Dallam Park, Underlaid Wood and Haverbrack Fell.
Start. Milnthorpe.
Route. Milnthorpe - Old Bridge - Dallam Park - Heron Corn Mill - Church Street - Beetham - Beetham Fell - Fairy Steps - Underlaid Wood - Cockshot Lane - Haverbrack Fell - Hollins Well - Dallam Park - Old Bridge - Milnthorpe.
Notes. Unfortunately the coughs and sneezes of winter have caught up with me over the past couple of weeks, reduced lung capacity makes walking up hill hard work. I was sitting at home watching scudding cloud delivering heavy winter showers followed by windows of the most wonderful light imaginable, a walk in the wind and rain was the last thing on my mind. As the sun cut through a small chink in the cloud for the umpteenth time all my good intentions suddenly went out the window, within minutes a bag full of warm waterproof clothes was being slung into the back of the car followed by a pair of walking boots and camera, our destination Milnthorpe just a few miles down the road. This is a walk I've done many times over the years, the first time when my daughter was only a small four year old, (as I write this she has a house full of friends all getting ready to go out clubbing) it's been a favourite of ours ever since.
After parking in a wet and windswept Milnthorpe I accessed Dallam Park via Old Bridge, on a way-marked path I wandered south ascending through this delightful dear park, after passing the 18th century Dear House and crossing a ha-ha, (a Victorian method of fencing without ruining the lines of the park) I descended between an avenue of young trees to reach the Heron Corn Mill car park. To my right a path followed the edge of the park land, I followed this to gain access to Church Street, (a tarmac lane leading into Beetham), next to the first house on the right a narrow stile allowed access to a green trod leading into the woods on Beetham Fell. I followed this path up the field into the woods, continuing forward yellow arrows guiding me passed a ruined cottage and onto the old corps road. After twenty minutes I stepped into a clearing to find myself above the deep cleft known as the Fairy Steps, there’s some good views to be had from this small usually busy spot, I sat a while before skirting the edge of the cliffs to head north.
On a good path with limestone cliffs to my right I wandered through Underlaid Wood, a finger-post invited me to Cockshot Lane, I obliged, on reaching the lane I turned right then almost immediately left into more woodland. On a way-marked path I ascended the long ridge leading over Haverbrack Fell, I popped out of the trees to be greeted by strong winds and driving rain with stunning views across sun kissed lowlands, I hung around until the rain stopped before making my descent. Keeping the dry stone wall to my right I wandered down the field, a kissing gate allowed access to a narrow tarmac lane. Across the lane a finger-post invited me to Hollins Well, I followed this path along the edge of the wood to emerge on Park Road, just across the road a set of concrete steps lead onto the old Hincaster/Arnside railway, I descended these to reach the old track bed, then down a narrow path to gain access the the estuary at Summer House Point. A short walk along the west bank of the River Bela followed before crossing Park Road for the second time, I entered Dallam Park through the main gate before following the river back to Old Bridge.
Ascending through Dallam Park looking to Castle Hill, believed to be the site of a Motte and Bailey castle built between 1066 and 1299.
To the north a promise of better weather to come.
At the other end of the rainbow the old port of Milnthorpe.
A classic slice of limestone upland, Farleton Fell seen over Beetham.
Above the Fairy Steps with views to Hampsfell, the Kent Estuary and Arnside Knott.
Arnside Knott as seen over Underlaid Wood.
Looking down from Whin Scar, the fissure in the centre of the shot is the Fairy Steps, descend them if you like I wandered round the side to emerge from the path on the left.
A last look over Underlaid Wood before descending into the trees.
The track over Beetham Fell, head that way for20 minutes, and you'll emerge into Cockshot Lane.
Ascending Haverbrack Fell, I stepped off the main path to get this view over Milnthorpe Sands and Foulshaw Moss.
Descending Haverbrack Fell with views to the Newton Fells now the rain has passed.
Rising to the north above the Kent Channel, Whitbarrow, christened White Hill by our Viking ancestors who used it as a navigation beacon to gain access to the Winster, Lyth and Kent Valleys.
Seen from the banks of the River Bela the White Scar face of Whitbarrow, another classic limestone plateau well worth a visit.
Views down the estuary from the banks of the River Bela.
Across the skyline guarding the western fringe of the Winster Valley the Newton Fells.
Another view down the estuary, silhouetted against a stormy skyline to the left the scattered community of Sandside, known by my grandmother and many old-timers in these parts as Westmorland by the Sea.
The weir in Dallam Park marks the end of the tidal section of the river.
A splash of colour above the weir in Dallam Park.