A Circuit from Milnthorpe including Dallam Park, Deepdale, Underlaid Wood, Arnside Moss and the Coast.
Start. Milnthorpe.
Route. Milnthorpe - Old Bridge - Dallam Park - Beetham - Beetham Hall - Hale Fell - Slack Head Marble Quarry - Deepdale - Slack Head - Underlaid Wood - Whin Scar - Hazelslack - Arnside Moss - Sandside - Dallam Park - Old Bridge - Milnthorpe.
Notes. The weather gods were smiling today, the sun was shining and the wind had dropped, all around was that wonderful light you get after a spell of bad weather, the sort photographers dream of. I had jobs to do at home so was forced to make a late start, with no time to get into the hills I drove to Milnthorpe, my plan a long circular walk, hopefully ending late in the day to capture sunset over the estuary.
A point worth mentioning before setting off, my plan was to visit the Fighting Cocks at Arnside, grab something to eat before wandering back, if I'd stuck to that strategy I would have got the sunset shots I wanted and my feet would of stayed dry. Never take a short cut across anything that ends in the word moss, especially after a night of heavy rain, Arnside Moss in particular.
My day started wandering to Beetham, south through Dallam Park, from Beetham I followed field paths passing Beetham Hall to gain access to the woodland on Hale Fell. Hidden in the woods is the Slack Head Marble Quarry, I hunted this out before following the tarmac lane to Slack Head, a short walk down hill followed until a finger-post announced I'd reached the path to the Fairy Steps. Walking through woodland I soon stepped into a clearing above the Whin Scar cliffs, after descending the cliffs more woodland walking followed before stepping into the fields above Hazelslack. On way marked paths I wandered towards Arnside before making the mistake of crossing Arnside Moss, I squelched and paddled, bog hopped and jumped my way across, eventually reaching the Sandside Road at a small car park. From the car park a path accesses the old Hincaster/Arnside branch line, this marked the start of a delightful walk back along the edge of the upper reaches of Morecambe Bay.
Seen from Old Bridge, Dallam Tower across the River Bela.
The scene over Dallam Park as far as the limestone plateau of Whitbarrow.
Ascend a little higher and the formidable cliffs of the White Scar face of Whitbarrow tilt into view across the Kent Channel.
The Dallam Park Fallow Deer.
Beetham Hall one of the best examples of a 14th century fortified manor house in the northwest of England, unfortunately not open to the public.
Farleton Fell seen from near Beetham Hall.
In the woods on Hale Fell in search of the Slack Head Marble Quarry....
....and here it is, a unique limestone pavement, once prized for building material now protected.
Deep in the woods a few paces off the main path, well hidden from view this wonderful tract of limestone grassland, it looks un grazed I guess in spring and summer there will be a mass of flowers across the field, make a note, "must come back next year".
Above the Whin Scar cliffs with a stunning view to Arnside and Grange-over-Sands.
Underlaid Wood seen from the old Corps Route to Beetham.
Hazelslack Tower another fortified manor house.
Standing ankle deep in mud, looking through a curtain of reeds to Underlaid Wood home to Whin Scar and the Fairy Steps.
This is Arnside Moss, it doesn't look that wet, believe me it is, I'm looking at the map counting the field boundaries in a vain attempt to work out how far it is to dry ground.
Striding out along the Arnside/Hincaster branch line looking to Whitbarrow, to the right the Kentmere Fells.
Seen over the Kent Channel, above the viaduct the wooded slopes of Hampsfell.
Late afternoon sunlight on Whitbarrow.
Quite a stunning view over Milnthorpe Sands, with Shipman Knotts and Kentmere Pike in sunlight, Harter Fell in shadow to the left, to the right Green Quarter Fell.
Milnthorpe Sands with views to the south.
Over the confluence of the Kent and Bela the lowlands of Lyth Valley.
Once washed by the sea, the impressive cliffs of Whitbarrow rises high above Foulshaw.
Heversham Head rises above Milnthorpe Marsh.
An absolute stunning view to a distant Lakeland skyline.
Seen from the weir at Milnthorpe Bridge, Dallam Park.
Viewing the modern white-washed houses of Milnthorpe, I was asked by a couple out walking what the tower on the hill was?, I hadn't got a clue, when I got home I went in search of the answer. St Anthony's Tower built by Henry Smithers as a monument to the great reform bill of 1832, a celebration of the extension of the right to vote, basically it was a V sign to the owners of Dallam Tower whom were against the bill.