A Short Loop from Oxenholme.

Start. Oxenholme.

Route. Oxenholme - Burton Road - Natland - Hawes Lane - Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal - Larkrigg Hall Bridge - Larkrigg Spring Wood - Horse Park - Sedgwick - Sedgwick Hill (House) Bridge - Force Bridge - Nannypie Lane - Low Wood Suspension Bridge (Wilson Place Bridge) - Hawes Bridge - Hawes Lane - Natland - Oxenholme Lane - Burton Road - Oxenholme.

Notes. An after dinner, New Years Day ramble from home, on what turned out to be a walk through the mud of the Kent valley, expected after the amount of rain we’ve had over Christmas. It turned out to be a pleasant enough walk taking in part of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal and the fast flowing River Kent. By the time we got home half the mud from the river bank was on our boots, unfortunately it was my job to clean them.

We left Oxenholme via field paths leading to Natland, from Natland Hawes Lane guided us to Crow Park Bridge where we joined the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal, the canal path was gloopy it guided us passed Larkrigg then through Larkrigg Spring Wood, we wandered through Horse Park before crossing Sedgwick Aqueduct. If you’ve got time descend the steps and take a look at the Aqueduct from the village, you won’t be disappointed. Time was against us so we continued along the canal as far as the service bridge at Wellheads Hill. I believe this is called Sedgwick Hill Bridge, I’ve always known it as Sedgwick Hall Bridge but who cares, from the single limestone arch we descended through fields to the banks of the River Kent.

Initially we followed Nannypie Lane as far as Wilson Place Bridge, another change of name it seems, it is now called Low Park Wood Suspension Bridge, a bit of a mouth full, we crossed, the field we stepped into was a mire. We made our escape heading north along the river bank as far as a muddy lane, after picking our way through another mire we joined a footpath on the left, this in turn guided us above the river, along tree lined banks followed by sheep pastures, it terminated at a stile allowing access to Hawes Lane. After a quick look over Hawes Bridge parapet we headed towards Natland, through fast fading light we walked, over the canal at Crow Park Bridge then into Natland, Oxenholme Lane then guided us out of the village depositing us on the main road within sight of Oxenholme.

view route map.

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Looking to Scout Scar from field paths above Natland.

Across the horizon Helsington Barrows.

The Helm as seen from the tarmac of Hawes Lane.

Storm damage near Crow Park on the Upper Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

If you're walking to Lancaster it's just 24 miles, the other face claims Kendal to be 3 miles.

Larkrigg Hall Bridge with Larkrigg Spring Wood beyond.

The remains of a moss painted dry stone wall in Larkrigg Spring Wood.

I included this shot because I liked the way light paints the fallen tree.

Horse Park Bridge.

Force Gorge near Sedgwick one of two limestone gorges on this stretch of the River Kent.

Two faces of the River Kent, above the gorge wide and benign, once in the gorge swift and violent but spectacular.

The River Kent below Hawes Gorge.

The start of Hawes Gorge another spectacular element that makes the Kent a stunning companion on a riverside ramble.

Hawes Gorge.

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