Binsey is a Wainwright walk at the northern edge of the Lake District. While modest in size, its detached position from other fells means it is an excellent spot to take in uninterrupted views of the northern and western Lake District, together with the beautiful Solway Firth to the north. Given a Wainwright Walk to Binsey's summit doesn't take too long, it is also an excellent place to watch the sun setting over the estuary of the Eden and the Cumbrian coast. The relatively small ascent means you can get back down after sunset (if you're quick) without being lost in the dark!
A slight ridge connects Binsey to another of the Wainwright's, Great Cockup, making this the most appropriate peak to head for if you are intent on completing more than one fell on your Wainwright maps in one day. Binsey to Brae Fell is another walk that can be rewarding for people intent on ticking summits off their Wainwright Hill Chart. Other Wainwright Walks in the area include those that also include Over Water, a large tarn formed by damming but very picturesque nonetheless. There are a number of ways to climb Binsey, with the most straight forward starting in the village of Bewaldeth, while in his guides, Alfred Wainwright also described another route from the village of High Ireby. Either way, Binsey is a Wainwright walk suitable for all - but well worth it due to the interesting panorama you experience at the top.
Although it is one of the smaller Wainwright fells, Binsey's isolated position can led to Wainwright describing the views at its summit as 'a viewpoint of outstanding merit', on account of the great views of the Lake District to the south. Criffel and the Scottish fells of Dumfries and Galloway can also be seen behind the Solway - and on exceptionally clear days, the Mourne mountains in Northern Ireland can also be viewed from this Wainwright Hill.
To find out more about Binsey and the Wainwright walks that include it, you can refer to Book Five: The Northern Fells, by A. Wainwright, part of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells.
The view from Binsey, dominated by the impressive Wainwright Fell Skiddaw - Photograph by Jack Towers
Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District