North from Silverdale, return over Castlebarrow.
Start. Silverdale, Shore Road.
Route. Silverdale - The Lots - Silverdale Cove - Cove Road - Holgates - Far Arnside - Park Point - Arnside Point - White Creek - New Barns Caravan Site - New Barns Bay - Copridding Wood - Arnside Knott Wood - Arnside Tower - Middlebarrow Wood - Eaves Wood - Pepper Pot - Elmslack - Cove Road - Silverdale Cove - Silverdale.
Notes. A short impromptu ramble today, forced into a late start I found myself in Silverdale under slate grey skies, the promise of rain never very far away. With no particular preference as to where to head, it was a case of follow my nose, that rather large protrusion guided me over one of my favourite paths on this little slice of limestone paradise, along the edge of Arnside Park where woodland gives way to the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay.
Drizzle was misting my specks as I left Silverdale, a green trod through The Lots guided me to Silverdale Cove. Via the narrow tarmac ribbon of Cove Road I made my way to Holgates where I stepped into sheep pastures for the short walk to Far Arnside. Far Arnside is the gateway to some of the best walking in the area, once on the coast path I wandered on. Round Park Point followed by Arnside Point then White Creek where I left the coast, way marked paths guided through New Barns Caravan Site depositing me at New Barns Bay. The access road to the bay ushered me to a metal kissing gate and finger-post, an invitation to Arnside Knott, I obliged following the path through Copridding Wood to access the main bridleway cutting through Arnside Park, a friendly finger-post assured me this was the route to Arnside Tower.
The ruins of Arnside Tower guard the northern entrance to Eaves Wood, it was time to visit an old friend, the Pepper Pot. I left Arnside Tower via a ladder stile allowing access to Middlebarrow Wood, my ascent started immediately. Keeping the dry stone wall to my left I climbed the hill, after ascending a number of low cliffs I reached a narrow stile allowing access to Eaves Wood, I crossed said stile before turning right, a short walk over woodland paths lead to the Pepper Pot with stunning views over Morecambe Bay and the Silverdale landscape. I sat a while drinking in said views, unusually I had them to myself, once drunk on staggering vistas with the sun sinking on the far horizon I thought I best make my way back. West I walked, a dry stone wall to guide me, on reaching a muddy path I turned left to make the short walk to Elmslack. A plethora of finger-posts welcomed me as I entered the village, as I'd decided to return via Silverdale Cove I stepped onto the appropriate path. With way-marked paths now under foot I wandered between the exclusive properties of Elmslack, the residents are quite chatty, that's one of the things I like about this small slice of Lancashire and Cumbria, it's friendly and welcoming. After a number of short conversations, an exchange of anecdotes, I alighted onto Cove Road. Once back at Silverdale Cove I followed the coast path back into Silverdale, this path oozes mud at the cove end but gets considerably easier, if you don't fancy the mud re-trace your steps through The Lots, either way is a delightful end to a stunning short walk.
The fisherman's cottages on the Silverdale coast, seen from the grassland of The Lots.
The largest expanse of inertial mudflat's and sand in the United Kingdom, you're looking over the 120sq miles of Morecambe Bay.
A breeder of champions, champion polo ponies.
The shingle beach at Far Arnside with views to Grange-over-Sands.
Better weather on the horizon, I wander on fingers crossed.
Views along the ragged edge where the woodland of Arnside Park meets the sands and salt water of Morecambe Bay.
Viewing Know End Point from the safety of the cliff top path.
The long finger of Humphrey Head as seen from the cliffs near Park Point.
Park Point with views to Heysham Power Station.
Arnside Knott as seen from Copridding Wood.
A hazy view to Hampsfell above Grange-over-Sands.
Birch trees mark the edge of Copridding Wood.
The main trod through Arnside Park.
Arnside Knott seen over Arnside Tower Farm.
The sad remains of Arnside Tower, a late medieval tower house built in the second half of the 15th century.
Standing proud on Castlebarrow, built in 1887 to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. the Pepper Pot.
Magnificent views from the 250ft contour, proving you don't have to climb very high to gain a good view point.
Extensive views across Morecambe Bay, seen from the beach at Silverdale Cove.
Standing in Lancashire looking into Cumbria at sylvan Arnside Park.
The cliffs at Red Rake, as is obvious a sizable slab of rock has fallen revealing the iron seem beneath, so sought after by the minors whom toiled in this picturesque cove..
Big skies and distant horizons, and one of many old mooring posts found under the cliffs at Silverdale Cove.