Binsey is a hill on the northern edge of the Lake District in Cumbria, England. It is detached from the rest of the Lakeland hills, and thus provides a good spot to look out at the Northern and North Western Fells of the Lake District, as well as the coastal plain and, across the Solway Firth, Scotland. Snaefell on the Isle of Man is also visible on a clear day. It is the northernmost of the Wainwrights.

Topography Binsey stands on the otherwise low-level watershed separating the catchments of the Ellen to the north and the Derwent to the south. A slight ridge connects it to Great Cockup in the main massif of the Northern Fells, two miles to the south east. Binsey itself has a rounded form, but is subjectively more prominent than the similar Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell.

The 'pudding basin' shape holds all around Binsey except to the north west where a ridge descends over Whitas Park to a depression containing the remains of a Roman fort. Beyond is St John's Hill () (called Caermote Hill in Wainwright's Outlying Fells) which is topped by an earthwork called 'The Battery'. Finally the ridge descends to the village of Bothel in the Ellen Valley.

Binsey sends out a further spur to the east, culminating in the top of Latrigg () – not to be confused with Latrigg near Keswick. Beneath Latrigg is Over Water, a large tarn where the water level was raised by damming in 1920 to provide drinking water for Wigton.Blair, Don: Exploring Lakeland Tarns: Lakeland Manor Press (2003): The outflow of Over Water feeds the Ellen, as does Humble Jumble Gill which drains Binsey's northern flank.

The hill is largely grass and heather, with only one significant outcrop of rock, West Crag. Flanking the eastern slopes of the fell is a thin belt of mixed woodland and a further plantation sits below West Crag.

Summit The summit is crowned by a tumulus whose stones have been raided to produce several small circular wind-shelters. There is also a modern cairn atop the tumulus and a trig point. Regarding the view, Wainwright stated: '...it is a most excellent station for appraising the Northern Fells as a preliminary to their exploration...it is a viewpoint of outstanding merit.'Wainwright, Alfred: A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells,Book 5 The Northern Fells: Far to the south the Coniston Fells can be seen, almost away, while to the north the Solway Firth and the hills of Scotland are visible.

Geology The hill is formed from volcanic rocks, namely various sub-units of the Eycott Volcanic Group,Birkett, Bill: Complete Lakeland Fells: Collins Willow (1994): which consists of basaltic andesite, andesite and rhyolitic lavas.British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, England & Wales Sheet 29: BGS (1999)British Geological Survey 12997 Cockermouth England and Wales sheet 23 Solid & Drift geology. 1;50,000 (Keyworth, Nottingham: BGS) There are several small disused quarries to the east and north.

Ascents The hill can be climbed by several routes, perhaps most simply beginning in the south-east (Parking on the road between Binsey Lodge and Fell Side Farm), following a track to the summit. An alternative is along a lane from the A591 road, just north of Bewaldeth. From the top of the lane a loop to the left and behind a disused pit will enable the track across the summit to be picked up. Wainwright also lists a further route from High Ireby.

Views from the summit The following Wainwrights are visible on a clear day: NoFellHeading (°)Distance (m)1Longlands Fell90.73.22High Pike (Caldbeck)92.25.23Brae Fell92.54.04Great Sca Fell102.94.35Meal Fell106.13.86Knott108.84.77Great Cockup113.33.38Great Calva122.44.99Blencathra127.57.810Bakestall138.33.911Skiddaw150.34.612Carl Side157.15.013Long Side160.54.614Ullock Pike163.04.415High Raise (Langdale)166.916.516Sergeant's Crag167.615.317Harrison Stickle167.617.818Thunacar Knott167.817.519Wetherlam168.621.820Pike of Stickle169.117.821Pike of Blisco170.619.722Rosthwaite Fell170.814.523Swirl How171.322.024Great Carrs171.521.725Old Man of Coniston171.823.626Brim Fell172.023.227Catbells172.19.828Glaramara174.215.629Maiden Moor175.110.830Bowfell175.118.131High Spy176.312.032Allen Crags176.516.833Esk Pike176.717.434Barrow178.28.535Great End178.716.936Dale Head179.612.637Scafell Pike180.917.638Causey Pike181.49.139Hindscarth181.811.840Great Gable182.215.741Scafell182.618.142Outerside184.78.843Scar Crags185.39.344Barf185.75.545Robinson186.111.746Sail188.99.647Grisedale Pike190.68.248Crag Hill191.19.749Lord's Seat192.05.750Whinlatter193.96.851Hopegill Head195.48.752Grasmoor197.09.953Broom Fell198.25.654Whiteside199.38.955Mellbreak203.311.556Sale Fell206.54.157Graystones206.66.458Great Borne206.813.559Hen Comb207.112.360Crag Fell210.115.461Gavel Fell211.512.662Ling Fell211.85.263Low Fell213.29.764Blake Fell214.912.165Burnbank Fell217.311.566Fellbarrow218.49.1 The Lakeland prospect occupies only 130° of the whole, the lowest figure for any Lakeland fell. Remarkably, the southernmost Wainwright (Coniston Old Man) is visible from the northernmost (Binsey); at 23.6 miles, this is the longest line of sight between two Wainwrights. The furthest point visible on a clear day is the top of Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, in Mourne, away.

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