A Circuit from Arnside including Beetham Fell and Arnside Knott.
Start. Arnside.
Route. Arnside - Railway Station - Sandside - St John's Cross - Green Lane - Storth - Yan's Lane - Underlaid Wood - Cockshot Lane - Beetham Fell - Slack Head - Dollywood Lane - Storth Road - Hazelslack - Black Dyke - Middlebarrow Wood - Arnside Tower - Arnside Knott Wood - Arnside Knott - Red Hills - Red Hills Wood - Arnside.
Notes. A chance to walk off the excesses of Christmas, a chance to stretch the legs and clear the head. I made a late start, it was snowing when I opened the curtains, snow shower over with a hint of sunshine on the western horizon I threw some gear into my bag, grabbed the camera and made the short drive to good old Arnside.
The foot-bridge at Arnside Railway Station was my gateway out of the village, the track bed of the Arnside/Hincaster Railway guided me north to Sandside, or to be more precise St John's Cross, the dip in the road. Turning my back on the estuary I ascended Green Lane to access Storth. I wandered across the small village green, passed the Post Office and into Yan's Lane, the lane ushered me passed the playing fields, between exclusive properties to a welcome finger-post inviting me to Cockshot Lane. Through mixed woodland on way-marked paths I wandered, over limestone scars veneered by mosses and lichens, on reaching Cockshot Lane I turned right then almost immediately left to join the well walked foot-path to the Fairy Steps. I've visited the narrow cleft in the Whin Scar cliffs many times so I ignored the Fairy Steps today, instead wandering over Beetham Fell to access Slack Head. Back on tarmac I wandered up the hill turning right at the top, still wandering over tarmac I continued on to Dollywood Lane, a finger-post announced the start of this secondary road, you wouldn't like to drive a car along it. Through woodland between hedge rows and dry stone walls I descended to be deposited at Hazelslack. After wandering through the farm I joined a permissive footpath that guided me through limestone pastures to Black Dyke. Promise me you won't walk across Black Dyke with your head down, lift your eyes, take a look at the fascinating landscape you're walking through. Arnside was once almost an island, at high tide, these fields would flood, the hollows are salt pits, apart from the odd place name all that remain of a once lucrative industry.
The path guided me under the railway line where I turned left, with a green trod under foot and the railway to guide me I headed to Middlebarrow Wood swinging right as soon as I stepped into the woods, a good path then guided me to Arnside Tower. From the ruinous peal tower I passed through Arnside Tower Farm before entering Arnside Knott Wood. I ascended the knott at the first opportunity, just killing time hoping for a spectacular sun set. Sleet and snow accompanied my ascent, cold, wet and miserable I slowly climbed the hill, suddenly I was hit by a kaleidoscope of gold's, browns and oranges, a rent in the cloud allowed the sun to reach the tide filled bay reflecting the light with unbelievable intensity, my eyes ran with tears a I stared across the bay, then as fast as it came it was gone, at least the sleet had stopped. I passed through the wicket gate allowing access to Red Hills, descended the pastures before entering Red Hills Wood, a short walk through the wood saw me striding through the now wet streets of Arnside hoping for a sunset that never arrived.
Seen from the path behind Arnside Railway Station, Whitbarrow and the snow covered hills of South Lakeland.
Arnside Knott as viewed from the north.
Approaching Sandside, the houses are St John's Cross, the old port of Milnthorpe.
En route over Beetham Fell.
Limestone pastures off Dollywood Lane.
Hazelslack Tower.
Looking to Arnside Knott from the salt pits on Black Dyke.
The strange undulating landscape of Black Dyke.
From the sheep pastures of Arndale views to Middlebarrow Wood.
Arnside Tower viewed from the east.
Seen from the edge of Middlebarrow Wood, sylvan Arnside Knott.
Ascending Arnside Knott with wonderful views over Silverdale to the hills of Bowland.
Stunning views over Know End Point taking in the massive ark of the Lancashire coast.
Humphrey Head and the Furness Peninsula seen through the diffused light of a sleet and snow shower.
From the southern edge of Arnside Knott, astonishing vistas over Arnside Park.
Terrific views over the pastures of Arndale, including Know Hill and the rising waters of Morecambe Bay.
The amazing golden glow of an early winters evening.
An enchanting view east from above the southern slopes of Arnside Knott.
The shower has passed leaving a brilliant glow over Morecambe Bay, and me looking, and feeling like a drowned rat.
Seen from Red Hills, upper Morecambe Bay, Whitbarrow and the white painted hills of Lakeland.
Views south from the Compensation Pier at Arnside, I fear that's the nearest I'm going to get to a sun set.