A Circuit from Silverdale including Eaves Wood, Arnside Park and the Coast.

Start. Silverdale (Shore Road).

Route. Silverdale (Shore Road) - Lindeth Road Woodwell Lane - Woodwell - Silverdale Green - Bottoms Lane - Eaves Wood - King William's Hill - Middlebarrow Plane - Arnside Tower - Arnside Knott Wood - Copridding Wood - New Barns Bay - New Barns Caravan Park - Arnside Point - Park Point - Far Arnside - Holgates - Cove Road - Silverdale Cove - Red Rake - The Lots - Silverdale.

Notes. God we've had some bad weather just lately, every time I've had chance to get out the forecasts been horrendous, today was no exception. Rain, sleet and hale backed by 60 to 80 mph winds, all this and a 9.7 metre tide. An adage came to mind as I stared out of the rain washed living room window, “there’s no such thing as bad weather just badly dressed walkers”, no amount of gortex could turn this deluge, I went out regardless. Silverdale was my chosen destination, if the roads were open, a lovely village standing on Morecambe Bay near the Cumbria Lancashire border. An extraordinary place often overlooked, famous for stunning scenery and superb walking, deciduous woodland, limestone grassland, crags and some stunning views across Morecambe Bay.

It was fine when I set out the tarmac of Lindeth Road under foot, by the time I reached a finger-post promising passage to Woodwell my hood was up, my head down against driving rain and hale, it was still hammering down when I reached Woodwell. Questioning my sanity I ascended Woodwell Cliff into the shelter of some ancient yews, woodland walking carried me into limestone pastures followed by more woodland, by the time I reached Silverdale Green the precipitations had stopped. That was the story for the rest of the day, periods of dry weather followed by torrential rain and hale, ridiculously strong winds ripping in off the sea, don't you just love this rambling business.

North through Silverdale Green I wandered to access sheep pastures, field walking deposited me in Bottoms Lane which in turn guided me to Eaves Wood. Initially I followed the signs for the Pepper Pot, on reaching a flight of steps and a wicket gate I left the main path, passed through said gate ascended the steps then crossed King William’s Hill to reach a stile allowing access to Middlebarrow Plane. With Middlebarrow Wood over the wall to my right and limestone pavements under foot I descended to Arnside Tower, the sad remains of this pele tower once stood proud, one of a ring of pele towers guarding the head of Morecambe Bay.

From Arnside Tower it was a short walk up the drive of Arnside Tower Farm to access the woodland of Arnside Park, with a good path to guide me I ascended the edge of Heathwaite, the wind was howling, I ignored Arnside Knot in favour of a descent through Copridding Wood to the coast. It had occurred to me, with strong winds pushing the tide in New Barns Bay may of been under water, in the event my feet stayed dry, just. Through New Barns Caravan Park I strolled bracing myself for a blustery walk along the coast, blustery turned out to be an understatement, high winds and sea spray greeted me, invisible hands trying to lift me off my feet, its rare for Morecambe Bay to be this rough . Above cliff tops I battled my way, round Arnside Point followed by Park Point, when the path split after Park Point the right hand fainter path guided me, this deposited me on the shingle bank at Far Arnside, a fabulous place to be in a storm, I hung around ages.

With the tide still rising I left, a metal gate at the rear of the beach allowed access to Far Arnside, a short tarmac walk between static caravans followed, I strolled passed the few white washed buildings of Far Arnside to a gate allowing access to muddy field paths, a slippery walk to Holgates followed. Once in the holiday park clear way-marked paths guided me to Cove Road which in turn lead to Silverdale Cove. This tiny cove sandwiched between limestone cliffs acted like a funnel, sea spray and strong wind caught me off guard nearly knocking me off my feet, I ascended Red Rake, quickly escaping the tree cover into the safety of The Lots, two fields to go, no shelter, the wind battered me, forcing the air from my lungs, sanctuary came as I descended some stone steps into the shelter of Silverdale village.

view route map.

home.

The pool at Woodwell....

....and the spring.

Eaves Wood viewed from The Park.

The way ahead, limestone pavements on Middlebarrow Plane.

Arnside Tower from the west.

From near Arnside Tower Farm the Arndale face of Arnside Knott.

En route through Arnside Park.

From the edge of Heathwaite views over Morecambe Bay and the Lancashire Coast.

Hampsfell as seen across upper Morecambe Bay.

Hailstones paint the path through Copridding Wood.

Almost high tide at New Barns Bay.

Views along the jagged edge where Arnside Park meets the waters of the Irish Sea.

Everyone loves a rainbow, a promise of better weather to come.

The long finger of Humphrey Head seen from the cliff top path near Arnside Point

Under a dark cloud Hampsfell with Grange-over-Sands to the left and little Holme Island the right.

This the Arnside/Silverdale coastal path is a wonderful place to walk in any weather.

Looking to a rain washed Know End Point.

Skirting the fringe where land meets sea.

The start of the shingle bank at Far Arnside with views to Tower Hill and Kents Bank.

Relaxing at Far Arnside, soaking up views into Lancashire.

Traversing pastures between Far Arnside and Holgates viewing the woodland of Middlebarrow Plane.

High tide at Silverdale Cove.

Ascending Red Rake looking back to sylvan Arnside Park with Hampsfell across the horizon.

I'm being wind assisted through The Lots, here's a quick snap of Arnside Knot while I'm still on my feet.

Traversing the limestone grassland of The Lots viewing Humphrey Head and Tower Hill across a rough Morecambe Bay.

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