Classic Arnside Knott.

Start. Arnside (The Promenade).

Route. Arnside - Ash Meadow - New Barns - Frith Wood - Arnside Point - Park Point - Far Arnside - Hollins Farm - Heathwaite - Arnside Knott Wood - Arnside Knott - Red Hills - Red Hills Wood - High Knott Road - Red Hills Road - Arnside.

Notes. Bare with me please, I know I've been here many times, but with good reason, it's my favourite place in the whole of the North of England. I live only five miles from the English Lake District and that's fine, just as handy is the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, and that's equally fine, but there's something very special about this small, enriched limestone peninsula shared by the counties of Cumbria and Lancashire. I'm also here because it's pissing down everywhere else, I've been promised my own little bubble of good weather to wander around in, it should last until early evening, and that will also do fine.

Prepare yourself for a short but stunning walk with magnificent views above limestone cliffs bordering the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay, over limestone grassland and through mixed woodland culminating in an ascent of Arnside Knott. Only a mere 492ft above sea level but the views are outstanding.

After parking on The Promenade I wandered down the estuary, the way I've gone so many times before, today the tide was in pushed high on the back of a strong wind. Once passed Ash Meadow I checked the tide table at the Arnside Coastguard Rescue Station, to my relief the tide had just turned, it wouldn't be the first time my route had been cut off forcing a change of plan. Down the estuary I wandered, along the edge of Grubbins Wood then round New Barns Bay, I opted to follow the path signed Blackstone Point, sticking to the coast as long as possible, it wasn't water that bothered me but notorious Morecambe Bay mud.

Approaching Blackstone Point my way looked pretty impassable, muddy and extremely wet, not just from the ebbing tide but water running from the land. I ascended through a rake, an old quarry to access Frith Wood, woodland paths safely guided me above the cliffs at Blackstone Point depositing me on the shingle bank at White Creek. From the south end of the bank a path loops round joining the cliff top path near Arnside Point. Cliff top paths then guided me passed Arnside Point and Park Point, through the woodland of Arnside Park depositing me in the small hamlet of Far Arnside.

Between the white washed cottages of Far Arnside I strolled to be greeted by a finger-post inviting me to Arnside Knott, along the edge of a large field I wandered, turning left at Hollins Farm, after passing through a gate I ascended Heathwaite to be met by yet another finger-post, again inviting me to Arnside Knott. So up the knott I climbed, well trod paths under foot. Once on a shallow coll I turned right skirting the southern slopes, the views over Arndale and Eaves Wood are stunning from this path, I sat a while and soaked them in.

When I made a move, it was over the summit passed a bright white trig point to a wicket gate allowing access to Red Hills. This large field surrounded by woodland gifts the lucky walker with stunning views across upper Morecambe Bay to the hills of Lakeland, again I sat a while. After descending through the large pasture I entered Red Hills Wood via a kissing gate, a short stretch of woodland walking followed before being ejected onto High Knott Road, all that remained, to pick my way back through the streets of Arnside.

view route map.

home.

The ebbing tide at Arnside.

Across the fast retreating waters of Morecambe Bay the limestone up thrust of Whitbarrow.

Frith Wood seen across New Barns Bay.

Skirting the fringe of the Kent Channel, looking to Whitbarrow in the English Lake District.

Grubbins Wood seen across New Barns Bay.

Along the shingle bank at White Creek, viewing Frith Wood.

From Arnside Point, the rolling landscape of South Lakeland and the limestone cliffs of Meathop Fell.

Impressive cliff top walking with views over Morecambe Bay to Know End Point, the rest of the Lancashire coast seems to have been swallowed up by rain bearing clown thrown down by the hills of Bowland.

Clinging to a reasonable path, hugging the jagged edge where land meets sea and Arnside Park spills onto the sands of Morecambe Bay.

Heathwaite seen from near Hollins Farm.

Taking in the view from Arnside Knott, Silverdale Moss backed by Gait Barrows Nature Reserve.

Sunlight on wet sand, let the silver ribbon of the Silverdale Road guide the eye to the vast expanse of Morecambe Bay.

Sitting drinking in views over Upper Morecambe Bay from Red Hills.

Sunlight paints Red Hills Wood and the salt marsh north of Arnside.

back to top

back to list