THREE options to improve the summit of a much-loved Lake District fell were due to be discussed at a meeting last night.

Members of Windermere Town Council heard at their October meeting that 39,000 people visited Elleray Woods and the Orrest Head summit between May and September this year. The figures came from a counter set up by the Lake District National Park Authority.

But members heard that the summit is often muddy and waterlogged and there is a wide variety of bench seating, some in better condition than others.

Cllr Adrian Legge told the meeting that with so many people visiting such a highly regarded attraction it was now time to "seriously consider" how the summit of Orrest Head could be improved and the following three options were to be discussed at a meeting of the council last night:

l Simply improving the drainage and surface of the summit ground

l Improve the drainage and surface and install new benches which have good design and condition

l Do both of the above and possibly install a summit feature which would provide further seating and the potential of further interpretation of the views

The woods and summit are in the ownership of the town council and Cllr Legge indicated that he would be putting forward a proposal as part of next year's budget. The LDNPA is currently fundraising to finalise the accessible path through the woods to the summit, using the old carriage drive. It also has proposals to improve the summit.

Orrest Head was the fell that walking guide book author Alfred Wainwright climbed on his first trip to the Lake District. He wrote β€œIt was a moment of magic, a revelation so unexpected that I stood transfixed, unable to believe my eyes.”

The fell so inspired Wainwright that he left his native Blackburn to set up home in Kendal in order to spend his life wandering the fells.

On top of the fell is a viewing panorama which names many of the key fells visible from the summit which includes the Old Man of Coniston, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Fairfield and the Langdale Pikes.