Whitbarrow via the Beathwaite Green to Witherslack Turnpike.

Start. Mill Side.

Route. Mill Side - Low Fell End - Buckhouse Wood - Beathwaite Green (Levens) to Witherslack Turnpike - Raven's Lodge - Rawsons - Rawson's Wood - Farrer's Allotment - Lord's Seat (Whitbarrow summit) - Whitbarrow Scar - High Crag Wood - Low Crag Wood - Beck Head - Mill Side.

Notes. Only ten minutes from home rises a limestone escarpment with massive cliffs overlooking Morecambe Bay and the flatlands of the Kent valley, awaiting the lucky rambler a wonderful mix of woodland, grassland and limestone pavements, exquisite views to a grey/blue crown of Lakeland mountains and shimmering seascapes. It was our Norse forefathers who christened the hill “White Barrow”, they sailed into Morecambe Bay looking for land to settle and local girls to bear them sons, using the white cliffs of Whitbarrow as a navigation beacon.

Today we decided to make the best of the decent weather for who knows how long it will last, we drove down the road to Mill Side a perfect starting point to tackle the limestone escarpment. From the parking space on the edge of the old road to Barrow we wandered into the backwater of Mill Side, the drive to Low Fell End then guided us into the promised land. Once through the farm yard we ascended to an old track, this was laid around 1817 to convey horse drawn carriages between Beathwaite Green (Levens) to the Black Bull Inn at Witherslack, it clings to high ground as all the land bordering Morecambe Bay would have been salt marsh liable to flooding at high tide.

Along the edge of woodland we wandered, under our boot soles the original cobbled road surface. Passed Raven Lodge beneath the cliffs of White Scar then on to Rawsons, the path cut round the corner of the farm house then ascended through the dappled light of a cool gully, we ascended with it. Once out of the confines of the gully good paths ushered us through woodland into Farrer’s Allotment, we then found ourselves in the company of a dry stone wall, this lead to a stile which we crossed before following a well trod path through stunning limestone scenery.

Under low limestone cliffs we wandered, passed stunted vegetation fighting for a root hold in shallow soils, we ascended a low ridge, at the top of said ridge Lord’s Lot the summit of Whitbarrow, here we stopped for a brew and a chance to soak up stunning views. Brew over views soaked up we walked west, when the path turned south it descended to a stile next to an ancient Yew, it then plunged over the edge of Whitbarrow Scar. At first sight this looks like an adrenalin fueled descent, it’s steep hands on in a couple of places but quite safe, it deposited us on a woodland path running behind a football field.

With woodland paths under foot and the massive cliffs of Chapel Head Scar rising above the tree tops to the left we wandered on, the path was good the going easy, we exited the tree cover just before Beck Head. At this small hamlet a sizeable stream emerges from the foot of a low limestone cliff, it also announced the start of tarmac walking. So with tarmac to guide us we slowly wandered back to Mill Side and the patiently waiting car.

view route map.

home.

Buckhouse Wood with the limestone promontory of Fell End poking over the tree tops.

Woodland walking the old turnpike between Beathwaite Green (Levens) and Whitbarrow under foot.

A gap in the tree cover gifts us with views over the fertile flatlands of the lower Kent valley, across the horizon Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof Crags.

A quick look at the original road surface, not bad for over 200 years old, I bet the M6 won't last that long.

Viewing the White Scar cliffs from Raven's Lodge....

....the Vikings may have used them to navigate upper Morecambe Bay but it dosn't half make you feel small walking underneath them.

Approaching Rawsons.

Across Lyth Valley under the cliffs of Scout Scar Brigsteer.

Strolling along a non threatening path enjoying the ambiance of this plateau above the scars.

Adventures through an extraordinary landscape.

A small corner of Farrer's Allotment.

In Farrer's Allotment above Chapel Head Scar enjoying hazy views over Morecambe Bay.

Magical view over the Winster Valley, looking to the great pile of Witherslack Hall.

Across this otherworldly plateau rises Lord's Seat the summit.

Seen from the summit Gummer's How.

The view south, showing little detail in this light Arnside Knott.

Awesome views from the summit of Whitbarrow, on a very distant horizon the Howgill Fells.

Uncompromising views to a crown of Lakeland hills, off centre, rising from Kirkstone Pass Red Screes, left the many tops of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Could you wish a better place, the summit of Whitbarrow with views over the Cartmel Fells to the mountains above Coniston.

Chapel Head Scar backed by the Winster Valley and the Kent Estuary.

Moss covered dry stone wall in High Crag Wood.

In Low Crag Wood looking to Chapel Head Scar.

Finally Beck Head where a large stream emits from the base of a low cliff, it makes me think, why is there no caves in the area?

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