Loughrigg Fell: New book launched on Lake District mountain

Eileen Jones has penned 'Loughrigg: Tales of a Small Mountain' and was joined by supporters and climbers alike on the peak on Friday to mark its first day of publication.

The book tells of people who live on or beneath the hill, the runners who race over it, the people who have climbed it many times, the wildlife, and the natural history.

Eileen said: “It was the obvious place to launch the book.

"We had friends, tourists, locals, runners and people who just stumbled upon the celebration and stayed for some cake.

"Penny Bradshaw [University of Cumbria’s Associate Professor of English Literature] had brought homemade scones with jam and cream - it was such a good party.”

Despite the unusual location, the book launch was attended by plenty of people (Image: Eileen Jones)

A more formal and orthodox book signing was held in the evening at Ambleside Parish Centre, giving Eileen the chance to talk to the eager readers without the blustery winds of Loughrigg.

When writer and runner Eileen came to live in Ambleside, she already loved Loughrigg and, for 13 years, she has headed up to the summit every week.

"For so many, it’s their favourite fell - runners who have won major fell races throughout the Lake District, artists who have travelled the world, and especially the grown-ups who spent their childhood here, they all love Loughrigg," she said.

“Within Loughrigg’s spread lies possibly more variety and complexity of landscape and terrain in a small space than anywhere else in the Lake District.

"The fell has a peculiar and surprising history, and there have been riflemen and golfers up here along with quarry-workers and sheep farmers.”

(Image: Eileen Jones)

In the book, Eileen meets the map makers, the record-setters, the natural historians and the residents who live around fell - including the couple whose home is literally half way to the top.

You can get your copy of 'Loughrigg: Tales of a Small Mountain' for £12.99 here.