A list of the 214 Wainwright fells

In the 1950s and 1960s Alfred Wainwright published his 7-volume A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. The books are now classics. The detail for each fell is unparalleled and the hand-illustrated format is unique and beautiful. The seven volumes include 214 individual fells and is one of the unofficial ‘registers’ of mountains which can be climbed in the Lake District. The seven volumes were later joined by an 8th, which listed a further 116 fells: these are known as the Outlying Fells and are separately indexed on this site (follow the link). Thus there are a total of 330 ‘Wainwrights’. (I realise the title and URL of this blog are thus inaccurate, and have been since June 2013, but hey.)

The first 214 fells are here listed in alphabetical order within each volume. Each has its own page with further information on the mountain and on the walk I took to get it. The numbers indicate the order in which I bagged them — normal text for my first round, italic for my second round.

Volume One: The Eastern Fells (covers the area between Thirlmere, Ambleside, Kirkstone Pass and Ullswater. Number of fells in volume: 35. Volume first completed on 14th August 2012. Number of fells done on second round so far: 35; the fourth volume re-completed, on 17th August 2023.)

Volume Two: The Far Eastern Fells (east of Kirkstone Pass and Ullswater and around Kentmere and Haweswater. Number of fells in volume: 36. Completed first on 15/9/12. Number of fells done on second round so far: 36; the third volume I have completed a second time — finished again on 20/7/23.)

Volume Three: The Central Fells (between Langdale, Thirlmere, Borrowdale and Keswick. Number in volume: 27. Volume first completed on 24/11/12. Number of fells done on second round so far: 27; the sixth volume finished a second time, on 14/1/2024.)

Bleaberry Fell and Skiddaw

Bleaberry Fell and Skiddaw, from High Seat

Volume Four: The Southern Fells (between Coniston, Langdale and Wasdale. Number in volume: 30. Volume first completed on 23rd August 2012. Number of fells done on second round so far: 27)

Volume Five: The Northern Fells (between Keswick, Bassenthwaite and Caldbeck. Number in volume: 24. Completed first on 4/1/13. Number of fells done on second round so far: 24: the first volume to be completed a second time. Completed second time on 21/9/22.)

Volume Six: The Northwestern Fells (between Bassenthwaite, Honister Pass and Buttermere. Number in volume: 29. This was the first volume that I completed (on 13/4/12). Number of fells done on second round so far: 29: the seventh (and penultimate) volume completed twice, on 26/2/24. )

Dale Head summit

Dale Head summit. Newlands drops off to the left. The Helvellyn range is the background.

Volume Seven: The Western Fells (between Buttermere and Wasdale. Number in volume: 33. Finished first on 17/10/12. Number of fells done on second round so far: 33; the fifth volume I completed a second time, on 15/10/23.

Volume Eight: The Outlying Fells: See the separate index.

4 Responses to “A list of the 214 Wainwright fells”

  2. Nola Marshall said
    November 21, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Having watched some of Julia Bradbury’s programmes on the Wainwright Walks, it rather makes my personal target to do Catbells before next summer pale into insignificance…it appealed the most as she had explained that it was a favourite with Victorian ladies as they could do it relatively easily, in spite of their long skirts – a rather pleasing image.

    Reply
  3. Glen said
    May 4, 2023 at 11:50 am

    Upon looks at Mungrisdale etc, I can’t see the bus stop at Scales any more.

    Reply
    • Drew Whitworth said
      May 4, 2023 at 12:22 pm

      Hi Glen,
      I don’t think there’s ever been a ‘bus stop’ at Scales in the sense of a shelter, or even a sign on a pole. But I have had drivers on the X4/X5 assure me that it is an official halting place. If catching a bus back to Penrith you should stand at the end of the lane that goes up to the White Horse — that’s the right-hand end of the lane, as you come out of the pub — and signal clearly to the driver: there’s plenty of time for them to see you.

      Reply

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