About Dodd

Dodd is a small fell in the Lake District, four kilometres north-west of Keswick. It forms part of the Skiddaw range in the northern part of the national park and the slopes are heavily wooded.

In recent years Dodd and Dodd Wood have become a magnet for visitors as the area around the southern end of Bassenthwaite Lake is home to the only pair of nesting Ospreys in northern England.

An open-air viewing platform was opened on the slopes of Dodd in June 2001 which gives a clear view of the nest from a safe distance.

Dodd Wood is one of the diminishing strongholds of the Red Squirrel in Great Britain and the Forestry Commission, along with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, have begun a campaign of protection from the Grey Squirrel.

The top of the fell is marked by a stone memorial pillar with a brass plaque that says "In memory of John Lole and Ian Sandelands, Ist Seaton Scout Group".

The view from the top is excellent for a fell of modest height, encompassing the entirety of Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water.

The high mountains of Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Bowfell 21 km away to the south and the hills of Dumfries and Galloway are also visible to the north-west.

Dodd is generally climbed from the car park at the Old Sawmill tea room (grid reference: NY235281) on the A591 road, opposite the Mirehouse where there is a waymarked route right up to the summit of the fell.

It is possible to continue the walk from Dodd to take in the adjoining fell of Carl Side and then continue to the summit of Skiddaw, one of England’s few 3,000-foot mountains.