Monday 22 January 2018

386 Walks from Arnside

Our first walk of the 2018 season will be from

Arnside

an area of outstanding natural beauty in South Cumbria
on

Saturday 10th March 2018

0800hrs prompt from the Short Stay Car Park

The village and area has much to offer visitors, in wildlife, walking and history. The Arnside area is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. It has sites of scientific interest because of the rare butterflies and alpine plants that may be found around the limestone pavements.
There are 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.
Pretty shops line Arnside promenade and after a walk, a drink sat outside the Albion or Fighting Cocks looking across the estuary towards Grange and the Lakes peaks is ample reward. You can try to spot the salmon leaping. Watch for the tidal bore at Arnside as the tide comes in. 


There will be Three walks;





A Walk from Arnside 2018

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Walk Distance: 13.5 miles
Total Ascent/Descent:
A Walk Route Clockwise


For the first walk of the new season, I thought I should break you in gently with a brisk 13.2 mile circular walk through quite fascinating and changing scenery! But, look on the bright side, it is relatively flat with just a short mild climb fairly soon after start and a slightly steeper climb up Arnside Knott towards the end.

We head off from the town south past the railway station before turning east, across the local ‘moss’ (which will be muddy if not frozen), then up a gentle climb of limestone paths towards the “Fairy Steps”.  After a refreshing stop with spectacular views we trek south through woodland and some country lane to Yealand and Leighton Moss (RSPB site).  With lunch behind us and over the half-way mark its back northwards, around King William Hill, Arnside Tower for a quick yomp up the Knott with its beautiful views as a reward.  A short sharp descent then follows to a coastal path and soon the pub. In all, about 5½ - 6 hrs with lots to see; good fun.   Gaiters would come in handy for the start.



B Walk from Arnside 2018

Walk Leader: Beverley Kelly
Walk Distance: 7+ Miles
Total Ascent/Descent: 1040 ft

 This is a delightful walk starting at Milnthorpe Bridge so we will be getting of the bus before Arnside. Please be ready.
Dallam Deer Park

We walk through Dallam Deer Park towards the little village of Beetham full of historic interest. we should have a view of the deer as well as time to view the mill and take pictures of the quant buildings. 
Beetham Church
From there we head towards the Fairy Steps on Whin Scar where you might see a fairy if you can descend without touching the sides. We now head downhill towards Hazelslack Tower, one of the watch towers erected to protect from the maurading scots and now preserved ruins, then onwards towards a similar tower at Arnside Tower Farm.

looking towards Arnside Knott from the Fairy Steps

The Fairy Steps

Time to climb a little as we aim for Arnside Knott, just skirting the top but enough to get the views, then down through Copridding Woods and the beach at New Barns. This is an interesting return to Arnside over rocks, sea washed turf and sand, passing the lifeboat station and back along the promenade for refreshments and the pretty estuary views from the pier.
The estuary from Copridding Wood

Back along the beach to Arnside

C Walk from Arnside 2018

Walk Leader:  Joan and Shirley
Walk Distance: 6 Miles app
Total Ascent/Descent: 470ft
C Route, clockwise


After coffee at the Bakehouse we walk along the shore line beneath Grubbin’s Wood and on to New Barns. To avoid the sands a short ascent to walk above the edge and on to a caravan site walking through and then on to Arnside Tower.  On eventually reaching the railway line we follow it back to Arnside and a well earned refreshment in one of the local establishments.  We are sure that there will be some very muddy areas sorry!  We aren’t offering to clean boots.    Have a good day  Joan and Shirley

Photographs from the Downham walk and meal