Beck Head

Settlement in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

Beck Head

Stall by the car park Walk over Whitbarrow and purchase a postcard or a local walks booklet. — Stall by the car park Credit: Karl and Ali

Beck Head is a small village located in the county of Westmorland, England. Situated in the picturesque Lake District National Park, it is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and offers a tranquil and idyllic setting for residents and visitors alike.

The village is nestled in a valley, with rolling hills and lush green meadows as far as the eye can see. The beck, from which the village takes its name, flows gently through the village, adding to its charm. The sound of running water provides a soothing backdrop to daily life in Beck Head.

The architecture of the village is predominantly traditional, with many stone cottages and farmhouses dating back several centuries. These historic buildings are well-preserved and give the village a timeless feel. The community takes great pride in maintaining the village's character and heritage.

Despite its small size, Beck Head has a strong sense of community. The residents are friendly and welcoming, and there is a close-knit atmosphere. The village has a local pub where locals and tourists can gather, share stories, and enjoy a pint or a traditional meal.

The surrounding countryside offers a plethora of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Hiking, cycling, and fishing are popular pastimes, with numerous trails and paths to explore. The nearby lakes provide opportunities for boating and water sports, attracting visitors from far and wide.

Overall, Beck Head is a charming and picturesque village, perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape amidst the beauty of the Lake District.

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Beck Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.254779/-2.853402 or Grid Reference SD4484. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Stall by the car park Walk over Whitbarrow and purchase a postcard or a local walks booklet.

Stall by the car park

Walk over Whitbarrow and purchase a postcard or a local walks booklet.

Anastice, Whitbarrow Most of the eastern side of Whitbarrow is heavily wooded. There are a few tracks which penetrate the broken limestone upland but they are overgrown, particularly in the summer. The curiously named Anastice area overlooks a structural valley created by the dipping limestone strata. The place has a very &#039;Lost World&#039; feel about it and a fly-by of pterodactyls wouldn&#039;t seem out of place here.

Anastice, Whitbarrow

Most of the eastern side of Whitbarrow is heavily wooded. There are a few tracks which penetrate the broken limestone upland but they are overgrown, particularly in the summer. The curiously named Anastice area overlooks a structural valley created by the dipping limestone strata. The place has a very 'Lost World' feel about it and a fly-by of pterodactyls wouldn't seem out of place here.

Cattle grazing at Low Fell End Cattle graze the low-lying pastures below the abrupt <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2475255">SD4584 : Millside Scar, Whitbarrow</a>

Cattle grazing at Low Fell End

Cattle graze the low-lying pastures below the abrupt SD4584 : Millside Scar, Whitbarrow

Interior of derelict building below White Scar The building was probably part of the quarrying operation which removed talus from the flank of White Scar.

Interior of derelict building below White Scar

The building was probably part of the quarrying operation which removed talus from the flank of White Scar.

Looking south from Whitbarrow The very southern end of Whitbarrow forms a prow of limestone looming abruptly over the flat pastures and wetlands (Bellart and Foulshaw Mosses, recently colonised by nesting ospreys) bordering the Kent estuary. Immediately below is the farm of Low Fell End. Across the estuary is Arnside Knott (right), with Warton Crag further left and the Bowland moors rising beyond. There is a considerable crag below known to rock climbers as <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2475255">SD4584 : Millside Scar, Whitbarrow</a>

Looking south from Whitbarrow

The very southern end of Whitbarrow forms a prow of limestone looming abruptly over the flat pastures and wetlands (Bellart and Foulshaw Mosses, recently colonised by nesting ospreys) bordering the Kent estuary. Immediately below is the farm of Low Fell End. Across the estuary is Arnside Knott (right), with Warton Crag further left and the Bowland moors rising beyond. There is a considerable crag below known to rock climbers as SD4584 : Millside Scar, Whitbarrow

Limestone outcrop, Whitbarrow &#039;Whitbarrow&#039; means &#039;white hill&#039; and when the sun shines on outcrops on the open ridge, it&#039;s easy to see why. Dark mats of low-growing juniper reflect the exposed location.

Limestone outcrop, Whitbarrow

'Whitbarrow' means 'white hill' and when the sun shines on outcrops on the open ridge, it's easy to see why. Dark mats of low-growing juniper reflect the exposed location.

Wind-pruned yew, Whitbarrow The upper part of this yew tree growing in a corner of the limestone scar has been pruned by the prevailing wind.

