catch the train and go walking around the a series of five delightful walks from local stations on the First TransPennine Express network. introducing introducing the walks the author

The Lakes Line, from Oxenholme to Windermere, These walks have runs through a glorious rural area, linking attractive been prepared for First small towns and villages. This is the area covered TransPennine Express by by these five walks. On either side of the railway lie Mary Welsh who is a writer deciduous woods and rolling pastures, and through living in a picturesque these rush or cascade rivers, becks and streams. Lakeland village.

The line does not weave up through the mountains, She is the author of but it does pass close to delightful hills, such as many books of walks in Allen Knott, Orrest Head, , School and Scotland Knott, Helsfell Nab, Kettlewell Crag, The Helm and she contributes and Castle Hill. From all the walks, the views of the articles and walks to a mountains and the lovely countryside are superb. number of publications.

All the walks start from a train station on the line. She has written regularly for her local paper, the The route of each walk is given in detail. There Gazette, for 16 years. A trained are many stiles and many twists and turns on the biologist, Mary is an enthusiastic lover of nature way; you should familiarise yourself with the route whose walks include details of the birds and before you set out and take the map with you. flowers seen on the walks as well as meticulous route instructions. Mary is married, with four On all the walks I have tried to avoid too much grown-up children. road walking, but you do sometimes have to cross a busy road (after all, the main roads and the railway alike chose the easiest route) contents and here you should be very careful. walk 1 - Oxenholme station 4 Walking is a leisurely occupation, during which walk 2 - station 12 you can savour the bird life, the wild flowers, the beautiful land, the peace and tranquillity, none of walk 3 - Burneside station 18 which can be enjoyed, or certainly enjoyed fully, by car. Aren’t walkers lucky? Good walking. walk 4 - Staveley station 26

walk 5 - Windermere station 34

Mary Welsh

3 a walk around start and end oxenholme here

Oxenholme OXENHOLME Farm STATION This is a most pleasing walk through the 1 delightful countryside hidden away between the A6 and the M6. Low Oxenholme Garths House Beehive The quietness of this area is most welcome; 9 Bridge Air the Lake District is sometimes said to be too Valves Strickley crowded, but on this walk it is rare to meet Oxenholme Bridge Underhelm another person. Underhelm Farm Wood

As you stroll the pastures, and walk the lovely The Helm Helmside Farm lanes, little seems to have changed over

many years in this part of . Then you 2 notice, as you go, that several of the small Castlesteads Underhelm farmhouses, and their outbuildings, have been Fort Farm converted into fine houses and cottages, with splendid gardens. High Wells

Helm Mount Farm Helm End 8 3 Stang

High House Farm STAINTON CP

Knotts Millbridge 4 House Birkrigg High Park 7

Birkrigg Park

Crow Hill

5 Burial Gd

Low Park Farm

Urchinrigg Farm 6 Urchin Rigg

4 5 starting from Leave Oxenholme station by the main 1 entrance and walk right and then left to climb to the B6254. OXENHOLME Cross, with care, and use Oxenholme STATION oxenholme Farm the pavement on the right 1

side of the road and climb Low Garths Beehive Oxenholme Bridge straight uphill. House station Air Valves Strickley Bridge

Oxenholme Underhelm Almost opposite the Station Farm Underhelm Hotel, turn right into a narrow Wood Helmside gated road that runs along The Helm Farm Distance: 8 miles/13km the lower slopes of The Helm. 2

