Little Mell Fell

Little Mell Fell

Little Mell Fell rises to 505.1 m above the country north of Ullswater. Its grassy outline gives it a gentler appearance than the higher Lakeland ridges, but the familiar ascent from The Hause is steep. The appeal is a compact fell walk with an open summit, views towards the Helvellyn and Fairfield ranges, and a prehistoric burial mound beneath the modern trig point.

It belongs to Wainwright's Eastern Fells and is also a Marilyn. Great Mell Fell and Gowbarrow Fell are nearby hills to consider when planning other walks in the area. Little Mell Fell deserves attention on its own, particularly for the way its summit brings together walking, archaeology and an unusual geological history.

Walking from The Hause

The usual short approach starts at The Hause, the road crossing immediately south of the fell. The route passes through two boundaries before climbing the open grassy slope. A wet patch near the bottom can be muddy even when the higher ground looks inviting. The initial climb is direct and steep, followed by a traverse and another uphill turn towards the trig point.

Return by the ascent route, paying attention to the turns rather than simply following whichever trod runs ahead. A short route still needs a map and an understanding of where it goes. The summit description is not a substitute for a complete route plan, especially if cloud hides the road and surrounding hills.

The important distinction here is between a short walk and a gentle one. Choose it according to the group's confidence on steep ground, and allow time for the descent as well as the climb. Footwear with a dependable grip matters on wet grass. Turn back if the surface or weather is beyond the group's experience.

Summit and views

The summit reference is NY423240. A stone-built Ordnance Survey triangulation column is its most conspicuous marker; the recorded high ground is within one metre of it. The grassy top has little of the rock architecture associated with the higher fells, so the interest is in the broader landscape.

In clear conditions, the view includes the Far Eastern Fells and the Fairfield and Helvellyn ranges. Ullswater comes into view during the southern ascent. Take time to look back during the climb rather than saving every view for the top. Visibility, cloud and the angle of the light will determine how much of the surrounding country can be picked out.

A prehistoric burial place

The summit mound is a scheduled bowl barrow. Its oval earth-and-stone form measures about 12.5 m by 10.8 m and reaches 0.9 m high. The trig column stands on its western half.

When the column was repositioned in 1952, workmen found a pottery urn containing cremated bone and two small bronze fragments beneath the mound's surface. This makes the summit more than a modern walking destination: it is a surviving prehistoric funerary site. The monument has suffered earlier disturbance, so leave its earth and stones untouched. Do not dig, collect material or rearrange stones around the trig point.

Conglomerate and later volcanic activity

Little Mell Fell is principally associated with the Mell Fell Conglomerate, a sedimentary deposit shared with Great Mell Fell. Its component stones came from older rocks, including the Borrowdale Volcanic Group and Windermere Supergroup. Gravel and sand accumulated in alluvial fans and braided river channels in a desert environment.

The deposit is probably Late Devonian, although its age is not fixed by diagnostic fossils. This is a history of erosion, transport and deposition of older material. Volcanic fragments within a conglomerate do not make the whole rock a lava flow.

There is also genuine igneous geology on the eastern side. Basalt and dolerite intrusions cut the conglomerate, and a small occurrence of lapilli-tuff has been interpreted as material within an old volcanic vent. These rocks are thought to relate to Early Carboniferous volcanic activity, but their precise age remains uncertain. They are local features within the wider sedimentary setting. The disused Little Mell Fell Quarry is important to that geological story. Check local access arrangements before planning a visit.

Planning and caring for the fell

Check the mountain forecast, current route information and local signs before setting out. Rain can make the steep grass slippery, while wind and low cloud can change the character of even this brief outing. Carry warm and waterproof layers and the means to navigate back to the start. Snow or ice requires a separate judgement about equipment, conditions and experience.

At The Hause, keep the road and all gateways clear and check any parking restrictions on arrival. Plan food, water and onward travel before leaving. Use gates and stiles without damaging boundaries, leave gates as directed, keep dogs under control around livestock, and take litter home. Follow mapped paths and local access guidance rather than assuming that every field or visible track is available for walking.