Hodge Close Quarry, Lake District, Summer
Time for something a little bit different.
The Lake District is obviously world famous for its natural splendour; the lakes, fells, tarn, waterfalls, and everything in between. But beneath the surface of this picture of paradise lies thousands of years of man-made work.
Mining has been a feature in the Lake District landscape for hundreds of years. Copper, graphite, lead, slate… you name it, it’s probably been found and mined for. One of the bigger historical industries in Lakeland was slate mining; I say “historical”, slate mining still occurs at Honister Pass, inside Fleetwith Pike.
Slate was mined extensively in and around the Coniston area, too, particularly in the 19th century when Lake District slate was in demand for “roofing Britain”. Three miles north of beautiful Coniston, one can find one of the biggest leftover workings of slate mining in the whole of the Lake District: Hodge Close Quarry.
Lisabet and I have been meaning to find and explore Hodge Close Quarry for quite some time now. Lisabet’s been before, but many moons ago. I, on the other hand, have only ever had Google Images and Pinterest to go on. We parked up in lay-by just north of Yew Tree Tarn and follow the easy trail northwest, clearly signposted for Hodge Close Quarry. Along the way, one can enjoy frankly spectacular views of the Langdale Pikes and Central Fells of the Lake District. This was an aspect of the hike I had no idea of!
Arriving at Hodge Close Quarry, and taking careful note of all the warning signs, we were greeted by a cavernous scar in the earth; sheer walls dropping 150 ft into a dark pool, itself a depth of around 150 ft. What a wonder; and what work man has performed!
We spent a good couple of hours around the quarry, shooting compositions in the gorgeous evening light. And there was no hardship in retracing our steps back to the car, as the light just better and better.
One of the most beautiful evening walks in the Lake District I’ve had for a while.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my three prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2, a Laowa 9mm f/2.8, and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. Images made 75% in-camera, with RNI Film’s Kodachrome film profile applied afterwards.
The way up to Hodge Close Quarry, via a bridleway known as Smithy Brow. Probably literally named.
I couldn’t tell you what this piece of farming tech is called, but it certainly looked long abandoned.
The first of many delightful scenes available from Smithy Brow. Taking in Lingmoor Fell (469 m/1,539 ft), Pike of Blisco (705 m/2,313 ft), and Bowfell (902 m/2,959 ft).
The view looking towards the northeast, taking in Seat Sandal (736 m/2,415 ft) and Dollywaggon Pike (858 m/2,815 ft).
That wonderful towards the northwest once again, shot near one of the disused farm barns alongside Smithy Brow.
Freshly clipped (sheared) Swaledale sheep, enjoying the grassy offerings around High Oxen Fell.
The area between High Oxen Fell Farm and Hodge Close Quarry is densely wooded and filled with ferns.
Just a lovely scene involving the Lake District’s famous dry stone walls and a knobbly coppice.
Nearing the quarry, we pass through a load of holiday cottages that enjoy spectacular views of the Coniston fells. They were probably all mining buildings once.
The first sight you see of Hodge Close Quarry. Quite the drop, eh? 150 ft down to the dark pool below. A young couple perched on top of the crag gives you a sense of scale.
Thankfully, with my 9mm ultra-wide lens at hand, I was able to capture immense compositions that could feature both the dark pool and the sheer walls of the quarry, all at once.
We scanned along this western edge of the quarry, shooting along the way as the light gradually faded along the top of the crags.
It’s easy to feel weak in the knees when capturing the sheer drop down…
We skirted around the southern and eastern edges of the quarry, nabbing compositions of the chasm with the Langdale fells in the distance.
This is the view the aforementioned young couple would’ve enjoyed.
We joined the Holme Fell trail northwards, looking to reconnect with the Smithy Brow bridleway back to the car. Lush carpets of fern everywhere gives a real “jungle” vibe to this scene.
The setting sun was providing beautiful deep tones of orange when peaking through the canopy and hitting the trees.
Peeping through the head-height ferns for this composition of Black Crag.
My lovely Lisabet, always the perfect accompaniment to any hike.
High Oxen Fell Farm, now property of the National Trust courtesy of Beatrix Potter. Probably built in the 1600s.
The nice thing about retracing the route back was enjoying the views in reverse with even better light.
Low Oxen Fell and Great How, with the gentle sunset light pulling out the contours of the landscape.
What a scene! What light!
Basking in the golden glow.
Layers and layers.