Glade
← Back✦ Historic site

Cairns and enclosure on The Rigg, Banishead

1 ha

📷 Ian Taylor · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

54.35786, -3.11002

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦79+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Meadow Pipit and Raven
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Meadow Pipit, Raven, Carrion Crow +76 more · last seen 2025; Upland wetlands — golden plover and upland waders

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Meadow Pipit, Raven, Carrion Crow +76 more · last seen 2025; Upland flushes, fens and swamps priority habitat

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Mushroom foraging

Fungi — Lecanora soralifera, Rhizocarpon geographicum, Parmelia saxatilis s. lat. +127 more · last seen 2014

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Small Tortoiseshell, Anoplotrupes stercorosus, Keeled Skimmer +116 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Flat-leaved Bog-moss, Mossy Saxifrage, Heath Spotted-orchid +50 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 14 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Cumbria WayWalking route118 km
Named routeLength 118 kmRegional walking route
Machell's Coppice TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Monk Coniston and Tarn Hows Trail, Tarn Hows and ConistonWalking route8 km

Walk from the head of Coniston Water to Tarn Hows on the picturesque circular made by 19th-century industrialist J G Marshall to wow guests at his estate. Pass farmland, wood & Monk Coniston Hall. Spot wildlife & enjoy Lakeland views. Short steep sections

Named routeLength 8 kmDuration 02:00-03:00Round tripLocal walking route
Tarn Hows circular walk, Tarn Hows and Coniston, South Lakes OutdoorsWalking route3.2 km

All the family can enjoy spectacular views of the high Lake District fells in every season, on this easy, accessible walk around a tree-lined tarn.

Named routeLength 3.2 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
Tarn Hows Ranger Run, Tarn Hows and Coniston, South Lakes OutdoorsWalking route6.4 km

Enjoy this invigorating circular running trail, which starts alongside Yew Tree Tarn and joins the Cumbria Way around Tom Heights to reach the northern shore of Tarn Hows, finishing past hidden waterfalls. Look out for local Herdwick sheep and Belted Gall

Named routeLength 6.4 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

17 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 637Cycling route
Named routeRef 637National Cycle Network
Regional Route 37Cycling route
Named routeRef 37Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route285 m
Named routeRef 637Length 285 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route5 m
Named routeRef 637Length 5 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface other
Main RouteCycling route1 km
Named routeRef 637Length 1 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route2.1 km
Named routeRef 637Length 2.1 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
The North Face TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Silurian WayMountain bike route
Named route
Hawkshead Moor TrailMountain bike route
Named route
🐴

Horse riding

10 public paths nearby

Public paths
Walna Scar Roadrestricted byway · 2.1 km
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 2.1 kmPath type: bridleway
Walna Scar Roadrestricted byway · 440 m
Public pathrestricted bywayLength 440 mSurface gravelPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Banishead Quarry

📷 Ian Taylor · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Banishead Quarry

1 / 21

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Coniston copper minesHistoric site2.6 km→⛪St Andrew's ChurchReligious grounds2.6 km→✦Two bloomeries, 340m and 570m NNE of Hoathwaite Landing on Coniston WaterHistoric site2.5 km→🌱Lower GardensUrban park3.3 km→🌱Jackson Low WoodUrban park3.3 km→💧Seathwaite TarnReservoir3.6 km→