Wind-pruned yew, Whitbarrow

The upper part of this yew tree growing in a corner of the limestone scar has been pruned by the prevailing wind.

Overhangs on Slape Scar The overhangs of this limestone scar resemble a frozen breaking wave about 10m high. There are about 50 rock climbs of all grades spread along the cliff.

Overhangs on Slape Scar

The overhangs of this limestone scar resemble a frozen breaking wave about 10m high. There are about 50 rock climbs of all grades spread along the cliff.

Immortalised in a flash they forever seek the fox... Hanging on the wall in the Derby Arms at Witherslack we have this picture depicting the Peel tradition; fell boots, fox hounds and a red coat.It was years since I visited this public house and this was the picture I came to see. Here we have &quot;Chappie&quot;, an iconic hunt leader who was known the length and breadth of the Lake District for his prowess and unique mastery of the hounds and fox hunting. I followed this hunt in 1974 and 1977 and felt privileged to do so. Things have moved on and in a packed Derby Arms it felt strange to be part of an historic photograph amidst a throng of locals, the majority of whom would not even notice the picture or have a clue that such occasions represented the essence of Lakeland life.

Immortalised in a flash they forever seek the fox...

Hanging on the wall in the Derby Arms at Witherslack we have this picture depicting the Peel tradition; fell boots, fox hounds and a red coat.It was years since I visited this public house and this was the picture I came to see. Here we have "Chappie", an iconic hunt leader who was known the length and breadth of the Lake District for his prowess and unique mastery of the hounds and fox hunting. I followed this hunt in 1974 and 1977 and felt privileged to do so. Things have moved on and in a packed Derby Arms it felt strange to be part of an historic photograph amidst a throng of locals, the majority of whom would not even notice the picture or have a clue that such occasions represented the essence of Lakeland life.

Beck Head rising A charming stream rising which gives the scatter of cottages at Beck Head its name. It was explored in 1994 by the Cave Diving Group &#039;at right end of cliff low passage leads to 0.6m high and 1m wide submerged bedding. Upstream is a squeeze at 90m and a partial choke at 130m&#039; (&#039;Northern Caves 3&#039;, Dalesman Pub Co Ltd, 1994). The water probably drains from Whitbarrow, the big limestone hill above to the north. One possible feeder may be <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4620789">SD4487 : Wakebarrow Pot entrance, Whitbarrow</a> which, if connected, would yield a cave system of around 125m in depth.

Beck Head rising

A charming stream rising which gives the scatter of cottages at Beck Head its name. It was explored in 1994 by the Cave Diving Group 'at right end of cliff low passage leads to 0.6m high and 1m wide submerged bedding. Upstream is a squeeze at 90m and a partial choke at 130m' ('Northern Caves 3', Dalesman Pub Co Ltd, 1994). The water probably drains from Whitbarrow, the big limestone hill above to the north. One possible feeder may be SD4487 : Wakebarrow Pot entrance, Whitbarrow which, if connected, would yield a cave system of around 125m in depth.

Witherslack Hall This imposing Victorian house was built for Lord Derby in 1874 and is Grade II listed <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-77132-witherslack-hall-and-attached-outbuilding#.VsNKY0CHNI4" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-77132-witherslack-hall-and-attached-outbuilding#.VsNKY0CHNI4">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> It is currently run as a school.

Witherslack Hall

This imposing Victorian house was built for Lord Derby in 1874 and is Grade II listed Link

It is currently run as a school.

White Scar, Whitbarrow The great buttress of White Scar forms the southern escarpment of Whitbarrow. It is one of the most impressive limestone crags in the UK and home to several high standard rock climbs. Since access is currently banned and actually reaching the foot of the climbs is fraught with danger, these have never become popular.

White Scar, Whitbarrow

The great buttress of White Scar forms the southern escarpment of Whitbarrow. It is one of the most impressive limestone crags in the UK and home to several high standard rock climbs. Since access is currently banned and actually reaching the foot of the climbs is fraught with danger, these have never become popular.

Beck Head rising (2) A charming stream rising which gives the scatter of cottages at Beck Head its name. It was explored in 1994 by the Cave Diving Group &#039;at right end of cliff low passage leads to 0.6m high and 1m wide submerged bedding. Upstream is a squeeze at 90m and a partial choke at 130m&#039; (&#039;Northern Caves 3&#039;, Dalesman Pub Co Ltd, 1994). The water probably drains from Whitbarrow, the big limestone hill above to the north. One possible feeder may be <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4620789">SD4487 : Wakebarrow Pot entrance, Whitbarrow</a> which, if connected, would yield a cave system of around 125m in depth.

