Attractions and Places To See around Longsleddale - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Longsleddale offer a tranquil escape focused on natural beauty and historical elements. This picturesque valley in Cumbria, England, is characterized by its unspoiled landscape, high fells, and the River Sprint. Visitors can explore diverse terrain, from rocky upper valleys to pastoral, wooded areas downstream. The region provides opportunities for outdoor activities and discovering local landmarks.
Best attractions and places to see around Longsleddale
- The most popular attractions is Wansfell Pike summit, a summit that offers expansive views along Windermere and surrounding valleys. It is known for its rewarding climb, accessible via various routes including a steeper, shorter path from Ambleside.
- Another must-see spot is Orrest Head, a viewpoint offering sublime vistas for relatively little effort. This location is easily accessible from Windermere station and provides good views of the lake, holding historical significance in Lake District fellwalking.
- Visitors also love Brant Fell, a viewpoint with spectacular views from its summit. The hike up is considered relatively easy, traversing park-like landscapes and offering panoramic views over Windermere.
- Longsleddale is known for its high fells, historical landmarks, and natural features like the River Sprint and its waterfalls. The area provides a variety of attractions to see and explore, from challenging hikes to serene valley walks.
- The attractions around Longsleddale are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 600 upvotes and over 240 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: July 3, 2026
Wansfell Pike summit
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Orrest Head
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The effect of the view on the 23-year-old Wainwright must have been something indeed. He went on to explore the region at length and wrote seven classic guidebooks to the Lakeland Fells, which have become interwoven into the fabric of the place to such an extent that most of Cumbria's hills and mountains are now known as Wainwrights. But that's another story...
Orrest Head rewards the walker with this sublime viewpoint for relatively little effort. It is easily ascended from Windermere station and is within walking distance of Troutbeck Bridge and Bowness-on-Windermere too.
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Brant Fell
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Dove Crag summit
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Red Screes summit cairn
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In poor weather Red Screes can be a dangerous place to be with the rocks becoming slippery in the wet and a gust of wind could result in a nasty fall - one Mountain Rescue volunteer fell in early 2021 and sustained life-changing injuries during a rescue.
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Tips from the Community
Red Screes, at a rocky 776 meters (2,546 feet), is famous for its steep approach from Red Screes. It's a good, stiff walk and can be a bit hands-on here and there, but the trail is good and well marked. It has a trig point and a stone shelter at the summit. It is wise to be careful here in poor visibility, as the drops are severe. I would make a comment about the views, but I couldn't see much today.
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Dove Crag summit is quite unassuming, just a small cairn on a rocky ledge, but it offers a good vantage point with super nice expansive views over the eastern fells and back towards High Pike. It is quite a walk to get here from Ambleside; most do it as part of the Fairfield Horseshoe, but it is well worth it for the views. It is also famous for the hidden Priest Hole Cave located on its steep eastern cliff face.
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Brilliant 360 degree views from the summit make this hill a good objective, but for a fuller mountain day the quieter but longer path over the Snarker Pike ridge is recommended rather then just a quick up and down from the Kirkstone pass
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Dove Crag is named for the impressive cliff adorning its steep, east-facing flanks, which fall sharply to the exquisite Dovedale. The cliff contains the Priest's Hole, one of the national park's most famous caves and a glorious viewpoint for the Far Eastern Fells. If you've only visited Dove Crag's summit as part of the Fairfield Horseshoe, I'd recommend the hike up from Dovedale to really do justice to this splendid fell.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural features can I explore in Longsleddale?
Longsleddale is rich in natural beauty. You can explore the River Sprint, known for its stunning waterfalls, especially in the upper valley. The area is surrounded by high fells like Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts, offering impressive views and hiking opportunities. The valley also boasts diverse wildlife, including red deer and red squirrels, and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the presence of white-clawed crayfish.
Are there any historical landmarks to visit in Longsleddale?
Yes, Longsleddale features several historical landmarks. Yewbarrow Hall, dating back to 1450, is the oldest building in the valley and originally included a medieval pele tower. St. Mary's Church, built in 1863, retains features from an earlier structure, such as a carved oak door from 1662 and a silver chalice from 1577. You can also find the abandoned Wrengill Quarry, which operated as early as 1728.
What kind of hiking trails are available in Longsleddale?
Longsleddale offers a variety of hiking trails, from serene valley floor walks to challenging ascents into the surrounding fells. Popular routes include those towards Gatescarth Pass, over to Haweswater, or across to Kentmere or Staveley. For specific routes, you can explore the Hiking around Longsleddale guide, which features trails like the 'Summit of Kentmere Pike – Shipman Knotts summit loop'.
Are there any viewpoints with panoramic scenery around Longsleddale?
Absolutely. The region offers several rewarding viewpoints. Orrest Head provides sublime vistas with relatively little effort, easily accessible from Windermere. Brant Fell also offers spectacular views from its summit, with a relatively easy hike up. For more challenging climbs, Wansfell Pike summit provides wonderful views along Windermere and surrounding valleys.
What outdoor activities can I do near Longsleddale besides hiking?
Beyond hiking, Longsleddale and its surroundings are excellent for cycling and mountain biking. You can find various routes for different skill levels. Check out the Cycling around Longsleddale guide for road cycling options, and the MTB Trails around Longsleddale guide for mountain biking adventures, including challenging trails like the 'Staveley to Kentmere Park and Pike loop'.
Is Longsleddale suitable for family-friendly outings?
Yes, Longsleddale offers options for families. The valley floor provides easier walks, and some viewpoints like Orrest Head and Brant Fell are considered family-friendly, offering rewarding views for moderate effort. The diverse landscape and wildlife spotting opportunities can also be engaging for children.
Where can I find wild swimming spots in Longsleddale?
Longsleddale is known to have a specific point of interest called the Longsleddale Bathing Pool, suggesting a designated spot for wild swimming or enjoying the river. The River Sprint itself, with its clear waters, offers opportunities for a refreshing dip in suitable conditions.
What is Sadgill and what can I do there?
Sadgill is a remote hamlet that marks the end of the road into the valley. It serves as a gateway to the more rugged head of the dale and is a popular starting point for hikes into the surrounding fells. You can also find the historic Sadgill Bridge, a stone packhorse bridge across the River Sprint.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in Longsleddale?
Longsleddale is home to a variety of wildlife. Keep an eye out for red deer, roe deer, badgers, and the elusive red squirrels. Birdwatchers can spot ravens, buzzards, and kingfishers. The River Sprint is particularly notable for its population of white-clawed crayfish. The hedgerows and verges also burst with over 136 identified species of wildflowers, and bluebells can be seen in the woods during spring.
Are there any facilities for visitors in Longsleddale?
While Longsleddale is a tranquil and remote area, a Community Hall is situated near St. Mary's Church. This hall offers picnic tables and public toilets for visitors, providing a convenient stop during your exploration of the valley.
What is the significance of the Haweswater Aqueduct in Longsleddale?
The Haweswater Aqueduct, though mostly underground, carries water from Haweswater Reservoir to Manchester and follows the line of Longsleddale. While not a visible attraction itself, survey columns from its construction in the 1930s can still be seen on peaks like Branstree, Tarn Crag, and Great Howe, offering a glimpse into the region's engineering history.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Longsleddale?
Visitors particularly enjoy the rewarding climbs and expansive views from summits like Wansfell Pike and Orrest Head. The tranquility, natural beauty, and opportunities for exploring unspoiled landscapes are highly valued. Many appreciate the diverse terrain, from rocky fells to pastoral valleys, and the chance to discover historical elements amidst stunning scenery.
Most popular attractions around Longsleddale
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