Life of a Mountain

Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Blencathra

​The spectacular finale of the ‘Life of a Mountain’ trilogy is here. From multi-award winning filmmaker, author, photographer and GetOutside Champion Terry Abraham, it takes us on a breath-taking journey of a year in the life of the Lake District's most popular peak, Helvellyn.

Nearly three years in the making, it'll take your breath away as we see Cumbria like never before.

Life of a Mountain: A Year On Helvellyn

Watch on BBC4, 9pm 26th Jan

This spectacular BBC4 film features a year in the life of the Lake District National Park’s most popular peak, Helvellyn. Three years in the making, award winning filmmaker Terry Abraham’s photography captures the beauty of the Lakeland fells and wildlife through the seasons and the insights of those that live by, care for and visit the mountain.

The film’s wide ranging contributors share their passions and expertise in Helvellyn and its environment, which include mapping the landscape with OS, nature, adventure sports, art, survival, history and an exhilarating RAF low level fighter plane flight through this stunning and much loved area of Great Britain.

Catch up on the trilogy

Critically acclaimed ‘Life of a Mountain: Scafell Pike’ (2015) and ‘Life of a Mountain: Blencathra’ (2017) have already been enjoyed by millions of viewers across the globe.

More from Terry Abraham

Follow in Terry's footsteps

Terry has explored every inch of the Lake District. He shares one of his favourite places to walk below around Heughscar Hill.

Askham Fell aka Heughscar Hill walk OS paper map: OL5

This is one of my local haunts I have to admit and a dear favourite of mine. I've spent many hours up here filming scenes for 'Life of a Mountain: Helvellyn'. Starting in one of the Eden Valley's most beautiful villages, we follow accessible trails on a gentle climb to take in heavenly views of Ullswater little-recognised by the masses. It's always good to explore and discover new places after all. Even on a busy Bank Holiday or during the height of summer, you'll often find peace and solitude up here with only skylarks for company. What I particularly love about this leisurely walk (or cycle) is we take in lots of history of the area.

Askham provides several amenities and is a delight to explore in itself but not before long we're out on well trodden trails leading out onto the high moors with fresh air and possibly the weather in your face. Do take note and respect the native fell ponies that gather in the area. These hardy creatures are criminally overlooked when compared to the iconic Herdwick but are a boon for conservation but sadly are small in number. Back in the mists of time the fell pony would've been used by shepherds or transporting goods and would've been a common sight amongst many of the fells of Lakeland.

Autumn dawn light on Helvellyn from Askham Fell ©Terry Abraham


Autumn dawn light on Helvellyn from Askham Fell ©Terry Abraham

Fog rolling over Askham Fell ©Terry Abraham


Fog rolling over Askham Fell ©Terry Abraham

Raise and Glenridding Dodd in autumn from Askham Fell ©Terry Abraham


Raise and Glenridding Dodd in autumn from Askham Fell ©Terry Abraham

Locally referred to as Askham Fell, Heughscar Hill is a limestone escarpment and affords epic views of both Ullswater and the surrounding fells particularly Helvellyn as it appears to be perfectly frames on the horizon at the head of England's "most beautiful lake".

Leading down to the Ullswater Way you are likely to encounter more visitors but it's worth visiting The Cockpit, a neolithic stone circle; one of several out on the moor in these parts. You'll be near to the roman road which heads onwards to High Street and eventually Ambleside too.

Whether you are only out for an hour or two or wish to linger at a slow pace taking in the views, this route offers much for the discerning walker, cyclist and families. And if you're lucky during the autumn or winter months you may well find yourself having left Askham in thick fog to only be up on the top above a sea of cloud with only the high ground poking out the murk.

Lake District Map set

Autobiography: Life on the Mountains

In his autobiography Life on the Mountains, Terry tells us about his childhood, the impact that the death of his grandparents had during his formative years.

And how, in the aftermath of redundancy, he turned his life around to achieve his ambition to become an extraordinary film producer.

Get your copy now at 10% off thanks to Inspired by Lakeland using disocunt code GetOutside10. Plus add Terry's 2021 calendar to your collection too at 40% off using the discount code TERRY21.

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Published 14/10/2020