Thornthwaite via Barf up Lord's Seat: route map, distance and time
552 m · Lake District N · OS grid NY204265
Lord's Seat is the 552m high point of the forested fells between Bassenthwaite Lake and the Whinlatter Pass, climbed through Whinlatter Forest or over Barf.
A path climbs through the forest beside Beckstones Gill to Barf, then follows the ridge west to Lord's Seat.
Thornthwaite via Barf at a glance
| Distance | 3.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 480 m |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Thornthwaite village |
| Start grid reference | NY 222 255 |
| Summit grid reference | NY204265 |
Thornthwaite via Barf map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Thornthwaite via Barf takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:07, sunset 16:45. Start by 13:40 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:09, sunset 16:43. Start by 13:38 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Lord's Seat summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Lord's Seat right now. The main Lord's Seat page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Lord's Seat forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Lord's Seat
Lord's Seat is the 552m high point of the forested fells between Bassenthwaite Lake and the Whinlatter Pass, climbed through Whinlatter Forest or over Barf. More about Lord's Seat, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Broom Fell (510 m), 1 km north-west
- Barf (469 m), 1 km east
- Whinlatter (517 m), 1.9 km south-west
Challenges that include Lord's Seat
More walks from Thornthwaite village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Thornthwaite via Beckstones Gill up Barf
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 222 255, the summit at NY204265), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Thornthwaite via Barf: questions and answers
How far is Thornthwaite via Barf?
Thornthwaite via Barf is 3.3 km one way to the summit of Lord's Seat, with 480 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.6 km.
How long does Thornthwaite via Barf take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Lord's Seat and 2h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Thornthwaite via Barf?
Thornthwaite via Barf starts from Thornthwaite village. The grid reference is NY 222 255.
Is Thornthwaite via Barf suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Thornthwaite via Barf today?
By 13:40 at the latest. Sunset on Lord's Seat today is 16:45, Thornthwaite via Barf takes about 2h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Thornthwaite via Barf?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).