Wildflower days around Coniston, South Lakes TILBERTHWAITE and LITTLE LANGDALE

A popular walk with us is up to park at Shepherd's Bridge at the end of the road that leads up to Hodge Close.....up  to Tilberthwaite and out to Little Langdale....there is a lower path and a higher path....and back via Stang End and Hodge Close. My favourite route is the higher path.....turning left through a gate  at High Tilberthwaite Farm  and out onto a rough path that leads up and over the fell, known as the Knotts ,before dropping down into the Little Langdale Valley. Turn right at the junction of the tracks passing the buildings of Hall Garth. Slaters Bridge can be seen off to the left, said to be of Roman origin, it spans the River Brathay. Beautifully picturesque.....and in May and June you will find Orchids growing in the grass at the water's edge. 

Slater's Bridge
Photo courtesy of Robin Cooper

Nymphaea alba, White waterlily
June to September

Alchemilla, Lady's mantle
June to August

Geranium robertianum, Herb-robert
April to October

Drosera rotundifolia, Round-leaved sundew
June to August

 There are some botanical gems to be seen here, from Spring through to early Autumn.


Veronica chamaedys, Germander speedwell
March to July

Potentilla erecta, Tormentil
May to September

Sedum anglicum, English stonecrop
June to September

Hypericum, St John's wort
June to September

Anagallis arvensis, Scarlet pimpernel
April to October

Rosa
June to July

Campanula rotundifolia, Harebell
July to September

Parnassia palustris, Grass of parnassus
July to October

Parnassia palustris
Ulex gallii, Western Gorse
July to October


Dactylorhiza maculata, Heath Spotted Orchid
May to July

Dactylorhiza maculata

Erica cinerea, Bell Heather
June to October


Viola riviniana, Common dog violet
March to May

Silver Birch trees at Hodge Close

Fungi in moss

Forest in Autumn from Stang End
Langdale Pikes in Autumn from Hodge Close
Anagallis tenella, Bog pimpernel
May to September



Hodge Close Quarry is one of a number of slate workings in the Tilberthwaite valley between Coniston and Langdale. The site was worked on a large scale in the 19th century and to a lesser extent in the early 1960's.
It is a huge excavation, sheer sided and unfenced.....150 feet down to the waters edge and another 150ft deep of flooded workings. It is an awesome sight ....and a dangerous place....people have died here.
Hodge Close
Photo courtesy of Robin Cooper

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