High Street

Hill, Mountain in Westmorland Eden

England

High Street

High Street is a prominent hill and mountain located in the county of Westmorland, England. Situated in the Lake District National Park, it forms part of the Eastern Fells, an area renowned for its picturesque landscape and outdoor activities.

Rising to an elevation of 828 meters (2,717 feet), High Street boasts an impressive summit with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The name "High Street" derives from the Roman road that once crossed the summit, connecting the forts at Brougham and Ambleside. This historic track is still visible in parts along the mountain's ridge.

High Street is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, offering a variety of routes to suit different abilities. The most common starting point is the picturesque town of Troutbeck, where walkers can follow well-marked paths through beautiful valleys and up to the mountain's summit. Along the way, visitors can expect to encounter stunning alpine flora, cascading waterfalls, and charming stone walls that dot the landscape.

The summit of High Street provides an excellent vantage point to admire the neighboring peaks, including Helvellyn, Fairfield, and the Pennines. On clear days, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of the Irish Sea. The mountain's exposed nature means that weather conditions can change rapidly, so proper equipment and caution are advisable.

In addition to its natural beauty, High Street holds historical significance. The area is scattered with remnants of ancient settlements, including several cairns and stone circles, providing a glimpse into the region's past.

Overall, High Street in Westmorland offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and challenging hiking opportunities, making it a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a connection with the region's rich heritage.

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High Street Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.491668/-2.8648728 or Grid Reference NY4411. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Short Stile and High Street

The broad path leading over the shoulder of High Street is the approximate line of the Roman road linking the important Roman Fort and civil settlement at Brocavum near Penrith with the Cartmel and Low Furness areas. The Roman road almost certainly follows the course of an earlier ridgeway.

Adrian Taylor

Riggindale Crag

Looking down the long Riggindale ridge from the Long Stile end. Always the finest walking route up High Street, unless you happen to be a Roman soldier.

Gordon Hatton

Ascending Riggindale Crag

An ageing 'geograph' contributor on the ascent of High Street via Riggindale Crag. Blea Water and its crag of the same name in the background.

Gordon Hatton

Large summit cairn on The Knott.

A walk up from Hartsop.

steven ruffles

Summit rocks on Kidsty Pike

Looking down into Riggindale.

steven ruffles

Trig pillar on High Street

Highest point of the far eastern fells.

steven ruffles

Small waterfall in Gladgrove Gill

shikari

High Streetâs Roman Road

Or is it? The first reference to a Roman Road over the 828m high fell High Street appeared in a book published in 1814 by John Britton and Edward Wedlake Brayley: ‘The Beauties of England and Wales, Or, Delineations, Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive, of Each County’. In spite of some Victorian excavations, when nothing conclusive was found, the general assumption was that the route connected the Roman forts at Brougham, near Penrith, and Ambleside, suggesting that a likely construction date sometime during the late 1st or early 2nd century A.D. That assumption is still put forward in many tourist information literature including that of the Lake District National Park. An archaeological survey in 2006 in advance of some footpath repairs concluded that the road surface “is not what might be described as typical for the Roman period, but it does have some similarities with other [upland] roads of Roman date”. Lowland Roman Roads were built raised above the general ground level, surfaced with a camber and with ditches either side, to ensure good drainage. In contrast, parts of the route over High Street actually shows signs of being a hollow-way. ‌So basically no evidence has been found that a road over High Street was built by the Romans. There may well have been an existing prehistoric route which may have been used by the Romans. Maybe even repaired by them. The photo shows the route of the “road” as it passes the narrow col of the Straits of Riggindale after traversing Rampsgill Head and before the final climb up to High Street. For sources see my blog Link