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The Great Britain Guide

Natural landmarks · North West England

Helm Crag

Free admission

Helm Crag — mountain in United Kingdom.

Helm Crag, natural landmarks in North West England

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
1 h–2 h
  • Free entry
  • Dog-friendly

About

Helm Crag is a named natural landmark in the United Kingdom. Wikidata describes it as: "mountain in United Kingdom". Coordinates: 54.4755°, -3.0401°.

Photo gallery

Protected designations

  • Site of Special Scientific Interest: River Derwent and Tributaries SSSI
  • Site of Special Scientific Interest: River Eden and Tributaries SSSI

Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

Helm Crag is a fell in the English Lake District situated in the Central Fells to the north of Grasmere. Despite its low height it sits prominently at the end of a ridge, easily seen from the village. This, combined with the distinctive summit rocks which provide the alternative name 'The Lion and the Lamb', makes it one of the most recognised hills in the District. Alfred Wainwright wrote of Helm Crag that "The virtues of Helm Crag have not been lauded enough. It gives an exhilarating little climb, a brief essay in real mountaineering, and, in a region where all is beautiful, it makes a notable contribution to the natural charms and attractions of Grasmere."

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

Description

At either end of the highest ridge are the rock outcrops that ensure Helm Crag's fame. Only one can be seen from any point in the surrounding valleys, and they have a variety of names depending upon the profile seen from the particular vantage point. The northwestern outcrop is the true summit of the fell, a tricky little scramble being needed to stand on the top. It is variously called "The old lady playing the organ" when seen from Mill Gill, "The howitzer" from the summit of Dunmail Raise and "The lion and the lamb" or "The lion couchant" from a point in between. The southern outcrop is prominent from Grasmere and this is the traditional "Lion and the lamb".

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
54.4755, -3.0401
Parish
Lakes
Postcode
LA22 9RS
Parliamentary constituency
Westmorland and Lonsdale

Sources

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Nearby

More natural landmarks in this region

Frequently asked questions

Where is Helm Crag?
Helm Crag is in North-West England, United Kingdom (postcode LA22 9RS), in the parish of Lakes.
Is Helm Crag a protected site?
Yes — Helm Crag is part of the River Derwent and Tributaries SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the River Eden and Tributaries SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Is Helm Crag free to visit?
Yes, Helm Crag is free to enter.
How do I get to Helm Crag?
Drivers can navigate to postcode LA22 9RS. It sits within the Westmorland and Lonsdale parliamentary constituency.