Howgill Fells

Howgill Fells
Name	Howgill Fells
Country	England
Region	North West England
Counties	Cumbria, Yorkshire, Westmorland and Furness
Highest	The Calf
Elevation m	676
Range	Pennines
Coords	54°23′N 2°38′W

Howgill Fells are a range of uplands in northern England lying between the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Westmorland Fells. The area is noted for its smooth, rounded summits, extensive grassy plateaus, and prominent ridgelines such as The Calf and Calders. The Fells sit within administrative areas tied to Cumbria and Yorkshire and are part of broader upland systems including the Pennines and proximity to the Cumbrian Mountains.

Geography and topography

The Fells occupy a triangular block bounded by valleys such as the Lune Gorge, the Dentdale valley, and the Eden Valley. Prominent summits include The Calf, Calders, Backside Fell, and White Maiden. Drainage feeds into rivers like the River Lune, River Rawthey, and River Eden, connecting to estuaries including the Morecambe Bay and the Solway Firth. The topography contrasts with the craggy profiles of the Lake District and the dry limestone scars of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, forming a distinct landscape recognized by the Ordnance Survey and referenced in regional mapping by bodies such as Natural England.

Geology and soils

Geologically the Fells are dominated by the Ordovician and Silurian slates and grits of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group and associated formations, with extensive deposits of Millstone Grit similar to those in the Pennines. The bedrock and glacial sculpting from the Last Glacial Period produced smooth summits and cwms, while glaciofluvial deposits and peat bogs overlay parts of the ridges. Soil types include acidic podzols and peaty gleys, supporting heathland species comparable to habitats catalogued by Joint Nature Conservation Committee surveys. Regional geological interest attracts study from institutions like the British Geological Survey and university departments at University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, and University of Leeds.

Ecology and biodiversity

Vegetation mosaics include acid grassland, purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea stands, blanket bog, and species-rich hay meadows in valley bottoms akin to those in Dentdale. Birdlife includes upland specialists such as red grouse, merlin, lapwing, and curlew, with wintering populations influenced by conditions across Morecambe Bay and the Solway Firth. Mammals recorded comprise red fox, European hare, roe deer, and populations of domestic sheep breeds like the Swaledale sheep that shape vegetation through grazing. Invertebrate assemblages include peatland specialists referenced in surveys by RSPB and Buglife. Conservation designations intersect with biodiversity work by NGOs including The National Trust, Friends of the Lake District, and statutory agencies like Natural England.

History and human use

Archaeological evidence shows prehistoric activity with finds similar to those catalogued in Cumbria Historic Environment Record and sites comparable to Castlerigg Stone Circle contexts. Roman-era routes crossed nearby areas connected to Roman Britain road networks between forts such as Low Borrowbridge and settlements linked to Eburacum. Medieval upland grazing established patterns of transhumance related to monastic estates like those of Furness Abbey and land tenures recorded in Domesday Book-era documents. More recent history includes enclosure acts debated in Parliament and rural housing patterns mirrored in nearby villages such as Sedbergh, Dent, and Kirkby Lonsdale. Industrial-era influences include local quarrying and peat cutting, with transport links to market towns via roads historically served by turnpike trusts and later by National Highways-managed routes.

Recreation and access

The Fells are popular for hillwalking, fell running, and mountain biking, with routes connecting to long-distance trails like the Dales Way, Pennine Way, and linking paths to the Cumbria Way. Outdoor organizations such as the British Mountaineering Council, Ramblers, and local walking groups provide route information and events based in towns like Kirkby Stephen and Sedbergh. Access is governed by rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 with public footpaths, bridleways, and open access land recorded on maps by the Ordnance Survey. Accommodation and visitor services include youth hostels affiliated with YHA England & Wales, bed-and-breakfasts common in Dentdale, and interpretive resources from VisitEngland-listed providers.

Conservation and management

Management involves a mix of statutory and non-statutory actors including Natural England, Historic England, and local authorities in Westmorland and Furness. Designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and inclusion within landscape-scale initiatives like Landscape Recovery schemes guide habitat restoration, peatland rewetting projects promoted by Environment Agency partnerships, and grazing regimes coordinated with Common Grazing committees and local estates. Volunteer efforts by groups including Friends of the Lake District, RSPB, and the National Trust support monitoring and invasive species control, while research partnerships with universities such as University of Cumbria inform adaptive management under frameworks used by DEFRA and biodiversity targets in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan legacy.

Category:Fells of England Category:Geography of Cumbria Category:Protected areas of England