Castlesteads Underhelm Time: 4-5 hours As you stroll enjoy the Fort Farm

splendid view over Kendal and High Terrain: Good paths, tracks, narrow lanes Wells the green hills and pastures that surround it. Helm Mount Farm Helm End and easy pastures to walk. Stang Suitable for: All the family Refreshments: At the station café or platform two or the Station Hotel. Just before you reach the A65, turn 2 left to walk the signposted track that Public toilets: On platform one leads into woodland. The way climbs gently and soon comes beside a wall on the Map: OS 1950Explorer OL 7 right. Ignore any paths going off left and remain with the track, and then a narrow Mark the route in pencil on your map path, still keeping beside the wall. before you set off. There are many footpaths over this glorious countryside At the end of the track, cross a lane and descend the concrete drive opposite. Bear right and if you take the wrong one you might Oxenholme Farm OXENHOLME have a tedious road walk. with the concrete track and continue steadily STATION downhill to reach Helm End farm. Keep to the left of the dwellings and follow the reinforced way almost to its end and then, look left, for an easy- to-miss railed gap stile in the wall on your left. Oxenholme House Low Garths Beyond, turn right and then, at the end of the Beehive Bridge wall, on your right, go ahead bearing half left, to Air Oxenholme Valves a stile half way along the boundary on your left. Strickley Underhelm Underhelm Bridge Climb the stile, step over a little clapper bridge Wood Farm

and take the next stile ahead. The Helm Helmside Turn right and stride ahead Farm 2 across a large pasture, aiming

for a cluster of dwellings. Take Castlesteads Fort Underhelm the stile beside a gate in the Farm

boundary onto a track, between High buildings, and where there is a Wells signpost. Walk along the short Helm Mount winding way to a narrow lane. Farm Helm End 3 Stang

High House Farm STAINTON CP

Millbridge Knotts House

6 View of Kendal from near the Helm 7 Birkrigg High Park

Birkrigg Park

Crow Hill

Burial GD

Low Park Farm

Urchinrigg Farm Urchin Rigg The Helm Helmside Farm

Castlesteads Fort Underhelm Farm

High Wells

Helm Mount Farm Helm End Turn right and, once 3 Keep to the right of this quiet corner and 3 past the dwellings, look Stang 5 bear right to walk downhill for a short for the signposted left turn. High House distance until youHigh can House take a stile into the Farm Farm Take care as you climb the STAINTON CP woodland, now on your left. Here, turn left and stile, which lies very close to walk to another stile.STAINTON CP Knotts the stream below. Millbridge Knotts House Beyond continue on, with the south wall of the Ascend the pasture, 4 burial ground, now to your left. Carry on, with a Birkrigg Millbridge High Park keeping beside the wall Birkrigg copseHouse to your far right and then curve left into a High Park on your right. Go through a shrub-lined track. Pass through a tall gate, on Birkrigg Park metal gate and walk on a few steps to climb a Birkrigg Park your right, and descend to Low Park Lane. signed stile in the wall ahead. Wind right behind a dwelling and continue winding right to take the Turn left and, in a step or two, Crow take a right turn into the stile to the right of an elderly rusty gate. Hill gardens of Low Park farm, Crow Burial GD Hill Walk left to descend a narrow path through where the signpost is almostOxenholme Farm OXENHOLME woodland. Very soon the path divides, the right obscured by vegetation. 5 STATIONBurial Gd Low Park 1 Farm fork taking you to a deep ford on Saint Sunday’s Walk ahead, and then along Low Park Beck, the left enabling you to cross high a narrow path, to a shed. Farm Oxenholme above the hurrying steam on a moss-covered House Beyond, a ‘stranded’ Low footbridge. Garths 9Urchinrigg 6 BeehiveUrchin signpost directs you over a Farm Bridge Air Rigg Oxenholme Valves Follow the continuing path to the lane, which lawn to a stile into a pasture. Strickley High Underhelm Bridge Underhelm Farm runs through the hamlet ofWells Halfpenny. Here walk Walk ahead, with the wall to Wood

