park Gate, the sign is unusually far from the village, being almost 1.6km (1 mile) south of the centre of Coniston. — Coniston village sign Credit: Adrian Taylor

Big Hill is a prominent geographic feature located in the county of Lancashire, England. As the name suggests, it is a large hill that stands prominently in the landscape, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Situated in the western part of Lancashire, Big Hill is part of the Pennine range, a series of hills and mountains that stretch across northern England.

Rising to an elevation of approximately 450 meters (1,480 feet), Big Hill is a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers. Its rugged terrain and challenging inclines make it an ideal spot for those seeking a rewarding physical challenge. The hill is known for its diverse flora and fauna, with a variety of plant species and wildlife inhabiting its slopes.

The summit of Big Hill provides breathtaking vistas, showcasing the rolling hills, lush valleys, and picturesque villages that dot the Lancashire countryside. On a clear day, one can even catch a glimpse of the Irish Sea in the distance. The hill is also home to several ancient landmarks, including prehistoric burial mounds and stone circles, which add an element of historical intrigue to the area.

Due to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Big Hill attracts visitors from both near and far. It offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in the tranquility of nature. Whether it be for a leisurely stroll, a challenging hike, or simply to enjoy the awe-inspiring views, Big Hill remains a cherished destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Big Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.367864/-3.1042912 or Grid Reference SD2897. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Coniston village sign

This road sign on the A593 was erected by Lancashire County Council, pre-dating the formation of Cumbria in 1974 which incorporated that part of Lancashire north of Morecambe Bay. Located at Park Gate, the sign is unusually far from the village, being almost 1.6km (1 mile) south of the centre of Coniston.

Adrian Taylor

Pasture south of Coniston

Park coppice behind and Grizedale Forest on the hills

Eirian Evans

The Coniston Branch near Park Gate

Now only used by walkers and sheep, this is the route of the former Furness Railway branch line from Foxfield to Coniston. The last passenger service ran on 4 October 1958 with a final enthusiasts’ special train on the 27 August 1961. The last freight train ran during the week ending 29 April 1962 and the track was lifted early in 1963.

Adrian Taylor

Goat's Water from Dow Crag

View down Easter Gully to Goat’s Water from near the summit of Dow Crag.

Adrian Taylor

Roughly grassed field at Dixon Ground

Dixon Ground is an area of land lying west of Coniston. The view here is from the publicly accessible part of the Walna Scar Road which has risen from the village. The steep, broken slope beyond lies across Church Beck and rises ultimately to Wetherlam.

Trevor Littlewood

Irish Cottages, Coppermines Valley

Irish Cottages in the valley of Church Beck is a terrace of houses above Coniston; two of them together form a climbing hut of the Yorkshire Mountaineering Club. The gravel flats through the centre of the image are where the Church Beck flows and winds.

Trevor Littlewood

Spoil terrace with ruined building

A view from the 'Quarries Route', the main ascent path for the Old Man of Coniston. The grassed / mossed-over terrace of spoil is a very small one compared to a number of others along the way. Wetherlam is the mountain in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Crag rim at summit area of Coniston Old Man

Snow residues lie at the edge of broken ground at the summit of the mountain. The crag rim and broad ridge extend initially to the north-west before turning north. The Scafell group of mountains lie in the distance at the centre of the image.

Trevor Littlewood

Boulders at shore of Goat's Water

Goat's Water lies between two mountains of the Coniston group. The Old Man of Coniston rises unseen to the right, Dow Crag, to the left, across the lake. Goat's Hause is the col in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Walna Scar Road stream crossing

A well constructed, stone-built feature allowing Hussey Well Beck to flow across the Walna Scar Road without causing undue erosion to its surface.

Trevor Littlewood

Road heading for Coppermines Valley

The valley is actually that of Church Beck but is popularly known as the Coppermines Valley because of the extensive disused mine workings there. The road is private but is used to access accommodation in the valley including houses, a youth hostel and two climbing club huts. The road is also a public footpath. Coniston Old Man is the mountain seen against the sky.

Trevor Littlewood

Slope with minor rock outcrops

The near slope is close to the feature named on OS maps as Flat Bield and is separated from the camera location by a steep stream groove. The valley beyond it is Red Dell. The sunlit rockface at the centre of the image and beyond Red Dell is Kennel Crag, sometimes known as Kernel Crag.

Trevor Littlewood

Large rocks at eastern shore of Levers Water

Levers Water is an enlarged tarn, dammed to create a greater volume of water for the generation of power for use in the mines below. The dam can be seen in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Settling tanks at Bonsor upper mill

The series of shallow depressions near to the Coppermines Youth Hostel is named as 'tanks' in the 1969 volume, 'Industrial Archaeology of the Lake Counties' - Marshall & Davies-Shiel. It's supposed that they were settling tanks in which small particles of rock etc. would be allowed to fall to the bottom before the then clearer water would be allowed to flow down to Coniston in the valley below.

Trevor Littlewood

Coppermines Cottage

In the past, when copper was being mined, the cottage was occupied by a mine official, presumably the site manager. In 1958 it was acquired by the Barrow Mountaineering and Ski Club which still uses it as a club hut.

Trevor Littlewood

Have you paid and displayed?

The 'waste ground' here at the end of the publicly motorable stretch of the Walna Scar Road was for years accepted as a free car parking area for visitors and walkers, the photographer has used it a number of times in the past. Now, (early 2022), the Rydal estate levies a charge of £8 for all day parking! There are no facilities, no surfacing to the area, in fact no improvement to the space other than the embedding of a few logs to demarcate some spaces. As can be seen, at least one vehicle has even had to be parked with the driver's side of it including the driver's exit, in a flood!

Trevor Littlewood

Path rising towards Goat's Hause

The path is partly constructed using rocks set into the ground to minimise erosion. More work on the route seems to be planned - along the path line, below the image centre there are bagged boulders awaiting use to improve or repair the way. Goat's Hause is the obvious dip on the horizon.

Trevor Littlewood