Welcome

Welcome to Wasdale Head and England’s smallest parish church. Wasdale Head is the birthplace of English rock climbing and many of England’s finest fells are in the parish – among them Great Gable, Pillar, Steeple, Red Pike, and the highest – Scafell Pike, so is its deepest lake, Wastwater. They jointly create a montage that was chosen as ‘Britain’s favourite view’ – see below!

Amongst these wonders of God’s creation sits the humble little church of St Olaf’s – the parish church of Wasdale Head, one of the most loved churches in Cumbria. The site has been the base of the Christian Community here for over 1000 years – though the present sturdy little stone building only dates from circa 1525, replacing an earlier wooden church (or perhaps churches – as it is unlikely that a wooden building would have lasted over 500 years). St Olaf’s can quite accurately be described as ‘a little stable, with pews, ancient beams and a flagstone floor – a perfect place to worship God’.

The church is OPEN daily from approximately 9am till shortly before dusk.