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The River Rawthey, Brigflatts and Sedbergh.

Start. Sedbergh.

Route. Sedbergh - Vicarage Lane - New Bridge - River Rawthey - Dent Road - Millthrop Bridge - Akay Wood - Pepperpot - Birks House - Birks - A683 - Brigflatts - Birks - Sedbergh Cemetery - Busk Lane - Sedbergh School - St Andrew's Church - Sedbergh.

Notes. The attractive market town of Sedbergh oozes old world charm, developed at the confluence of four rivers where ancient trade routes meet, what was once a busy terminus is now a sleepy backwater. Sedbergh never seems to get busy, why? I don’t know it sits at the foot of some fabulous walking country, high hills, low hills, steep climbs, not so many easy climbs but there’s always valley walking, and that is what this mornings short excursion was all about.

Today's walk was an afterthought, so to avoid the overcrowded Lake District I headed to Sedbergh a valley walk in mind. It was gone ten when I rolled into town, I quickly laced my boots threw my bag over my back then set out down Vicarage Lane, when the lane swung sharp left I turned and headed back to the car for the camera. Back on track Vicarage Lane ushered me to a narrow stile next to a fine old building which I presumed was the Old Vicarage, passed the building I walked followed by Settlebeck School, way marked paths then guided me to New Bridge and the banks of the River Rawthay.

For the next two and a half miles the river would be my companion, not always at close quarters but never very far away. Along it’s tree lined banks I walked, passed a weir that once supplied water to power the machinery at Millthrop Mill, the path then climbed towards Winder House before descending to access the Dent Road above Millthrop Bridge, once at the bridge a finger-post invited me to Birks, this path I followed through sheep pastures into the grounds that once belonged to the Akay Estate, the house has long gone but the woods are stunning with some fine trees and if you care to look a little closer remnants of what was once a grand house.

Way marked paths guided me through the woodland passed a restored tower known locally as the Pepperpot, this was also part of the Akay Estate. Back on the river bank I wandered through long shadows, passed Birks House then into the tiny hamlet of Birks, with tarmac under foot I strolled to a large mill complex, I then re-joined the riverside path. Sandwiched between the mill race and high fences of the sewage works I wandered on to access more open pastures, past the confluence of the River Dee and River Rawthey I wandered before crossing the defunct Ingleton Branch Line, at this point Rawthey Bridge a once fine railway bridge spans the river. My route continued in the company of the river until reaching the busy A683.

I carefully walked east towards Sedbergh until reaching the narrow tarmac lane that lead to the Quaker Meeting House at Brigflatts. George Fox visited the area in 1652, so impressed were the local communities the meeting house was built in 1674-75, visit it if you’re in the area, there’s an aura about the place, the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. I sat in the garden having a brew, it was like slipping back in time, almost a spiritual experience.

From Brigflatts field paths guided me back into the present, first under the Ingleton Branch Line then through fields between electric fences, designed to keep horses in or ramblers out. Field walking terminated at Birks, I let the tarmac lane guide me as far as Sedbergh Cemetery, which I wandered through to access Busk Lane, I then joined a path that cut between the buildings of prestigious Sedbergh School, this path deposited me back in Sedbergh, the streets were still quiet, it was going on for one o'clock and the place was still asleep.

view route map.

home.

Vicarage Lane my guide into the promised land.

At the foot of the lane a fine old building, the Old Vicarage.

New Bridge over the River Rawthey.

Weir down stream from New Bridge once provided water to power the machinery at Millthrop Mill.

For a brief moment the path ascends to Winder House gifting the lucky rambler stunning views to Baugh Fell.

Millthrop Bridge.

The River Rawthey above Millthrop Bridge.

The Pepperpot, originally a stone gazebo belonging to Akay House, which once stood in the woods I've just walked through, some people say it was built for the daughter of the house who suffered from TB.