CumbriaWASDALEHEADStOlaf(nigelchadwickCC-BY-SA2.0)1 NigelChadwick

St Olaf

The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.

Wasdale Head, Cumbria

Oriau agor

Open daily dawn to dusk.

Cyfeiriad

Wasdale Head
Cumbria
CA20 1EX

One of the church’s plain diamond shaped windows contains an etching of Napes Needle, a rock formation on Great Gable, with the words; ‘I lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my strength’ (Psalm 121).

The roof beams are thought to have come from Viking ships. The churchwarden’s staves have a Herdwick ram’s head on one and the ewe’s head on the other.

The surrounding churchyard contains the graves of local families as well as those who have died on the fells. A memorial commemorating members of the Lake District Fell and Rock Climbing Club who died in WWI was recently removed from its position on Great Gable and repositioned on a stone plinth in the churchyard, a constant reminder of the special bond between the church and the mountains. 

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Wildlife haven

  • Café within 500m

  • Car park at church

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Church of England

Other nearby churches

St Trillo

Llandrillo yn Rhos, Clwyd

Mae’r adeilad syml, to carreg, bach iawn hwn, yn wyth troedfedd o uchder ac un droedfedd ar ddeg o hyd; mae ei waliau o drwch dwy droedfedd ac o dan ei allor, mae ffynnon sanctaidd St Trillo.

St Padrig

Llanbadrig, Anglesey

Mae eglwys St Padrig yn sefyll yn un o olygfeydd prydferthaf Ynys Môn; mae’n fangre i fyfyrio, lle mae tangnefedd yn teyrnasu.