Classic Arnside.
Start. Arnside.
Route. Arnside - Old Boat Yard - Red Hills Road - Red Hills Wood - Red Hills - Arnside Knott - Heathwaite - Far Arnside - Park Point - Arnside Point - White Creek - Blackstone Point - New Barns Bay - Old Boat Yard - Arnside.
Notes. When it comes to short walks this I think, is possibly my favourite, encompassing everything this small limestone peninsula has to offer. From boot sucking estuary mud to stunning cliff top paths, the best it can offer for high ground is the 522ft Arnside Knott, rising from sea level this small scree riven hill gifts the rambler with wonderful views to all points of the compass. Leafy woodland paths with ample finger-posts guide you through coppiced woodland and, today a fast rising tide and stunning Morecambe Bay sunset were the icing on the cake.
I left Arnside heading south, the tide was swiftly rising, to avoid possible wet feet I made a left turn on reaching the old boat yard, a narrow pathway rises to Red Hills Road. With tarmac under foot I continued south, at the junction with Knott Road a finger-post invited me to wander a muddy path, this path cut behind modern bungalows to eventually emerge onto High Knott Road. A short walk over tarmac followed as I climbed the hill, at the end of a row of rather posh houses I was invited through a metal kissing gate, the finger-post announced this was the path to Arnside Knott. Through Red Hills Wood I ascended before climbing Red Hills, at the top of the hill a wicket gate allowed access to the Knott, a quick wander around followed before opting to descend one of several paths heading south. Into woodland I descended to be met by several finger-posts, Far Arnside fit the bill. The short descent that followed lead through fields to the narrow tarmac lane that guided me through this tiniest of hamlets, I passed through the village before descending to the beach, an ideal lunch spot.
Of all the places on this limestone peninsula this small sheltered shingle beach, visited by few, even in Summer is my favourite place, I sat ages just drinking in the atmosphere, rest over it was time to head back. Above limestone cliffs on a good path I strolled, rounding Park Point then Arnside Point before traversing the shingle beach at White Creek, above the cliffs at Blackstone Point then round New Barns Bay I strolled, a long conversation with a fisherman followed before making my way back over slippery rock and estuary mud.
Viewing the pier at Arnside with the Howgill Fells dominating the horizon.
Looking to the cliffs of Meathop Fell across the fast rising waters of Morecambe Bay.
Ascending Red Hills with this view for company, Kents Bank and Grange-over-Sands.
North over Red Hills Wood, upper Morecambe Bay.
A wonderful panorama from the top of Red Hills, across upper Morecambe Bay the limestone cliffs of Whitbarrow backed by the Kentmere massif.
A few paces from the trig point on Arnside Knott, looking to Haverbrack Fell rising above the Sandside Quarry, to the left the long ridge of the heavily wooded Beetham Fell home to the Fairy Steps.
View taken from above the southern scree slopes, Eaves Wood and Middlebarrow Wood with Warton Crag in the middle distance..
On the far horizon Clougha Pike and the hills of the Bowland Forest.
Descending Heathwate, through a gap in the trees mighty Ingleborough reaches for the sky.
Through the gate the best coffee stop on the Arnside/Silverdale coast.
The shingle beach at Far Arnside, sitting just drinking in the atmosphere.
Across the divide of Silverdale Bay, the long finger of Know End Point.
Still on the beach at Far Arnside looking to the promontory of Humphrey Head.
Where land meets sea, striding out above limestone cliffs.
Standing above Park Point viewing Hampsfell above Grange-over-Sands.
Striding through the golden light of early evening looking to Meathop Fell across White Creek.
Arnside Point rises above the sea washed turf at White Creek.
A bank of sea mist creeps over the sands, I could be in for a spectacular end to the days ramblings, unfortunately creeps is the apt word.
Grubbins Wood across New Barns Bay, a word of warning, don't try to cross the bay walk round, I wouldn't like to loose any viewers.
Hampsfell seen from the north side of New Barns.
Golden light on Meathop Fell.
Lit by a low Winter sun the Kent Viaduct.
Meathop Fell as seen across the Kent Channel.
South down the Kent Channel, the sun's sinking below the horizon and that bank of sea mist's still creeping.