Topography
In common with its slightly higher sibling, Little Mell Fell presents as a rounded dome with fairly steep grass slopes, and is relatively isolated from other fells. Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells described it as "an uninspiring, unattractive bare and rounded hump- the sublime touch that made a wonderland of the district overlooked Little Mell."
Unlike Great Mell Fell however, it does have one visible connection to other fells. Due south from the summit is The Hause, a narrow col crossed by a minor road. From here a ridge of high ground swings south west, running parallel to the shore of Ullswater until it culminates at Gowbarrow Fell. There are a number of intermediate tops along the way, including Great Meldrum (1,433 ft) Little Meldrum (1,325 ft) and Watermillock Common (1,391 ft, unnamed on Ordnance Survey maps).
Little Mell Fell also manages to send a short grassy spur out to the north west. Between this and the main body of the fell is the source of Thackthwaite Gill, a tributary of Dacre Beck and, ultimately, of the Eden. The fell has a few tiny areas of broadleaved plantation, but otherwise is bare, the lower slopes being parcelled up into fields for agriculture.
Notices indicate the presence of adders on the fell.
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