High Street

High Street

High Street is an 828.5 m fell in the Lake District’s Far Eastern Fells, with 373.8 m prominence. Its broad high ground contrasts with the rocky eastern ridge rising from Haweswater. These measurements and the summit location follow DoBIH v18.6, checked against the downloaded database on 16 October 2026.

Summit and landscape

The trig pillar is a landmark rather than the natural highest point. DoBIH places the featureless summit about 90 m northeast of it, at NY 44141 11116; the pillar is at NY 44077 11049. Nearby summits include Kidsty Pike (781 m) and Rampsgill Head (792.4 m), using the same database version.

The area is largely Borrowdale volcanic terrain, as described in Greenlane Archaeology’s evaluation. Grassy and stony summit paths contrast with steeper rocky approaches. Clear-weather views include the Helvellyn range and southern fells; eastern approaches reveal Haweswater and Blea Water. Visibility and position on the broad summit determine what can be seen, rather than a particular month guaranteeing better views.

Approaches and returns

• Hartsop via Hayeswater, out and back: climb beside Hayeswater Gill, continue towards The Knott and cross the Straits of Riggindale to High Street. Retrace the approach. Thornthwaite Crag and Gray Crag form a different circuit. See the Mud and Routes approach overview.
• Mardale Head circuit: Rough Crag, Caspel Gate Tarn and Long Stile lead to High Street; the return goes over Mardale Ill Bell to Nan Bield Pass, then past Small Water. Fellwandering’s complete record covers this approximately 9.3 km circuit. Harter Fell is not included.
• Kentmere Horseshoe including High Street: the clockwise route crosses Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Thornthwaite Crag, visits High Street, then continues over Mardale Ill Bell, Nan Bield Pass, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts before returning to Kentmere. INOV8’s description supplies the connecting stages. This long mountain circuit should not be described as a gentle valley ascent.
• Patterdale via Angle Tarn, out and back: use Boredale Hause, Angle Tarn, Satura Crag, The Knott and the Straits of Riggindale. Retrace the approach; subsidiary summits are additional diversions. Mud and Routes’ detailed guide explains the junctions and summit approach. Its ascent-only figures are not return-walk totals.
• Troutbeck via Ill Bell, out and back: climb Garburn Pass, then Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Thornthwaite Crag before High Street. Returning this way repeats the ridge climbs. The approach overview distinguishes this from the separate valley/bridleway approach; simply naming Troutbeck Tongue does not specify a descent.

Access and facilities

Select parking for the approach. Wild Haweswater identifies Mardale Head as its main visitor car park and confirms there are no public toilets or cafe. Hartsop is the Hayeswater starting point. Kentmere’s visitor guidance explains the very limited Institute parking and occasional field availability; keep roads and gateways clear.

The National Park’s Kentmere information directs visitors to Staveley for refreshments and toilets and states that Kentmere has no direct public transport. For western approaches, Stagecoach identifies the 508 link from Penrith to Glenridding and Patterdale; consult the current timetable and last return before setting out.

History

The fell’s name is linked to the upland route traditionally called the Roman road. Historic England lists parts as High Street, Roman road. Archaeological evidence needs more qualification than that title alone: Greenlane’s 2006 excavations found an engineered road surface but no direct dating evidence. The National Park’s account and the Foundation for Common Land’s report discuss possible prehistoric origins and later reuse on Bampton Common. These findings do not prove every surviving path across High Street is Roman-built. No specific summit stone circle or early settlement is established here.

Mountain safety

Rough Crag and Long Stile are steep and rocky. Wet or icy rock, low cloud and strong winds can greatly increase the difficulty. The broad summit and Boredale Hause junctions demand navigation in poor visibility; Angle Tarn approaches can be marshy. Carry food, water, warm waterproof clothing, a headtorch and navigation equipment, and plan for the complete return. Phone reception is unreliable around Haweswater. Mountain Rescue’s winter advice explains how snow can hide paths and hazards; winter conditions require suitable skills and equipment.