The Arnside Coast and the Pepper Pot.
Start. Arnside.
Route. Arnside - Grubbins Wood - New Barns - Frith Wood - Blackstone Point - White Creek - Arnside Point - Park Point - Far Arnside - Holgates - Eaves Wood - Castlebarrow - Pepper Pot - Middlebarrow Wood - Arnside Tower - Arnside Knott Wood - Arnside Knott - Red Hills - Red Hills Wood - High Knott Road - Arnside.
Notes. A chance to partake in a spot of rambling today, the Met Office promised a weather window, the fell forecast told a very different story, heavy showers backed by strong winds, a warning to stay off exposed ground. My mind made up for me, I headed south to the low lying land bordering the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay, if weather and time allowed I'd visit to an old friend, The Pepper Pot.
I set out from Arnside on what could possibly be my last walk of 2015, down the estuary I wandered, Morecambe Bay mud clinging to the soles of my boots, passed the old boat yard and Grubbin's Wood I wandered, round New Barns Bay before entering Frith Wood at what looks like an old quarry. Above the fossil rich cliffs of Blackstone Point I traversed before striding out over the sands at White Creek to access the cliff top path at Arnside Point. On I walked with stunning views across the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay, sun reflecting off wet sand brought tears to my eyes. After passing through Far Arnside field paths guided me to Holgates, I turned left, a short walk through the holiday park took me to a children's play area, behind which a path leads to to Elmslack. Said path guided me to a gap in a dry stone wall, I passed through turning left, a cast iron sign announced I was about to enter Eaves Wood.
I immediately ascended the 250ft Castlebarrow Hill home to limestone pavements, rare flora and an old friend the Pepper Pot with stunning views over Morecambe Bay, I sat, drank them in, had a brew and a chat to other walkers. Break over I let the main trod guide me in a north easterly direction, on passing through a gap in a wall I turned left, ascended a flight of limestone steps then completely missed the next path junction. I've had the pleasure to wander through Eaves Wood many times, it's not the first time I've gone the wrong way. After re-tracing my steps I crossed a stile topped by a small gate, over weathered limestone through cleared woodland I wandered, it seemed I was on a butterfly trail, the trail guided me to the ruined pile of Arnside Tower.
From the 15th century ruin I wandered through Arnside Tower Farm, the access lane guided me to the start of a bridleway cutting across the shoulder of Arnside Knott, with a good path under foot I ascended through Arnside Knott Wood. Just before reaching a confluence of paths I passed through a gate on the right, my sights set on the summit of Arnside Knott. After my usual wander around I descended Red Hills, passed through Red Hills Wood to access the tarmac of High Knott Road, all that remained to pick my way back to the coast, in this case via High Knott Road, Red Hills Road and Silverdale Road, why? because Silverdale Road passes The Albion, it was lunch time and it would give me chance to escape the onslaught of turkey.
Viewing sylvan Meathop Fell across the Kent Channel.
Frith Wood in sunlight and shade as viewed across New Barns Bay.
The Kent Viaduct capturing the morning sun, backed by Whitbarrow.
Seen from the cliff top path at Park Point, Hampsfell and the white washed buildings of Grange over Sands.
Wonderful silvery seascapes.
From cliff edge paths views to the long finger of Humphrey Head.
Views across the vast expanse of shifting sand, hidden channels and quick sands that make Morecambe Bay such a special place.
Heathwaite seen from the junction of Far Arnside Road and Silverdale Road.
Castlebarrow, limestone scenery and spectacular views, and....
....an old friend, the Pepper Pot, raised in 1887 to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne.
The Arndale face of Arnside Knott seen from near Arnside Knott Farm.
Views taken from Arnside Knott, the flooded fields of Arndale and Silverdale Moss.
Stunning views over the Kent Estuary from Red Hills.
Aren't birch trees a wonderful colour this time of year, a colour that etches itself into your minds eye, the view Farleton Fell from Red Hills.