Barrow: Height (455m), Walks and Views near Braithwaite

Barrow is a grassy fell above Braithwaite, standing between Coledale and the Newlands valley. At 455m, it is modest beside the higher north-western fells, but its open summit gives it a generous outlook towards Derwentwater, Skiddaw and the surrounding ridges. Walkers value it for an ascent that need not fill a whole day, and for the close view it offers of much bigger fell country.

A grassy ridge above Braithwaite

Barrow has a straightforward shape: an elongated, largely grassy ridge rising above the village of Braithwaite. It forms part of the divide between Coledale and the Newlands valley, with the higher fells gathering behind it. Unlike nearby Causey Pike, whose distinctive summit catches the eye from across the district, Barrow has a softer outline. Its character comes from the length of its ridge and the openness of its slopes rather than a dramatic summit crag.

The summit stands at 455m, or 1,493ft, at grid reference NY227218. Beyond it, the ridge drops to the saddle of Barrow Door, separating Barrow from Stile End. This connection helps explain why the fell works both as a destination in its own right and as part of a longer walk among its neighbours.

Views across the northern Lakes

Barrow's position near the outer edge of the north-western fells gives its summit views a useful balance. There is open country towards Keswick and the Skiddaw massif, while Derwentwater lies beyond the Newlands side. Blencathra is another prominent landmark. These are not distant glimpses from a confined hollow: the open summit lets walkers see how the valleys, lake and surrounding fells fit together.

Closer at hand, Causey Pike and Outerside give the view a more enclosed, upland character. The neighbouring ridges rise well above Barrow, making it a good place to appreciate their profiles without standing on them. Its appeal is less about any single celebrated feature than the breadth of the outlook from a comparatively low summit.

Barrow among the Wainwrights

Barrow appears in The North Western Fells, Book Six of Alfred Wainwright's pictorial guides. It ranks 187th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Nearby Wainwrights include Outerside, Causey Pike, Scar Crags and Cat Bells, placing it within a particularly well-known area of Lakeland walking.

Braithwaite is a familiar starting point for Barrow walks, and an outing combining Barrow with Outerside is an established option. There is no need to tackle the higher ridges to enjoy this corner of the district. Barrow offers a shorter fell day with a clear summit objective, though its exposed upper ground still calls for suitable clothing, navigation and attention to the forecast.

Where Barrow stands

Summit at grid reference NY227218 · open full map

The real Barrow

Walking Barrow

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Barrow

Conditions estimated at summit height (455 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Barrow on your wall

A painting of Barrow can bring back the quieter details of a familiar fell day: the long grassy ridge, the open sky and the higher fells beyond. As a print or canvas at home, that recognisable outline keeps a little of the north-western Lakes in view.

Own “Blue Shadows On Barrow Ridge” — our painting of Barrow → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Causey Pike 637 m
• Outerside 568 m
• Scar Crags 672 m
• Cat Bells 451 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.