Lingmoor Fell Heather (Ling)

Lingmoor Fell

Lingmoor Fell divides the valleys of Great Langdale and Little Langdale and is one of the Wainwrights, standing at 469 m (1,540 ft). Lingmoor is named after the heather (“ling”) that covers its slopes. The word ‘ling’ derives from the the Old Norse word for heather (“lyng”), and the fell’s name reflects the prevalence of heather on its northern and eastern sides. When in bloom the heather adds splashes of purple to what is already a truly spectacular landscape. Having seen some amazing images from other photographers I resolved that this was to be the year I would get to see one of my favourite places with the heather in bloom.

Ling or heather?

In the UK, the heather known as “ling” is Calluna vulgaris which the most common species of heather. It is a low-growing evergreen shrub that thrives in acidic soils, particularly on heathlands and moors. Its delicate pink or purple flowers appear in late summer and early autumn.  Ling is the most widespread of the UK’s three species of heather and so is known as Common Heather.

The two other types of heather found in the UK are Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix). Bell Heather is known for its intensely purple, bell-shaped flowers. Cross-leaved Heath prefers damper areas and is sometimes called bog-heather. 

Lingmoor Fell visit August 2025

Having checked the sunrise time (5:26am) I accepted that a sunrise shoot not going to happen, and a 5am alarm was early enough to get me there before the Blea Tarn National Trust Car Park (LA22 9PG) was completely full. I knew the pay & display machine only took cash, but a full day’s parking now costs £9.50, so I had to settle for 4 hours. parking The price may be a little steep, but it is very convenient for Blea Tarn and it goes to the National Trust so no real complaint there. Not being able to pay by card is actually a bigger problem. As it was completely still, I walked the short way to Blea Tarn for a few reflection shots, including the one below. Just after this shot. was taken the reflections disappeared and so I headed off to Lingmoor.

Lingmoor routes from the Blea Tarn side

There are at least 4 routes up Lingmoor Fell from this side. The first is the path from just before the car park that goes diagonally across the bracken before heading up to Lingmoor to the summit, which is somewhat confusingly called Brown How, and is the highest point in the ridge of Lingmoor Fell. I chose to walk down the road to just before Blea Tarn House and follow the reasonably steep footpath that joins up with the other track a little short of the top. From the other end of Lingmoor Fell you can also go up Side Pike and then back along through Fat Man’s Agony (“The Squeeze”) and follow the ‘Great Wall of Lingmoor’ up to Brown How. Alternatively you could leave out Side Pike and head directly up from the road and join the same route just after the Squeeze, otherwise known as “Fat Man’s Agony” (see photos below)

This link opens a map that shows my route as well as the alternatives.

Heather on Lingmoor Fell

As you can see from the images above (click to view large) there was plenty of heather on the top of Lingmoor. The colour wasn’t perhaps as intense as I had hoped but the bright sunlight was not ideal, and I don’t think we are quite at the peak of the season. Also the Ling blossom is more of a pale pink than a deep purple. I will definitely try again later as I think it was a bit early in the season.

Personal Note

As a final thought, and something of a coincidence, I recently found what must be the very first photo I ever took while sorting through my Dad’s photo collection ahead of his upcoming funeral.

It’s probably somewhere in Scotland, my Mum and Dad and siblings are sat amongst the heather, and I must have taken the shot on my Dad’s film camera which was loaded with colour slides, when I was about 6. The composition could be improved but it was at least in focus and the heather was in full bloom.

Rest in peace my wonderful, kind, loving Dad, you will be missed so much.