Beck Head rising (2)

A charming stream rising which gives the scatter of cottages at Beck Head its name. It was explored in 1994 by the Cave Diving Group 'at right end of cliff low passage leads to 0.6m high and 1m wide submerged bedding. Upstream is a squeeze at 90m and a partial choke at 130m' ('Northern Caves 3', Dalesman Pub Co Ltd, 1994). The water probably drains from Whitbarrow, the big limestone hill above to the north. One possible feeder may be SD4487 : Wakebarrow Pot entrance, Whitbarrow which, if connected, would yield a cave system of around 125m in depth.

Limestone grassland on Yewbarrow The low limestone spur of Yewbarrow is mainly wooded but, on the highest part, is open grassland with a scattering of outcrops. It&#039;s a fine viewpoint, here looking beyond the neighbouring ridge of Whitbarrow to the distant fells of the Yorkshire Dales. In early summer it&#039;s alive with wild flowers and herbs.

Limestone grassland on Yewbarrow

The low limestone spur of Yewbarrow is mainly wooded but, on the highest part, is open grassland with a scattering of outcrops. It's a fine viewpoint, here looking beyond the neighbouring ridge of Whitbarrow to the distant fells of the Yorkshire Dales. In early summer it's alive with wild flowers and herbs.

Wind-bent tree, Whitbarrow One of a number of remarkable yew trees shaped by the prevailing wind on the escarpment on top of Whitbarrow. In the distance is the dark ridge of Gummer&#039;s How which overlooks the foot of Windermere.

Wind-bent tree, Whitbarrow

One of a number of remarkable yew trees shaped by the prevailing wind on the escarpment on top of Whitbarrow. In the distance is the dark ridge of Gummer's How which overlooks the foot of Windermere.

Track on Farrer's Allotment, Whitbarrow The track descends through light woodland into one of the dry valleys that are incised into the &#039;lost world&#039; of the Whitbarrow limestone massif.

Track on Farrer's Allotment, Whitbarrow

The track descends through light woodland into one of the dry valleys that are incised into the 'lost world' of the Whitbarrow limestone massif.

The bedding plane slab below White Scar Heading up the tilted slab exposed by quarrying of the scree slope that once formed the slope below the limestone scar. It might be a skateboarders heaven?

The bedding plane slab below White Scar

Heading up the tilted slab exposed by quarrying of the scree slope that once formed the slope below the limestone scar. It might be a skateboarders heaven?

Cottages at Beck Head A pretty terrace of cottages overlooking the rising which gives the hamlet its name. Beyond, is the very steep, wooded flank of Whitbarrow.

Cottages at Beck Head

A pretty terrace of cottages overlooking the rising which gives the hamlet its name. Beyond, is the very steep, wooded flank of Whitbarrow.

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Beck Head is located at Grid Ref: SD4484 (Lat: 54.254779, Lng: -2.853402)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: South Lakeland

Police Authority: Cumbria

What 3 Words

///approvals.skillet.trucks. Near Arnside, Cumbria

Nearby Locations

Mill Side Beck Head

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.254779,-2.853402

Barrier: stile

Lat/Long: 54.2547222/-2.8597199

Barrier: kissing_gate

Lat/Long: 54.2541301/-2.8524006

Barrier: stile

Lat/Long: 54.2552182/-2.8496902

Barrier: kissing_gate

Lat/Long: 54.2516544/-2.8537023

Cafe

Hiker's Rest Self-service Cafe

Lat/Long: 54.2559251/-2.8543638

Beck Head

Place: hamlet

Wikidata: Q4878602

Lat/Long: 54.2549051/-2.8515877

Barrier: stile

Lat/Long: 54.2560426/-2.8548148

Barrier: stile

Lat/Long: 54.2557267/-2.856526

Barrier: stile

Lat/Long: 54.2552577/-2.8583442

Bicycle Rental

Capacity: 4

Fee: yes

Network: Morecambe Bay eBike Network

Operator: Witherslack Cycle Barn Bunk House

Operator Type: community

Lat/Long: 54.2542982/-2.8524282

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 54.2564229/-2.8520299

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 54.2562517/-2.8534757

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 54.256338/-2.8549165

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 54.2564229/-2.8563623

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 54.2564859/-2.8574799

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 54.2575339/-2.8580938

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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