Photo's taken on the walks at Arnside March 2014

Off the coach at Yealand Conyers

A history lesson at Trowbarrow Quarry Nature Reserve

A high point at teh Peperpot on King Williams Hill

Nearly home as we approach Arnside along the prom.

346 March Walks from Arnside

Our first walk of the 2014 season will be from;

Welcome to Arnside & Silverdale

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

and will be on

Saturday 8th March 2014

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park

This extraordinary place is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and superb walks. From the simple beauty of the lady's-slipper orchid to the shining sands of Morecambe Bay, the area is simply awe-inspiring - full of natural spectacles and a surprise around every corner.

The work of the AONB Partnership aims to conserve and enhance this outstanding landscape now and for the future.

There will be three walks;

• A Walk led by Peter Hitchcock
• B Walk led by Beverley Kelly
• C Walk led by Les Gibson

Please look and decide before you get on the coach as the journey is only short and insufficient time for everyone to read the walk descriptions

Arnside is a modest sized, unspoilt, holiday resort on the estuary where the River Kent enters Morecambe Bay.

This former fishing port has retained many of the features from its past. The beautiful pier and port areas of the town offer stunning views across Morecambe Bay as well as providing an enduring reminder of Arnside's illustrious history.

It is a haven for birds, and the surrounding countryside contains a wealth of flora and fauna. Here is the National Trust owned Arnside Knott, a 520 ft high flat rock, which with neighbouring Silverdale in Lancashire, has done much to secure the designation of 'Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty'. It has many lovely wooded walks around Arnside Knott, up to the "Pepper-Pot" at Silverdale or around the coast with its cliff top walks and sea views.

LINKS
Click here for a description taken from another walk
Photographs of this area of outstanding beauty
Welcome to Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Current Weather Forecast for the area here:

A Walk at Arnside 2014

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Distance: 10 Miles
Total Ascent/descent: 1500ft

 

Hello again, and a warm welcome to the first ‘A’ Group walk of the new season.  Today’s linear walk has beauty, variation, interest and surprisingly little in the way of vertical exercise—although watch for the sting in the tail, after all it is an ‘A’ walk!  At 10 miles, though, it is horizontally challenging!   It will be muddy (not boggy) in parts.

We start at the picturesque village of Yealand Conyers, close to Leighton Hall—a Grade II listed building—and travel westwards along the foot of Warton Crag until we reach the coast.   On this section, we shall see the 1st of 2 lime-kiln remains: Peter Hill, a field kiln and Jack Scout, a coastal kiln.  We follow parts of the Lancashire Coastal Way and coastal path to circumnavigate Silverdale and, weather permitting, we shall  

    pause on or near Cove Beach for lunch. 

The going is straightforward but care will be needed if the rocks are wet. Pursuing the coastal path northwards, potentially the sea views  towards Grange-over-Sands and the Lake mountains are fantastic.  You might even see some Alpacas!  For those with a penchant for sea birds, I shall bring my binoculars! 

 

We finally attack Arnside Knott (about 500’amsl) via an easy-ish climb from the WNW.  Beautiful panoramic views await us at the top before a short, relaxing recovery into Arnside for an approx 4pm arrival.

B Walk at Arnside 2014

Walk Leader: Beverley Kelly
Total Distance: 8 miles app
Total Ascent/descent: 1120/1200ft 
Today's walk is a linear walk starting at YealandCondors and finishing at Arnside. Make sure you have everything with you when you leave the coach.

Today’s walk is a nature lovers dream walk, taking in a variety of bird and wild life in an ever changing scene and also giving us panoramic views of both Morecambe Bay and the Kent estuary, although there will be no ‘bore’ today as the tide levels are too low.

We start of from the A6, shortly after leaving the motorway, with a stiff walk up to the village of Yealand Conyers, scene of the early Quaker movement, then across a field to the ‘Summer House’. We soon have a marvellous panorama of Leighton Hall and Moss, the Kent estuary and Grange beyond.

  Downhill now we pass Leighton Hall and farm and head to cross through the reeds of the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, home to the Bittern and other endangered species. A delightful stroll through the Trowbank Quarry Nature Reserve is next and then on to Hawes Water, the gem of Silverdale, for our lunch.

Passing Challan Hall we aim for Eaves wood, crossing the railway line where we must take care. Eaves Wood is very pretty affording wonderful views across Silverdale and we shall ascend to the ‘Pepper Pot’ to take in Morecambe Bay at low tide.

Our next attraction is Arnside Tower House built about 1340, passing through a caravan park on the way. Then a quick chat to some cows and circumnavigating Arnside Knott, enjoying the views of Cumbria to reach the pretty bay of Arnside via the coast and promenade.

Well earned refreshments await.

C Walk from Arnside 2014

Walk Leader: Les Gibson
Total Distance: 6 miles
Totals ascent/descent: 630/720 ft 

C walk route, clockwise direction

After our morning ‘refreshments’ we leave Arnside heading uphill to Arnside Knott where we can enjoy some spectacular scenery, we then head down through Arnside wood and head for Arnside Tower. 

After lunch we trek around the headland back to Arnside, this stretch includes cliff top paths, beach walks and views across the estuary. 

This walk is just under 6 miles, has one stile, and a number of kissing gates, during the climb up to Arnside Knott we will be making lots of stops to enjoy the ever changing views.