Long Crag

Hill, Mountain in Lancashire South Lakeland

England

Long Crag

Underground workings Tilberthwaite Deep Level
These rails were discovered by mine explorers after they had cleared through a roof fall that had caused the original mine to shut down. All the tunnels before this point have had all their rails removed, this was often the case when mining companies were trying to recoup lost revenue (basically sell off all their equipment). — Underground workings Credit: Matthew Hatton

Long Crag is a prominent hill located in Lancashire, England. It lies within the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, approximately 5 miles northeast of the town of Clitheroe. With an elevation of 448 meters (1,470 feet), Long Crag stands as one of the highest points in the region.

The hill is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, covered in thick heather and grasses that change color with the seasons. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the vast expanse of the Forest of Bowland, the Bowland Fells, and the Ribble Valley. On clear days, it is even possible to see as far as the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

Long Crag is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hikers and walkers, who are drawn to its challenging trails and stunning vistas. The hill is accessible via a network of footpaths and bridleways, which meander through the picturesque countryside. Along the way, visitors may encounter various wildlife species, such as red grouse, curlews, and mountain hares, adding to the area's natural charm.

The hill's remote location and unspoiled landscape make it an ideal spot for nature lovers seeking tranquility and solitude. Its beauty and biodiversity have also led to its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest to protect its unique flora and fauna.

In conclusion, Long Crag in Lancashire offers a captivating combination of rugged terrain, breathtaking views, and abundant wildlife, making it an appealing destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a connection with nature.

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Long Crag Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.381357/-3.0822506 or Grid Reference SD2998. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Underground workings

Tilberthwaite Deep Level These rails were discovered by mine explorers after they had cleared through a roof fall that had caused the original mine to shut down. All the tunnels before this point have had all their rails removed, this was often the case when mining companies were trying to recoup lost revenue (basically sell off all their equipment).

Matthew Hatton

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

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

Shallow pool on ridge rising to Wetherlam

A broad, lengthy ridge which in its higher reach is fairly featureless rises generally northwards to the Wetherlam summit. There are minor knolls and a tarn or two; this is the more attractive of them. Helvellyn and Fairfield and their satellite mountains are in the distance.

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

Path towards The Old Man Of Coniston

Steven Brown

Minor road near Coniston

Steven Brown

Irish Cottages, Coppermine Valley

In 2022, the foreground buildings, Irish Cottages, were the property of the Yorkshire Mountaineering Club. I am unsure of their status in January 1973 when this image was taken. Mine workings can be seen in the background.

Julian Paren

The head of Coppermine Valley, Coniston

In January 1973 the white building was the Youth Hostel. A track continues beyond here into the Coniston Fells.

Julian Paren

The Air Ambulance on Wetherlam

The Coniston Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) were training at base when the call came for a fell-runner who had slipped on descent, injured his ankle, and could no longer stand. The team attended and carried him down below the cloud. Fortunately a helicopter was available to transport the casualty to Furness General Hospital.

Michael Earnshaw