Broom Fell: 510.2m Height, Walks and Summit Views

Broom Fell is a grassy summit on the ridge between Lord's Seat and Graystones, with a substantial stone cairn giving its rounded top a clear identity. At 510.2 metres, it belongs to the lower reaches of the North Western Fells, but its outlook reaches well beyond them. Its appeal lies in open moorland, connected ridge walking and the contrast between nearby forest and exposed fell.

A rounded fell with a distinctive summit cairn

Broom Fell is defined more by its ridge and open slopes than by any dramatic rock face. Its summit stands at 510.2 metres, or 1,674 feet, at grid reference NY195270. A tall stone cairn and a stone shelter mark the top, providing a recognisable focal point on otherwise rounded, grassy ground. These modest summit features are more characteristic of Broom Fell than the crags and gullies associated with Lakeland's higher fells.

The fell lies west of Lord's Seat, with Graystones farther along the ridge to the west. The wider setting combines open upland with the forestry around Whinlatter. That contrast is part of the character of walking here: woodland occupies much of the surrounding landscape, while the summit itself offers space and an unobstructed sense of the neighbouring ridges.

Broom Fell in the North Western Fells

Wainwright included Broom Fell in Book Six, The North Western Fells. It ranks 169th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. This is the lower northern part of the group, rather than the higher country around Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike and the Coledale fells. Lord's Seat, Whinlatter, Sale Fell and Ling Fell are all neighbouring Wainwrights, giving this corner of Lakeland plenty of scope for linking summits.

Broom Fell is commonly included in ridge walks with Lord's Seat and Graystones, rather than treated solely as an isolated ascent. Whinlatter and the Wythop area feature in approaches to this group of fells, although the length and character of a day depend on the chosen circuit. Dedicated route guides are worth consulting: the modest summit height does not remove the need to judge distance, ground conditions and the weather.

Views beyond the wooded slopes

The summit outlook helps explain why this relatively low Wainwright rewards a visit. Skiddaw is a prominent presence to the east, while the higher North Western Fells give weight to the southern skyline. Northwards, the landscape opens towards the coastal plain and the Solway Firth, with the Scottish hills visible in clear conditions.

Broom Fell's particular appeal is this meeting of landscapes. From one summit, the eye moves between wooded slopes, open fell ridges and country stretching away from the central Lakes. It is not a fell with a famous scrambling ridge or a lakeside profile; its distinctive cairn, broad outlook and place in a satisfying ridge walk are its better-known strengths.

Where Broom Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY195270 · open full map

The real Broom Fell

Walking Broom Fell

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

• Lake District Walk: Graystones, Broom Fell, and Lord's Seat (walklakes.co.uk)
• Broom Fell Route One (wainwrightroutes.co.uk)
• Graystones, Broom Fell and Lord's Seat (wainwrightwalking.co.uk)

Weather on Broom Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (510 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Broom Fell on your wall

A painting of Broom Fell can hold onto the quieter side of Lakeland: the summit cairn, the open ridge and the changing colour of distant fells. At home, those familiar shapes offer a lasting connection to a walk that need not reach the highest tops to stay with you.

Own “Conifer Shadows on Broom Fell” — our painting of Broom Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Lord's Seat 552 m
• Whinlatter 517 m
• Sale Fell 359 m
• Ling Fell 374 m

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