Pictures of Wasdale Head
in the county of Cumbria
About Wasdale Head
Vast, lonely landscape of towering fells, jewel like streams and tarns situated at the head of the Wasdale Valley with the mighty Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain and Great Gable forming an almost uniformity range of mountains in the distance.
The area is of immense attraction to walkers. For those visitors not wishing to walk too far, there are not just memorable views of dramatic scenery, but some interesting buildings to be seen. Set amongst an ancient patchwork of fields at the head of Wasdale is the intriguing small church of St. Olaf, thought by many to be the smallest church in England. Another church, St.Mary's is found at near-by Gosforth, this is of great historical interest with Viking monuments renowned world-wide.
The interior of St.Mary's has much to impress with two 10th century "Hogback" tombstones seen covering the graves of Norse Chieftains, these depict houses of the dead carved with battle scenes. The Chancel Arch shows carved faces and resting on the western window cill is a roughcast iron Chinese bell. Other curiosities include an odd assortment of collection boxes, and a Viking fishing stone. In the churchyard amongst the ancient gravestones there is a striking Norse Cross believed to be from 940 AD, this important monument stands to a height of 14 feet, it depicts the victory of Christ over Heathen Gods. Gosforth lies between the coast and Nether Wasdale, it is worth the trip if only to see the church, but whilst here visit the highly scenic Blengdale Forest which offers superb walking and a close-by ancient packhorse bridge known as "Monk's Bridge".
Wasdale offers plenty of places to stay ranging from a camping site owned by the National Trust and a NT youth hostel, to more luxurious country house accommodation. It is also the home of the famous Wasdale Head Inn, considered generally to be the birthplace of climbing.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Wasdale Head
| Wast Water | (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Honister Slate Mine | (4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Hardknott Pass | (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Hardknott Roman Fort | (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Eskdale | (5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Langdale Pikes | (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Stanley Force | (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| The Bowder Stone | (6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Ennerdale Water | (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Crummock Water | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Lake District National Park | (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Whinlatter Forest Park | (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Muncaster Castle | (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Dove Cottage | (9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Derwentwater | (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
All attractions in Wasdale HeadAll attractions in CumbriaComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Wasdale Head
Seatoller, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cumbria (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction NE)
Seatoller, set in one of the most beautiful and exciting landscapes to be found in the lakes, gains its prosperity as a centre for climbers and walkers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Boot, in the county of Cumbria (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction S)
Boot is one of Lakeland's precious jewels, a charming stone village surrounded by towering scenery which includes two of the regions most scenic waterfalls, the Dalegarth Force and Birker Force.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Nether Wasdale, in the county of Cumbria (5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction SW)
Nether Wasdale lies opposite Wasdale Head at the western fringe of Wast Water.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Borrowdale, in the county of Cumbria (5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction NE)
There is little doubt that Borrowdale possess some of the most unforgettable of all in the vast landscape of The Lake District National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Buttermere, in the county of Cumbria (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction N)
Even when swirling mist rolls in over the stark fells surrounding Buttermere, the little hamlet remains serene in its simplicity and beauty.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Stonethwaite, in the county of Cumbria (5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction NE)
Tucked away in a quiet part of Borrowdale where streams tumble down crags amongst a patchwork of old pack-horse trails, scenery does not come more beautiful than that which surrounds this peaceful hamlet in the Langstrath Valley.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Rosthwaite, in the county of Cumbria (5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE)
Small as Rosthwaite may be, it has magic and serenity coupled with some of the most unforgettable sights in the Lake District National Park
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Eskdale Green, in the county of Cumbria (5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Grange in Borrowdale, in the county of Cumbria (6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction NE)
A picturesque village in the Borrowdale valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Watendlath, in the county of Cumbria (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NE)
A place of great beauty, Watendlath's dramatic landscape inspired writer Sir Hugh Walpole to choose it as the setting for his Rogue Herries series.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Loweswater, in the county of Cumbria (8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction N)
Loweswater is centred in a landscape of grandeur, it is surrounded by Mellbreak Fell, Carling Knott Fell and Burnbank Fell, all excellent climbing and walking country giving views of a mountainous landscape reflected in sun-kissed pewter waters.
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Little Langdale, in the county of Cumbria (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SE)
Little Langdale is a delightful hamlet in a hauntingly beautiful area lying above the Furness Fells.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hall Dunnerdale, in the county of Cumbria (8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction S)
Scenery does not come much finer than the scenic beauty surrounding the Valley of the River Duddon where you will find the delightful hamlet of Hall Dunnerdale.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Elterwater, in the county of Cumbria (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction E)
Elterwater is barely 200ft above sea level, it is picturesquely set beneath the glories of the Langdale Pikes
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Grasmere, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cumbria (9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction E)
This tiny stone village is beautifully set between the tranquil waters of Grasmere Lake and the jagged heights of Helm Crag and Nab Scar
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in CumbriaComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Ravenglass for Eskdale Station | (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SW) |
| Drigg Station | (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction SW) |
| M6 Junction 40 | (23.5 miles, 37.8 km, direction NE) |
| M6 Junction 41 | (24.0 miles, 38.6 km, direction NE) |
| Blackpool Airport | (48.8 miles, 78.5 km, direction S) |
| Isle of Man Airport | (61.7 miles, 99.3 km, direction SW) |
| Wasdale Head to London | (242.6 miles, 390.3 km, direction SE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Wasdale Head
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Wasdale Head center |
| Scafell Hotel | (5.6 miles, 8.9 km, direction NE) |
| Borrowdale Gates Country House Hotel | (6.6 miles, 10.5 km, direction NE) |
| New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel | (6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction E) |
| Langdale Classic Hotel & Country Club | (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction E) |
| Red Lion Hotel | (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction E) |
| Rothay Garden Country House Hotel | (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction E) |
| The Waterside Hotel Grasmere | (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction E) |
| Highfield Hotel & Restaurant | (10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction NE) |
| The Grange Country House | (10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction NE) |
| Skiddaw Hotel | (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NE) |
| All hotels in Wasdale Head |