Grange Fell: Height, Walks and Views above Borrowdale

Grange Fell is a compact, craggy fell on the eastern side of Borrowdale, where woodland gives way to heather and rocky tops. At 417.2m, it offers far more variety than its height might suggest. Brund Fell is its highest point, while King's How is a distinct western top with fine views towards Derwentwater. The appeal lies in that mixture of sheltered woodland and open fell.

A fell of woodland, heather and rocky tops

Grange Fell rises east of the village of Grange, between Borrowdale and the valley of Watendlath. Rather than a single, neatly defined peak, it is an irregular upland of crags, hollows and separate tops. Brund Fell forms the highest point at 417.2m (1,369ft), with the summit grid reference NY264162. King's How stands farther west, overlooking the main dale.

That broken shape is central to its character. Trees clothe much of the lower ground, while higher up the landscape opens into heather, bracken and exposed rock. Small changes in position can alter the view considerably: one hollow feels enclosed, while the next rise brings the surrounding fells back into sight. Grange Fell belongs to the rugged, wooded landscape of Borrowdale rather than the broad, open ridges found elsewhere in the Central Fells.

King's How and the Borrowdale views

King's How is named in memory of King Edward VII. It is one of Grange Fell's best-known features, and its position above Borrowdale makes it an important viewpoint even though it is not the highest top. Looking north, Derwentwater draws the eye towards the Keswick basin and Skiddaw beyond. Other outlooks take in the steep sides of Borrowdale and the higher fells enclosing the valley.

Brund Fell offers a different perspective, set farther back from the western edge. Visiting the fell is therefore about more than reaching a single summit marker: its separate tops reveal different parts of the surrounding country. The contrast between close woodland and distant fell views is particularly characteristic. Grange Fell is owned by the National Trust, which acquired it in 1910.

Grange Fell among the Central Fells

Alfred Wainwright included Grange Fell in The Central Fells, the third book of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. It ranks 199th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Nearby Wainwrights include Great Crag, High Tove, High Seat and Eagle Crag, placing it among the lower, varied fells around Borrowdale and Watendlath.

Walks on Grange Fell are associated with Borrowdale and Watendlath, with woodland paths, rocky ground and potentially wet stretches all part of the terrain. Its modest altitude should not be mistaken for a uniformly easy surface. For planning a walk, a dedicated route guide and a suitable map are more useful than height alone, particularly when distinguishing Brund Fell from King's How.

Where Grange Fell stands

Summit at grid reference NY264162 · open full map

The real Grange Fell

Walking Grange Fell

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

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Grange Fell

Conditions estimated at summit height (417 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Grange Fell on your wall

A painting of Grange Fell can bring home the Borrowdale you remember: dark woodland, heather-covered rock and a glimpse of Derwentwater beyond. As a print or canvas, it offers a quiet connection to a fell whose character is much larger than its height.

Own “Grange Fell Ridge Bold Shadows” — our painting of Grange Fell → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Central Fells

• Great Crag 449 m
• High Tove 515 m
• High Seat 609 m
• Eagle Crag 523 m

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