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The Wainwrights
Between 1955 and 1966 Alfred Wainwright hand-drew seven Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. The 214 fells he chose have become England's best-loved round, from Castle Crag at 290 m to Scafell Pike at 978 m.
CRITERIA — Every fell given a chapter in the seven Pictorial Guides
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Field notes
On completing the Wainwrights
Walk the books, not the list
Wainwright arranged the fells into seven areas. Ticking a whole book — the Northern Fells, say — gives shape to a campaign and keeps driving time down.
Group your rounds
Many fells cluster into natural horseshoes: the Fairfield Horseshoe collects eight, the Newlands Round six. Plan ridge days and the count climbs quickly.
Save some favourites
A common regret is finishing on a fell you feel nothing for. Completers traditionally end on something special — Haystacks, where Wainwright's ashes were scattered, is a popular choice.
Winter is for the little ones
Low fells such as Catbells, Latrigg and Loughrigg are superb in frost and low light — keep them for short days and save long ridges for summer.