Arnside and the Pepper Pot.

Start. Arnside.

Route. Arnside - Grubbins Wood - New Barns - Blackstone Point - White Creek - Arnside Point - Park Point - Far Arnside - Silverdale Cove - Cove Road - Elmslack - Eaves Wood - Pepper Pot - Middlebarrow Wood - Arnside Tower - Arnside Knott Wood - Arnside Knott - Red Hills - Red Hills Wood - High Knott Road - Red Hills Road - Silverdale Road - Arnside.

Notes. What can I say that I haven't already said about Arnside. Until Victorian industrialists arrived with bulging wallets and big ambitions Arnside consisted of one building, an inn, in a bid to escape the pandemonium of the industrial revolution they built fine houses and schools, hopefully the clean air of upper Morecambe Bay would rejuvenate their failing airways. For us poorer walkers the area is a veritable paradise, cliff paths, woodland ways and stunning limestone scenery, plus the wildlife that inhabits it, and today a cloudless sky, almost perfection.

It was hat and gloves and in my case three layers as I wandered down the estuary, a concrete path soon gave way to Morecambe Bay mud, but today it was frozen solid, a delight to walk across. After rounding New Barns and the cliffs at Blackstone Point I decided to chance my luck strolling over the shifting sands of the bay. Take care walking the bay, keep near the shore, this beautiful benign landscape hides many dangers, don't get complacent many lives have been lost, in fact I think it would be safer if you dear reader followed the cliff top path, I'd hate to lose you. I chanced the sands most of the way to Silverdale Cove, only being forced onto shore at one point, soft sand and a deep gully blocked my way. Once at Silverdale Cove I stopped for a brew and a chat to fellow walkers enjoying this exceptional day.

Once refreshed Cove Road guided me to a finger-post promising passage to Elmslack, I took it's advice, the path guided me between plush properties depositing me on the edge of Eaves Wood. I ascended to the limestone escarpment of Castlebarrow, home to the Pepper Pot and wonderful views. After sitting a while soaking them up I wandered north-east, a finger-post pointed to the car park, after passing through a dell followed by a wall gap I turned left, passed through a wicket gate before ascending a flight of steps, these limestone stairs once allowed access to a summer house, they now access a path leading to a stile marking the path to Arnside Tower.

The oldest building In the parish once guarded Arndale the only dry route to Arnside, alas how things have changed, the tower is a ruin and drainage has helped re-claim vast tracts of wet land. I left Arnside Tower via Arnside Tower Farm, the farm lane ushered me to the start of a bridleway carving a route across the shoulder of Arnside Knott. Through Arnside Knott Wood I strolled, ancient yew trees, birch and oak shaded the path, after passing through a gate I turned right, another gate permitted me to access the lower slopes of Arnside Knott. The climb was steep(ish), yews again shaded my route, I was soon on the summit enjoying my usual wander around, drinking in stunning vistas to all points of the compass. My route off the hill passed through Red Hills then Red Hills Wood to access High Knott Road, all that remained a short walk through the streets of Arnside.

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Early morning views down the estuary from the pier at Arnside.

The first use of jetted piles in the British Isles was for the construction of two major railway viaducts across river estuaries joining Morecambe Bay for the Ulverston & Lancaster Railway. One of these is the Kent Viaduct over the Kent estuary at Arnside, 50 spans in all carry the railway from shore to shore.

Rising above the Kent Estuary the limestone cliffs and wooded slopes of Meathop Fell.

Frith Wood across New Barns Bay with the white washed buildings of Grange to the right.

The remains of the short jetty at Blackstone point, once used to transport iron stone and farm products to similar jetty's scattered around Morecambe Bay.

Arnside Knott as seen from White Creek.

Strolling over the sands of Morecambe Bay, looking down the jagged edge where sylvan Arnside Park spills into the bay.

Passing below limestone cliffs en route to Park Point.

Stunning conditions across Morecambe Bay, the Lancashire coast backed by Clougha Pike and the hills of Bowland.

On the far side of the bay, through quick sand, hidden gullies and river channels lies the long finger of Humphrey Head.

I've been forced onto the cliff top path, considerably safer than attempting to cross the water channel below.

Magical views taking in Grange over Sands, and the cliffs and woodland of Arnside Park.

Hidden coves, limestone cliffs and sylvan Arnside Park, the majestic Arnside/Silverdale coast.

Approaching Silverdale Cove.

Rising from the limestone escarpment of Castlebarrow an old friend the Pepper Pot, erected in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee.

The oldest building in the parish, Arnside Tower was built in the late 14th or early 15th century, and was a free standing tower, most pele towers had outbuildings or were attached to a house or hall of some sort.

Viewing Arnside Knott from Arnside Tower.

On view from near Arnside Tower Farm, painted with a dusting of snow, Ingleborough.

Wonderful views from the ascent of Arnside Knott.

Changing seascapes of shimmering channels and big skies, seen from Arnside Knott.

Arnside Knott provides a fine view point, the upper reaches of Morecambe Bay and Grange over Sands.

On Red Hills looking to Red Hills Wood, the Kent Viaduct, Whitbarrow all backed by a saw tooth skyline of snow capped Lakeland giants.

A landscape painted in it's Autumn best, over Beetham Fell and Underlaid Wood the limestone cliffs of Farleton Fell.

Ingleborough as seen from Red Hills.

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