Watch Hill (Cockermouth)

Watch Hill is a small hill lying on the north-western fringe of the Lake District in England. The name Setmurthy Common is sometimes used (including by Alfred Wainwright in his book The Outlying Fells of Lakeland) to refer to the area including the highest point, with "Watch Hill" describing the area to the west of the summit. It should not be confused with another Watch Hill some 19 km to the south-west, near Whitehaven, which is only 172 m (564 ft) high. The name "The Hay" is also used when referring to the area west of the summit.

Watch Hill
Watch Hill, from the entrance to Greenlands Farm
Highest point
Elevation	254 m (833 ft)
Prominence	157 m (515 ft)
Parent peak	Lord's Seat
Listing	Marilyn, Outlying Wainwright
Coordinates	54°40′27″N 3°18′20″W
Geography
Watch Hill Lake District, England
OS grid	NY159318
Topo map	OS Landranger 90

Despite its low height (just 833 feet) it is a Marilyn (a hill with topographic prominence of at least 150m) because of the large height separation from its neighbours. This 'detachedness' means that it is an excellent viewpoint. Skiddaw, Blencathra, the Lord's Seat group and Grisedale Pike are all seen, and there is a first-class view of the Cockermouth area and the Solway Coast AONB.

The hill is a popular climb with Cockermouth folk, along with its lower neighbour Slate Fell.

Wainwright recommends an ascent from the west and a return on the same route. He comments that "It is easily attained with a minimum of effort: a stroll on grass so simple that boots are incongruous footwear for it and bare feet appropriate".[1]

References

1. Wainwright, A. (2011). The Outlying Fells of Lakeland (2nd ed.). pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-0-7112-3175-7.