Tatham Fells, Lancashire

HARALD HAUGAARD
Music in the Fells
16th November

Tatham Fells Parish Walk 2010 photos

Tatham Fells is the scattered community which forms the upland part of Tatham parish in North Lancashire.

The nearest town is Bentham in North Yorkshire

Tatham was once spelled Tateham, and that's how it's pronounced!
(The 'h' is silent)

The western limit of Tatham Fells is the Hindburn river, all the way up to its source below Botton Crag on White Hill. The eastern boundary follows an arc of high moorland from White Hill via Burn Moor to Fourstones. The northern edge is more contentious; where does Tatham end, and Tatham Fells begin? Let's suggest the county boundary west from the Great Stone of Fourstones as far as Oakhead, and then follow Spen Gill west to its confluence with the Hindburn river.

Following this boundary by the nearest legal route (public rights of way and access land) would be a tough but very scenic walk of 17 miles with 2500 feet of climb!

As the old map on this page shows, Tatham Fells once boasted a pub and a Post Office, both in Lowgill. The Rose & Crown Inn closed in the early 60s.

The nearest public transport routes are in High Bentham, which has a station on the Leeds-Morecambe railway line, and is on the bus route from Lancaster to Ingleton.

Christopher Saxton's 1577 map of Lancashire shows Tatham Fells church as Tateham Chap[el]. It also marks the "Cross of grete".

The highest point in Tatham Fells is White Hill (544m or 1786 feet) which is also the second highest hill in the Forest of Bowland (though third highest in the AONB, which includes Pendle)

There are no A or B roads in Tatham Fells, but it has 14 miles of minor road, ½ mile of unsurfaced county road, 1½ miles of public bridleway, and 24 miles of public footpath.

BBC weather
Nearest weather observations (Walney, Cumbria) and forecast (Lancaster)

Tatham Fells, Lancashire

Tatham Fells Walks - click here

Tatham Fells DVD - click here

Tatham Fells Gallery - click here