Route: Brackenthwaite Hows
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 8th May 2026
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.0 miles
Ascent: 700 feet
Weather: Sunny
Brackenthwaite Hows, otherwise known as Lanthwaite Hill, is situated near the head of Lorton Vale. This is one of my favourite places which we visit several times a year. We came in search of more bluebells today, inspired by this week’s walk to visit the Rannerdale bluebells. The display here is almost as good as its more famous neighbour and in addition it’s far quieter – we didn’t see anyone else in the bluebell area. We parked in the National Trust car park at Scale Hill (free to members) and entered into Lanthwaite Wood. Instead of following the obvious wide track we turned off to climb a narrow path quite steeply uphill. At a junction we took another left turn to clamber up a steep rocky staircase. We left Lanthwaite Wood to enter onto Brackenthwaite Hows, taking a short diversion to the top in order to admire the wondrous view over Crummock Water and the western fells
We then turned north to descend the ridge, where there were swathes of bluebells carpeting the hillside. At the bottom of the hill we crossed the Buttermere road at Beck House to climb up to the valley path which runs along Lorton Vale. This took us below the foot of Whiteside and Whin Fell to Lanthwaite Green Farm. We followed a path to the right of the farm back into Lanthwaite Wood, descending to the boathouse by the shore of Crummock Water. From here we followed the path to the foot of the lake and then the track back to the Scale Hill car park. It had been another wonderful visit to this special place
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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We enter into Lanthwaite Wood from the car park at Scale Hill and turn left to climb quite steeply uphill
Another left turn which leads to a couple of short rocky sections
First of the bluebells as we leave Lanthwaite Wood via the deer gate to enter onto Brackenthwaite Hows, or Lanthwaite Hill
Looking back to Mellbreak beyond Lanthwaite Wood
Looking down to the bluebells of Brackenthwaite Hows, which we'll be visiting shortly
Sweet Lorton Vale
Before descending to the bluebell area we make a quick there and back diverson to admire the view from the top of Lanthwaite Hill. Rannerdale Knotts, the subject of a recent bluebell walk, is on the right
Crummock Water, which we'll visit at the end of the walk
We retrace our steps to start the descent, following a path which runs along the top of the bluebell area
A view back to Rannerdale Knotts left, and to the High Stile Range
A few photos of the Brackenthwaite Hows bluebells as we make our way down the ridge...
Our native bluebell
Looking back
We continue down the ridge
Looking across to our return route, a path at the foot of Whiteside whiich follows the dry stone wall
A final glance back to the bluebells as we arrive at the foot of the hill
Beyond the trees we turn right at Pickett How
We cross the Buttermere road and carry on ahead
We cross the footbridge over Liza Beck
We climb up through a grassy field and turn right beyond the gate at the foot of Whiteside
Looking back to Brackenthwaite Hows
Red Pike dominates the scene as we follow a couple of herdies along Lorton Vale...
We curve round to the right to aim towards Lanthwaite Green Farm, right of picture
We cross Liza Beck once more
Mellbreak ahead
Crummock Water on the left as we approach the Buttermere road
We cross the Buttermere road and pass through the gate to the right of Lanthwaite Green Farm
Looking back to Whin Ben and Whiteside
We follow the path in the direction of Mellbreak
We re-enter Lanthwaite Wood and turn left beyond the gate
We descend a path which runs around the edge of the wood
We arrive at the boathouse on Crummock Water
Mellbreak from the stony beach by the boathouse
We head towards the foot of the lake
Mellbreak from the foot of Crummock Water
This wide track through Lanthwaite Wood takes us back to the start of a wonderful walk
The following day, a female pied flycatcher in the garden, having migrated here from West Africa for the summer
