BB2617 : It's a Seat, Robert

Wednesday 27th May 2026

I was beginning to form the opinion that the Outlying Fells book was populated by a series of moorlands with little to see and long trails to plod.  I wondered why AW had bothered to write it.  Had his publishers said to him “Come on Alf, we need another book to complete the series.” and so he set about writing about fells that no-one in their right mind would want to visit?

And then!  Whit Week came and the Lake District got rammed with cars parked so badly that emergency services couldn’t get through.  I was particularly amused by the farmer who decided it was a nice day to go muckspreading.  Farmers always used to pick nice days when Margaret wanted to hang out the washing.  However this farmer opted to make sure the drivers who parked in his field without permission should have their cars rewarded with a good dose of you know what.  Imagine the effect on the convertible with the roof down!  Good on him.

Anyway, these stories renewed our faith in AW and we sought an outing far away from the madd(en)ing crowds.  The southern side of Swindale Beck was the solution, travelling via the old Engineer's Road that leads eventually to Haweswater. 

Officially, the road is closed due to weak bridges.....

..... but the biggest problem we encountered were cows.

Even so, I was somewhat worried that the parking area would be full.  Last time we parked there, when visiting the more popular fells on the northern side, it was full of people getting ready for an U3A walk.  On arrival we were asked for our names and subscriptions.  Needless to say we provided neither, not being part of that organisation.  So this time we went early but needn’t have worried.  Hardly anybody about.

One trick that AW played to make his walks seem shorter and thereby more palatable was only to measure from the point he started walking.  Unfortunately that was the best part of a mile from the parking area.  He had had Betty to chauffeur him around.  We only had Shank’s pony.  However I had a cunning plan.  Rather than head south along the road, we should cross the river and head northeast up the hill towards Tailbert Head.....

then turn south for Langhowe Pike, thereby saving quite some distance and providing a good view of the lower part of the valley.....

..... and a glimpse of the upper part.

In the valley, where the cuckoos were calling, it had seemed a pleasantly warm day but on the tops, a cold wind was blowing and I was glad that I had brought the extra layer that I nearly left behind.  Robert seemed to be getting excited.  “Are we there yet?”  No, that was Langhowe Pike.

Our next top was Great Ladstones.  Like most of the day, it was a long trek over featureless moorland; energy sapping but no-one to be seen.  They must all have been in the honey spots getting utterly frustrated.  Or splattered.

"Are we there yet?”  No, Robert, be patient.

Indeed he threw a banquet in our honour.  Well, at least he insisted on us staying to eat the butties we had each brought.

According to AW (and his updater, CJ) there is an Ordnance Survey ring embedded in the ground.  Sadly not no more.  There is an empty circle where it once lay.  What has happened to it?  Souvenir?  Melted down?  Answers on a postcard, please. [Afterthought- I suspect it was there but covered with vegetation and stones.]

At High Wether Howe we could see, in the far distance, Mosedale Cottage.  It’s always boggy down there but on our last visit it had been awash outside.  Today it would probably have been more accessible but it was too far off our itinerary to examine.  It is on another WOLF chapter altogether, so maybe one day when the crowds are again about.

That was the highest altitude of our outing.  We dropped down to the valley via Fewling Stone and Beastman’s Crag (there are some wonderful names around here, Willy Winder Hill for example).....

..... until we reached the stepping stones across Swindale Beck.  Last time TV Mike had bravely and successfully crossed over by the stones.  Who would do it today?  Robert declined, it not being a very regal way to progress.  Stan, Martin and I also refused so that was an inconspicuous way to reach the end of AW’s outing.  We just had another long road slog to return to where only two more cars were now parked.

Final destination?  A quick check of time and distance led to the conclusion that we would just reach the Tap by its 4 p.m. opening and so it proved; parking at 3:59 precisely.  “My round,” insisted Robert, “I’m in the chair”.  No, we reminded him.  It’s a Seat, Robert.  But we still let him buy the drinks.

Don, Wednesday 27^th May 2026

Comitibus:   

Don,                 Stan,                 Martin,               Robert

Relive: Click on the picture to relive Robert's visit to his Seat:

Map:  OS 1:50k

STATISTICS

BB2617 :  It's Seat, Robert

Date:

Wednesday 27th May 2026

Features:

WOLF 52.  Langhowe Pike, Great Ladstones, Seat Robert,
High Wether Howe, Fewling Stones

Distance in miles:

7.2

Height climbed in feet:

1,449

GPX track:

BB2617.GPX  

Comitibus:

Don, Martin, Robert, Stan

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