Hampsfell.

Start. Grange-over-Sands.

Route. Grange-over-Sands - Eggerslack Wood - Tithe Allotment - Hampsfell - Spring Bank - Grange-over-Sands (Ashmount Road) - Charney Well Lane - Hampsfell Road - Grange-over-Sands.

Notes. There are a number of low lying hills to the south of the Lake District, Hampsfell above Grange-over-Sands is but one of them. Exposed limestone greets the walker, extensive views over the sands of Morecambe Bay and north to the hills of the Lake District. The doorway to these delights is Eggerslack Wood, native trees fight for a foot hold in shallow soil, a wide range of holly and ivy thrive, protected from the worst of the weather ferns flourish. To top this short but stunning walk off, a hospice, built in the 1800s to provide a place of shelter for weary travelers whom have just risked life and limb crossing Morecambe Bay.

Our morning started wandering passed the Ornamental Gardens, at a mini roundabout we joined Windermere Road, this in turn guided us to a stile and finger-post promising passage to Hampsfell. Our ascent started immediately through the mature woodland of Eggerslack Wood, once coppice to make bobbins for the textile industry. The paths were well marked, we soon found ourselves exiting the woods via a stile into Tithe Allotment, we continued climbing now through sheep pastures the views over Morecambe Bay growing better with every step.

After ascending passed a number of limestone scars another stile allowed access to the fell top a few hundred yards from the Hospice, we sat a while, in the hospice out of the wind, had a brew before continuing south. This ridge is easy walking and normally we’d stay high as long as possible, with massive banks of snow and hale bearing cloud sweeping in from the north we opted for a shorter version of this walk. So after crossing the second wall we started descending towards Spring Bank Farm, a wide green trod under foot, the descent was gentle, pleasant in the lea of the hill out of the wind.

We stepped from the fields onto Spring Bank Road (lane) above the farm of the same name, after wandering passed the farm buildings we accessed a green trod traversed the edge of a field containing a lime kiln, this deposited us on a muddy path behind the houses on Ashmount Road. Once on said road we descended via Ashmount Road and steep Charney Well Lane back into the centre of Grange-over-Sands.

view route map.

home.

Above the Ornamental Gardens looking over a moody Morecambe Bay.

Affectionately known by the locals as the Duck Pond this is the Ornamental Gardens, built on a section of marshland cut off from the bay in the 1800s when the railway was built.

Sue strides out through the coppice woodland of Eggerslack Wood.

Limestone boulders on the edge of Tithe Allotment.

Wonderful views over the upper reaches of Morecambe Bay and mouth of the Kent Valley.

On the slopes of Hampsfell looking to the Newton Fells.

Mouthwatering views over Eggerslack Wood to the Arnside/Silverdale peninsula.

Under a moody sky Arnside Knott.

Taking a breather, looking back over the mouth of the Winster Valley to the limestone plateau of Whitbarrow.

Looking north to the snow capped, cloud kissed Cumbrian Mountains.

Let the final intake wall carry your eye to the Kent Estuary and Arnside Knott.

Stunning views from near the summit of Hampsfell.

A place to rest, the Hospice has guarded this spot since 1846.

Limestone scars and fantastic vistas from the summit of Hampsfell.

A wonderful stage set of Lakeland mountains seen from the grassy ridge between Spring Bank and Hampsfell.

Descending to Spring Bank Farm with this wonderful view before us.

Heavy weather washes across the Howgill and Middleton Fells.

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