Heathwaite and Arnside Knott.
Start. Silverdale.
Route. Silverdale - The Lots - Cove - Cove Road - Holgates - Far Arnside - Arnside Park - Heathwaite - Arnside Knott - Arnside Tower - Middlebarrow Wood - Eaves Wood - Pepper Pot - Elmslack - Cove Road - The Lots - Silverdale.
Notes. I felt sluggish and out of sorts after the excesses of Christmas, the first chance I got to blow the cobwebs away I grasped with both hands, lets see if a sea breeze could clear my head, it was time to get mud on the boots and trudge the limestone pastures and coppiced woodland around Silverdale and Arnside. Unlike most of my visits to this delightful corner of north-west England I had a plan, I knew exactly where I was heading, Heathwaite and Arnside Knott finishing with a visit to an old friend the Pepper Pot.
From Silverdale village my route crossed The Lots, field paths soon deposited me at Silverdale Cove where I joined the tarmac of Cove Road, I turned left at the road junction. Still striding out over tarmac I passed Silverdale Cricket Club to join a way-marked path that guided me through Holgates to a metal kissing gate I passed through said gate to start the short walk through cow pastures, alighting at Far Arnside it was a short stroll through the village to access the coast. The path ushered me into Arnside Park, an area of quite dense coppiced woodland, on a good track I wandered on soon reaching a fork in the path, left leads along the riven edge where Arnside Park meets the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay, right marked the start of a gentle climb. The easy climb that followed deposited me on a low ridge, I guess if it wasn't for the tree cover the views from this ridge would have been quite special. Upwards I climbed, deer fences guided me towards a dry stone wall and gate, a cast iron sign announced I'd reached Heathwaite, the National Trust would be "delighted if I'd come and have a look round", as that's where the path went I obliged. I wandered leisurely across this low limestone ridge, amongst birch woodland and scrub I strolled, through grassy glades with wonderful views to the east and south across the bay, all too soon I reached a path junction, a finger-post pointed in a plethora of directions, it was Arnside Knott for me.
My ascent started immediately, a gravel path guided me up the hill, steep in places. I was soon standing on the summit drinking in views to all points of the compass, no wonder this is a popular little hill. Once drunk on splendid vistas I descended to the east, a dry stone wall for company, the path swung south guiding me under scree and cliff to reach the road opposite the drive leading to Arnside Tower Farm, after passing the farm and the gaunt remains of Arnside Tower a ladder stile aided my crossing into Middlebarrow Wood. Again in the company of a dry stone wall I ascended King William's Hill, after crossing a number of limestone scars a stile allowed access to Eaves Wood, time to wish an old friend a merry Christmas. The Pepper Pot stands proud on King William's Hill gifting the lucky visitor with stunning views, today they would be stunning views into a wintry sun, with haste I followed way-marked paths south-west, it was a short walk to the limestone scar marking the summit of the hill, the vistas were as good as ever and a Christmas bonus, I had them to myself. I left the summit following yet another wall west, this hand rail guided me to a larger muddy path leading to Elmslack, once in Elmslack way-marked paths guided me between rather plush houses depositing me back on the tarmac of Cove Road, all that remained to re-trace my steps to Silverdale.
Arnside Knott as seen from The Lots.
Seen from The Lots, the headland of Humphrey Head.
Across the green pastures of Arndale delightful Priory Cottage backed by sylvan Arnside Park.
Seen from the south, Arnside Knott.
Heathwaite seen from Far Arnside.
Ascending Heathwaite amidst oak, birch and yew, if you're into trees there's also small leaved lime and wonderful wych elm if you care to look for them.
I emerge from woodland into wonderful views over silvery seascapes.
Viewing Middlebarrow and Eaves Wood from Heathwaite.
Birch trees backed by a stunning blue sky.
Here's proof you don't have to climb very high to gain a good vantage point, standing on the 341ft contour with a marvelous view across the Silverdale coast.
Ascending Arnside Knott, looking to Grange over Sands beyond Arnside Park and the Kent Channel.
Drinking in this stunning view to the mouth of Lyth Valley, to the left the White Scar cliffs of Whitbarrow, on the right the Scout Scar escarpment.
Viewing the tree covered ridge leading from Haverbrack Bank to Whin Scar home to Beetham Fell and the Fairy Steps.
Seen from near the summit of Arnside Knott, the scattered community of Carr Bank and the redundant Sandside Quarry.
Approaching Arnside Tower looking to Farleton Fell.
Arnside Tower the oldest building in the parish, although already in a sad state of repair by 1884 a violent storm that year was responsible for bringing the near corner of the tower down.
From King William's Hill views to sylvan Warton Crag, with the white washed buildings of Silverdale village to the right.
The Pepper Pot with wonderful views over the Silverdale landscape.
From the Cove views along the jagged edge where sand and salt water meet limestone, I'm looking to Arnside Park, I can clearly remember when I was a kid walking from here over sea washed turf as far as Park Point, it also stretched behind me across Silverdale Bay and round Know End Point, the forever changing face of the bay.
Looking to Know End Point with the cliffs of Red Rake to the left, Red Rake once tunnelled by miners in search of copper and hematite.
Dazzling views over the sands of Morecambe Bay.
Spectacular vistas over shifting sand, dominating the horizon Humphrey Head.
Above Red Rake taking a final look along the coast.