Barron's Pike

Heritage Site in Cumberland Carlisle

England

Barron's Pike

Black Preston in view The end point of a short Cumbrian walk is in view. Spadeadam Forest can be noted in the distance.

This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21. — Black Preston in view Credit: James T M Towill

Barron's Pike, located in Cumberland, is a renowned heritage site that holds significant historical and cultural value. This site is a testament to the rich heritage and captivating history of the region.

Barron's Pike is a massive limestone formation that stands prominently on the landscape, reaching a height of approximately 200 feet. It is believed to have been formed millions of years ago through natural geological processes. The pike's unique shape and impressive size make it a distinctive landmark in the Cumberland area.

The site has a deep historical connection, with evidence pointing to its use as a lookout point by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. It is speculated that the Pike provided an advantageous vantage point for hunting, defense, and observation.

Over the years, Barron's Pike has also served as an important landmark for early European settlers in the area. It was named after an early settler, Barron, who used the pike as a reference point to navigate the surrounding terrain.

Today, Barron's Pike is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, geologists, and history buffs alike. Visitors can admire the grandeur of the limestone formation, take in the breathtaking views from its elevated position, and explore the surrounding natural beauty.

The site is easily accessible, with well-maintained trails leading up to the pike. Interpretive signs and information boards provide visitors with historical and geological insights, enhancing the educational experience.

Barron's Pike stands as a remarkable testament to the deep-rooted history of Cumberland and serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between humans and their environment throughout the ages.

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Barron's Pike Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.0693/-2.6344 or Grid Reference NY5975. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Black Preston in view

The end point of a short Cumbrian walk is in view. Spadeadam Forest can be noted in the distance. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

James T M Towill

Bewcastle Hammer on Black Preston

'Bewcastle Hammer' is the name given by another Geograph contributor to this installation on Black Preston. Retreating valley fog can be noted in the distance. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

James T M Towill

Herdwick sheep on Black Preston

All manner of noises were used to get this part of a flock of Herdwick sheep to look at the camera: mixed results in the end! This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

James T M Towill

White Preston from Black Preston

Rather bleak grazing moorland punctuated by a couple of minor summits. White Preston features some communications infrastructure for RAF Spadeadam. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

James T M Towill

Millennium Cairn on Black Preston

Erected by a local farmer to commemorate his family's link to this land. A beautiful view of this corner of Cumbria can be obtained after the short climb from the nearby track. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

James T M Towill

Side Fell towards Spadeadam

Andrew Curtis

Pond on Green's Burn

Andrew Curtis

Moorland near Gilbert's Hill

Andrew Curtis

Crags near Barron's Pike

Andrew Curtis

Large boulder at Barron's Pike

Runic inscriptions were described on rock faces on Hazelgill Crag and Barron's Pike and the locations are still shown on modern maps. They were supposed to have been discovered by a shepherd, in 1872 and 1864 respectively. They were revealed in 1929 to be forgeries of the mid-19th century. On Barron's Pike at grid reference NY59647508, close to the location shown here, there are said to be four rows of runic characters carved on the west face of a massive outcrop boulder. However, I could see nothing clearly resembling artificial markings on any of the faces of this large boulder, or on other smaller rocks in the vicinity. The west face of the boulder NY5975 : Is this the inscribed rock at Barron's Pike?, just below a major horizontal crack, does appear to be naturally 'ruled' into four equal lines, although if this location is correct, the runes themselves have disappeared, possibly through weathering. Pastscape Monument No. 12868: Link

Archive Link

The Runes of Bewcastle: Link

Andrew Curtis

Is this the inscribed rock at Barron's Pike?

I am wondering if the (fake) runic inscription recorded on at the west face of a massive boulder at Barron's Pike could have been on the boulder shown in the centre of this photo. Four lines of runic script were described and could have been on the part of the flat surface directly below the horizontal crack. However, I could see no evidence of inscribed lines which may have been eroded away although might be detectable in ideal light conditions or by rubbing. See description here NY5975 : Large boulder at Barron's Pike Update from January 2018: An email correspondent from the Bewcastle area recently sent me a very fine photo showing the boulder and the runic inscriptions. From their photo it is apparent that the carved boulder is not the one shown here in the foreground but that just to its right along the slope, with the pointed top. The inscriptions are on the surface, in deep shadow in my photo, just below the point. The Runes of Bewcastle: Link

Andrew Curtis

Side Fell west of Barron's Pike

The wall running down the slope separates heather moorland (left) from a recently clear-felled forest plantation (right). The location is close to the Roman Signal Station on Barron's Pike, close to the forest on the right side of the wall just above the photographer. It was built to have a view down to the Roman Fort in Bewcastle.

Andrew Curtis

Barron's Pike

View towards Spadeadam.

Andrew Curtis

Earthworks at Barron's Pike

Earthwork remains now considered to be of a Roman Signal Station although previously described as a ditched bowl barrow (tumulus). In 1989, a section was cut across the ditch which was shown to be cut through rock and of a typical V-shaped Roman military plan, 2.70m wide by 1.10m deep. The ditch is crossed by a turf-covered causeway, 2.0m wide, situated on the west side and visible in the foreground of this photo. The enclosure is of oval to sub-rectangular shape, about 17m by 12m, and surrounds a flat earthen platform. Pastscape: Link

Archive Link

Andrew Curtis

Warning notice by track into Spadeadam

A second notice has been added to the 'Prohibited Place' sign NY5975 : Track entering RAF Spadeadam. It explicitly warns of military (and agricultural) vehicles, sudden loud noise, lasers, troop training, low flying aircraft, and, worse of all, deer! A radar tower located at the Spadeadam site on Greymare Hill is just visible on the centre skyline NY6174 : Tower, Spadeadam Forest RAF Spadeadam is the home of the 9000 acre Electronic Warfare Tactics Range. The Norwegian firm, DNV GL, also uses the site for industrial hazard testing, including fire and the destruction of pipelines. Two loud explosions which echoed around the hills while I was in this area were probably this more benign industrial testing.

Andrew Curtis

Forest track near Barron's Pike

Looking north-west towards Hazelgill Crag.

Andrew Curtis

Forest track near Hazelgill Crag

View south-east towards Barron's Pike.

Andrew Curtis

Hazelgill Crag

Hazelgill Crags is a second location in the area for a rock inscribed with runes. The other is at Barron's Pike NY5975 : Is this the inscribed rock at Barron's Pike?. They were supposed to have been discovered by a shepherd, in 1872 and 1864 respectively. They are believed to be forgeries of the mid-19th century. At Hazelgill Crags, the inscription, comprising one row of characters, is described as being visible on the north-west face of a cleft in the natural rock outcrop. A large quarry has been opened up behind the crags NY5976 : Quarry at Hazelgill Crag

Andrew Curtis

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Barron's Pike is located at Grid Ref: NY5975 (Lat: 55.0693, Lng: -2.6344)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Carlisle

Police Authority: Cumbria