Clough Head
North Lakes – 5 Km ESE of Keswick
W - NW + Nil Wind
Overview
A large impressive site which is good in light wind or thermic conditions.
The site gives easy access to the chain of high ridges running south towards Helvellyn.
For those with a Pilot (Hill) rating it can be the start of an exhilarating ridge-run down to Grasmere and beyond.
Height (AMSL): 1470' / 448m
Top to bottom: 1017' / 310m
Site officer: Tom Blakely 07962402223
Important!
A fee of £2 per pilot is to be paid for landing in the Hill Top Farm fields.
Please leave your money on the windowsill at the farm. (see photo 2).
If you intend to use a field please pay before you fly.
We have permission to land in the right hand field closest to the road (looking from the hill) provided it is free of sheep or long grass (hay).
If at all uncertain, ask which field at Hill Top Farm.
Then, if possible, put a windsock in the nominated field and message the info on the TELEGRAM group/s (to save further disturbing Mr & Mrs Bell).
During lambing or hay making you may find all the landing fields are closed.
If so then land on the fellside or don't fly.
Do not land in any other valley fields anywhere near the Clough site - except in emergency.
If the fields are not too wet, on request at Hilltop Farm and payment of £1 per car, you may be allowed to park in one of their fields.
Locals have specifically requested that we are careful where we park - this is a busy area and there have been serious problems with inconsiderate parking.
Landing at Grasmere
If you fly down the ridge and land here, note the advice below. It is important we comply.
Local pilot rep: Chris little 07307 864418
Access
Car park OS grid ref: NY316230
Getting there
From Penrith or Keswick, take the A66 and turn off onto the B5322 at Threlkeld. If travelling from the Ambleside/Grasmere direction take the A591 north and turn off onto the B5322 at St. John's in the Vale. The access track (old coach road) to the fellside starts 'here'.
The best parking is if Hilltop Farm has availability, although there is limited parking around the start of the track - DO NOT CAUSE any obstructions! There is some parking on the B5322.
If you have a 4x4 you can drive up the track passing through two gates to the open fell. The car parking area is 80m / 250' higher in a flat quarry (hidden from view) on the right of the steep, loose and poorly maintained track.
Getting to take off
Make for a suitable take off area on Threlkeld Knots that rise above the quarry to the south-east. The path is vague to start with but you will soon find a more definite track that can be followed to the take off area. In light/nil wind conditions it may be necessary to go right to the summit of Clough Head itself. This is a stiff 1180'/360m of ascent from the quarry.
Permission to use the site
Hill Top Farm (main access) and three other local farms.
Flying
Hazards
Pilots should be reasonably experienced to cope with certain conditions found at and around the site, especially during the spring months.
Consider the wind speed due to compression over the shallow summit slopes. Keep well forward and crab north if getting blown back.
Beware of scratching too close to the cliffs in thermic conditions or if the wind has a little south in it.
St John's in the Vale valley has a lot of RAF activity, so it is advised to CANP this site before flying.
Also see 'Landing Area' note re: Grasmere.
Take Off
The take off area is grassy and covers a large area. Its a matter of picking the best area given the previaling wind direction. Recommended practise is to make a few beats in the Threkeld Knotts area before making for the Wanthwaite Crags area. The scoop to the south of take off can be a bit sinky so its best to get a bit of height before making the traverse. You can usually get good lift over Wanthwaite but be aware that this area is pretty unforgiving. If the wind is south of west you may need to be careful here.
Take off options include the northern end of Threlkeld Knotts, or slightly higher set back. Other options include from the top of Clough Head roughly between here and here.
Landing Areas
See landing instructions in the restrictions section.
The four Hilltop Farm landing fields are here. A windsock is very useful in the bottom landing field - not least to show other pilots the correct field for the day. It can be lifty over the landing fields: prepare to be patient - the fields are separated by dry stone walls which are very unforgiving.
Care when top & especially side landing on the fellside due to hidden rocks - the best rock free place is north of Threlkeld Knotts next to the track (see map).
In fresh winds there can be a significant venturi effect to the north of Threlkeld Knotts, so if landing here be ready to keep forward.
Landing at Grasmere
STAY SAFE: On any good day military fast jets and transport aircraft may fly along the middle of the valley and through a pinchpoint over Grasmere at ~200ft, making this area extremely dangerous, plus they cannot turn left or right to bail out. To deconflict, keep out of the middle of the valley below ridge height and lose height over the east side of the valley staying close to the slope and traversing to the landing field late.
Your first choice of landing field should be the Grasmere Showground, ideally the large central section in front of the pavilion. When landing you must keep well clear of any caravans/motorhomes/tents/etc by using the central or southerly areas of the showground, and never climb walls or fences. This is vital to retain good relations with the Sports Committee, YOU WILL PUT OUR ACCESS AT RISK IF ANY OF THIS IS IGNORED. The showground is large and easy to spot from the air, it is south-east of Grasmere village and next to the A591 main road.
If the showground has an obvious major event in progress (e.g. the Fred Whitton cycle race) or is otherwise full of campers, then you must land elsewhere. The alternatives, in order of preference, are the field immediately north of the showground (which has a public right of way through it) or the field immediately across the road south of the showground (which maybe be unsuitable on the day as it can be used for event car parking).
Only land elsewhere if there is an event in progress and the alternative fields are either crammed with livestock, has ewes with lambs in it, is in hay or full of cars. And then only do so with great care, valley land is precious in Grasmere and the farmers rely on the valley to make their living; please be respectful of this. Also there are many overhead wire hazards that are difficult to see from the air, especially near the A591 and the built up area of Grasmere village.
In a dire emergency, your personal safety takes precedence over the above.
Flying
In nil wind or light wind conditions the site offers the potential for some great triangle flights. The site is often considered an 'afternoon site' after the sun has warmed up the cliffs. Although the sea breeze can occasionally reach Clough Head, it doesn't present any particular hazard, but (as usual) kills the thermals. Avoid any ground skimming over the lower slopes especially during the lambing period (Feb - May). Clough Head is a valued hang gliding site which poses few problems but there are limited landing opportunities between Helvellyn and Seat Sandal (forest and water). Do not get too low.
XC potential
The site gives excellent XC potential with routes to the south along the Helvellyn Range and on towards Ambleside and Kendal and routes over the high fells heading south east towards the Howgills and the Yorkshire Dales.
