North from Silverdale return over Arnside Knott.
Start. Silverdale.
Route. Silverdale - The Lots - Silverdale Cove - Cove Road - Holgates - Far Arnside - Park Point - Arnside Point - White Creek - New Barns - Copridding Wood - Knott car park - Arnside Knott - Red Hills Wood - Silverdale Road - Arnside Tower - Middlebarrow Wood - Eaves Wood - King William's Hill - Park Road - Bottoms Lane - Silverdale Green - Silverdale.
Notes. Fancy a walk in the rain, no I thought not, you just sit back and watch me suffer on this short walk from Silverdale village. There was no escaping the wet stuff, muddy paths and slippery limestone, dripping woodland and exposed coastal walking, all made the going awkward, ah but I was out enjoying myself as were many other walkers. Come along I'll suffer wet feet and general discomfort you just brew another cup of coffee, sit back and attend in spirit.
My plan was simple, walk north from Silverdale village keeping as close to the coast as possible, returning via King William's Hill after traversing Arnside Knott. I left the village guided by the well trod path through The Lots, by green field paths, tarmac lanes and muddy cliff top rights of way I made my way to New Barns and lunch in the Bob In Cafe, well it was raining, I was soaked and it looked warm and dry inside.With a full stomach and lighter wallet I let the path through Copridding Wood lead me to the high ground of Arnside Knott. The Knott conquered, I then descended to the north-east, in the company of a moss covered dry stone wall, I elighted onto the tarmac surface of Silverdale Road near the entrance to Arnside Tower Farm. With tarmac under foot I strolled along the lane leading to said farm, after passing the farm buildings then Arnside Tower a ladder stile allowed access to Middlebarrow Wood, I crossed to start my ascent of King William's Hill. Over a number of limestone shelves I scrambled, wet slippery limestone made the going slow, suddenly a narrow stile guarded by a gate allowed access to Eaves Wood.
The final climb of the day over I turned south, on a good path I made my way to King William's Hill, home to the Pepper Pot with superb views, I stood a while, water running down my neck admiring the scene over Silverdale then west over the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay. Time to depart, way-marked paths carry me to a narrow path descending along the edge of Woodlands, I stepped onto tarmac again at the junction of Park Road and Bottoms Lane, between dry stone walls, through large puddles I paddled as Bottoms Lane guided me passed the cemetery then on to a finger-post promising this was the path to St John's Church and Silverdale Green. Through wet fields I wandered before stepping onto tarmac again at Silverdale Green, all that remained, the short walk back to Silverdale.
Striding through The Lots with this view for company, a hazy Hampsfell across Morecambe Bay.
Also seen from The Lots the southern facade of Arnside Knott.
Above Red Rake looking down on Silverdale Cove.
Above limestone cliffs were the whispering waters of Morecambe Bay kiss the Silverdale/Arnside coast, and the trees of Arnside Park rush to meet the sea.
Views from near Park Point, Hampsfell above Grange-over-Sands and the darker, little Holme Island.
On the muddy path through Arnside Park.
Views over White Creek taking in Blackstone Point and the cliffs of Meathop Fell.
Meathop Fell over upper Morecambe Bay as seen from Copridding Wood.
Views taken across Arnside Park.
Toiling up the steep slopes of Arnside Knott looking to Hampsfell and Holme Island over New Barns.
If you find the need to know what your looking at there's an excellent view indicator passed on the ascent.
Soaking wet, soaking up the views across Arnside Park.
The trig point, Arnside Knott.
With my back to the trig point hazy views over Milnthorpe Sands
My descent route, just let the dry stone wall guide you down to the road.
Approaching Arnside Tower looking to Farleton Fell.
Arnside Tower seen from the north.
The Morecambe Bay limestone hills are the single most important area for butterflies in northern England, a natural strong hold for the high brown fritillary, or that's what the pamphlet produced by the AONB Partnership tells me, it dose mean they're thinning out the woodland creating wonderful glades like this one, in an effort to encourage insect life.
Limestone pavements in Middlebarrow Wood.
Squelching my way towards King William's Hill, hidden in the trees ahead.
With water running down my neck drinking in views over Silverdale....
....and to my right the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay.
There are many paths in Eaves Wood, most laid out by Victorian entreppreneurs (thEy hoped to make money out of the visitors), this particular path looks slightly more important than the rest, maybe it was once the main route through the valley, that's a Carlo theory.