I set off nice and early this morning, destination the Lake District. After seven hours of driving, I arrived at Cockermouth, from where I ascended Watch Hill. I parked just off the road, a short distance away from Cockermouth school.

Hill: Watch Hill [Setmurthy Common]
Date: Friday 16th November 2012
Company: Just myself
Distance: 6km, Ascent: 185m

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

After walking a short distance along the road, I followed the bridleway heading towards Watch Hill.

Outskirts of Cockermouth:


Start of bridleway towards Watch Hill:


The underfoot conditions were a bit variable, a mix of nice short grass and mud. The entire walk was through grassy farmland, with lots of sheep.

Looking back to Cockermouth:


View towards Watch Hill:


The weather was nicer than expected and was mild enough to walk in a t-shirt.

Following the dyke:


Looking back to Cockermouth:


However, the weather didn’t look quite so nice further South.

View towards the Lakes:


I visited several knolls en-route to the summit, which is at the far end of the ridge.

On the flat ridge to the summit:


Approaching the summit of Watch Hill:


View from the featureless summit of Watch Hill:


From the summit, I returned to the car via the same route and then drove to one of the potential starting points for an ascent of Binsey.


Hill: Binsey
Date: Friday 16th November 2012
Company: Just myself
Distance: 4.25km, Ascent: 310m

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

I opted to ascend Binsey from the West, as I had read that this was the nicest route.

Start of Public Right of Way towards Binsey:


The initial track leading towards Binsey was very muddy.

Binsey:


I was pleased to find that a path continued beyond the end of the Right of Way, marked on the map.

Hills beyond Bassenthwaite Lake:


Bassenthwaite Lake:


Ascending Binsey:


On approaching the summit of Binsey, I noticed two people parascending above nearby Whittas Park.

Parascending above Whittas Park:


On reaching the summit area, I visited each of the cairns, the shelter and the trig point. I also had a very brief chat with two other walkers at the summit.

Looking towards the summit from a nearby cairn:


Summit trig point, shelter and cairn:


Skiddaw from the summit of Binsey:


From the summit, I returned to the car via the same route.

Binsey was my first ever Wainwright – a list I do NOT intend trying to complete!

Following the ascent of Binsey, I drove to Swinside for a bit of reconnaissance. I drove round the entire hill, unfortunately confirming that every possible access point has signs "Private - No Public Right of Way". I may have to do this one in the dark .

Access rights in England are pants compared with Scotland. I’m not keen on having to follow Rights of Way and I don't like being denied access to hills owned by GOML Lords .