North from Silverdale return via Copridding Wood and Arnside Tower.

Start. Silverdale (Shore Road).

Route. Silverdale - The Lots - Silverdale Cove - Park Point - Arnside Point - White Creek - Blackstone Point - New Barns - Copridding Wood - Arnside Knott Wood - Arnside Tower - Holgates - Cove Road - Silverdale Cove - Silverdale.

Notes. This was an of the cuff ramble, blue skies and sunshine forced us from the house in the direction of Morecambe Bay and hopefully a sea breeze, we ended up in the historic village of Silverdale. This was a walk under the big skies, over the sun baked sands of Morecambe Bay, a ramble through limestone country, well used paths ushered us through deciduous woodland over limestone grassland with some panoramic views thrown in, but first a stunning ramble over the sands of Morecambe bay.

Our day started wandering through The Lots, wild flower meadows grazed this time of year by bovine lawnmowers, after passing the cows we descended to Silverdale Cove, home to Red Rake an abandoned tin mine, also extracted from this slit in the cliffs iron and copper ore. Once in the cove we stepped onto the beach, sun baked sand and mud made for easy walking, we stuck to the beach until a deep channel forced us to ascend the low cliffs at Park Point, we continued to Arnside Point before descending back to the beach.

More easy walking followed passed White Creek then under the overhanging cliffs at Blackstone Point, the Kent Channel had shifted and deepened since our last visit, no longer a stoney trudge round the point, hard sand allowing a simple walk to New Barns, unfortunately the sands are forever shifting, this level path will vanish at the next set of high tides. At this small bay we left the coast via the access road, on a sharp bend a metal kissing gate welcomed us, this allowed access to a limestone trod ascending through Copridding Wood, this we followed into the cool of the tree cover. The short steep climb deposited us on the main trod cutting across the shoulder of Arnside Knott, this wide bridleway guided us under the canopy of mature trees, a short descent deposited us back in the baking heat at the head of the lane descending to Arnside Tower Farm.

Said lane ushered us to a finger-post, a path then by-passed the farm depositing us at Arnside Tower, a spectacular and almost unique example of a Cumbrian pele tower. The oldest building in the parish, built in the late 14th or early 15th century, a free standing tower five stories high, most pele towers had outbuildings or were attached to a house or hall.

The tower marks a parting of the ways, our route followed a leafy lane, hemmed in by hedge rows we wandered to Holgates, way-marked paths then guided us passed many holiday homes, passed the reception buildings depositing us in Cove Road. After wandering passed Silverdale cricket ground the road turned sharp left, we continued following the lane to the right, this was still Cove Road it ended at Silverdale Cove visited earlier. Rather than wander back through The Lots we opted to join the beach (usually very muddy here), compact dry sand and mud again made for easy walking, we soon reached the small sea front lined with fisherman's cottages, after crossing a small car park we stepped into Shore Road, the car was just round the corner.

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home.

Looking to Grange-over-Sands from The Lots.

Stunning views grace the beginning of this walk.

At Silverdale Cove letting the timeless beauty of Morecambe Bay work it's magic.

Skirting the fringe where limestone cliffs meets the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay.

Reaching out into the bay the dark finger of sylvan Humphrey Head.

Striding out across hard packed sand looking back along the cliffs of the Lancashire coast.

Shimmering in the heat haze the squat towers of Heysham Power Stations.

Viewing Know End Point with Clougha Pike dominating the high skyline..

Approaching Park Point looking to Hampsfell above the white washed buildings of Grange-over-Sands.

Morecambe Bay, forever changing seascapes of shifting channels and big skies.

The cliff top path between Park Point and Arnside Point.

The rolling summits of the Newton Fells with sylvan topped Meathop Fell to the right.

After rounding Blackstone Point this magical view bursts onto the senses, the Kent Estuary and upper reaches of Morecambe Bay.

Ascending through the dappled light in Copridding Wood.

Arnside Tower seen through the tree cover of Arnside Knott Wood.

Near Arnside Tower Farm looking to the flat top of Ingleborough.

Above Arnside Tower Farm Arnside Knott.

Arnside Tower, this unique example of a pele tower once guarded the entrance to Arndale, one of several circling Morecambe Bay.

Sue steps into the leafy lane leading to Holgates.

Summer flora in Cove Road.

Capturing the whispers of a lost industry, Red Rake once echoed to the picks and shovels of tin miners.

Surveying the Silverdale coast noting the many secret coves tucked away out of sight of those on the shore.

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