left and at the Y-junction wind right. (Note this your left, and keep parallel The Helm Helm Mount Helmside Farm spot if you have to shorten yourFarm walk because of with it as it winds round left. Stay with the wall a change in the weather.) Helm End as descends a little and2 then climbs steadily to a Stang gate to a lane opposite UrchinriggCastlesteads farm. Fort Underhelm Farm High House Farm High STAINTON CP Wells Follow this lovely, narrow Helm Mount Farm hedged way, which has Knotts 4 Millbridge Helm End House Bear right, then almost immediately8 left. grass down the middle. After 4 3 6 Then turn quickly left again, to walkStang close half a mile, you pass Birkrigg Birkrigg High Park behind a barn. Bear slightly left, onceHigh House more, High Park. Farm and then ahead over the lawns of theSTAINTON dwelling CP Birkrigg Park Then wind round, with the to a waymarked white gate into a pasture. Millbridge Knotts lane, to Birkrigg Park stables, House Crow Go on ahead, beside the just beyond. Take the Hill Birkrigg hawthorn hedge on your right. High Park signposted footpath, through 5 7 Burial GD Pass through a gate and go on a gate on the right, to walk Birkrigg Park Low Park down to the side of the narrow, between the buildings. Farm chuckling Peasey Beck. Walk Crow Hill left, upstream, for just under half Just before the next gate, into pastures, turn left. Urchinrigg Burial Gd Farm Walk past the ‘muck’ heap (one of the staff’s Urchin a mile, along the pretty way. Rigg Low Park description), and continue up a pleasing track Farm Climb several stiles as you go, first through woodland and then a pasture, to its Urchinrigg remaining close to the deepish, Farm 6 end below Crow Hill. Urchin dark stream and look out for Rigg Climb the stile, right of the gate, and walk on the first bridge across the beck. ahead, keeping parallel with the wall to your Do not cross, but turn away (unsigned) from the left. Near the end of the pasture, on the left, is a Peasey and walk across the field, along a narrow walled Quaker burial ground. path, to pass through a gate.

8 9 Oxenholme OXENHOLME Farm STATION 1

Low Oxenholme Garths House Beehive Bridge 9 Air Valves Strickley Bridge Oxenholme Underhelm Farm Underhelm Wood

Helmside The Helm Farm

Castlesteads Underhelm Fort Farm Turn right and walk the delightful lane At the narrow lane, turn right and enjoy the again to the junctionHigh at pleasing mile-long walk to the B6254. 7 Wells 9 Halfpenny. (From now on Helm Mount This hedged way is shadowed this is the route to followFarm if Helm End 8 by tall trees and the you have had to shorten the Stang views through the gaps, walk). Here, take the narrow High House OXENHOLME Farm between the trees, is Oxenholme STATION lane, right. Farm STAINTON CP most satisfactory. Knotts A short way along, just Millbridge House Birkrigg On reaching the B-road, beyond a bungalow on High Park Low Garths 7 turn left and climb a little Beehive Oxenholme Bridge the right, go through a blue House Birkrigg Park to pass the Station Hotel. 9 painted metal gate on the Air Then descend on the Valves Strickley left. Walk on in the same Bridge Crow pavement to where the Oxenholme Underhelm general direction, over the Hill Farm road swings left. Cross Underhelm narrow pasture, soon to come beside Saint Burial GD Wood and continue down the Low Park Sunday’s Beck. Go on to a ladderstile in the far Farm Helmside narrow road to the station. The Helm Farm left corner and, beyond, turn left and cross the Urchinrigg 6 Farm Urchin stiled footbridge over the beck. Rigg Strike towards a solitary oak tree in the middle of Castlesteads Underhelm the field and then go on to a track that leads to Fort Farm High House farm. Cross the cattle grid, and stroll the narrow lane to take the first signposted gate High Wells on the right. Helm Mount Farm Helm End Stang

Oxenholme Farm OXENHOLME Stroll ahead across the long pasture to STATION 8 go through the waymarked gate at the far end. Walk the Oxenholme House Low Garths hedged and fenced grassy 9 Beehive Bridge Air Oxenholme Valves way. Wind round left with it, Strickley Underhelm Bridge Underhelm Farm and then continue up beside Wood The Helm Helmside the hedge on your left. Farm

Castlesteads Descend to the bottom corner Fort Underhelm Farm

of this pasture to where there is High Wells

a wide gap. Go through, step Helm Mount Farm Helm End over an empty ‘drain’, and head 8 slightly left to a signposted gate Stang High House Farm in the nearest wall ahead of you. STAINTON CP

Millbridge Knotts Climb the path beyond and continue uphillHouse to Birkrigg a gate into trees. A few steps beyond walk up High Park the concrete track taken almost at the outset Birkrigg Park

Crow of the walk. Hill

Burial GD

Low Park Farm

Urchinrigg Farm Urchin Rigg

10 11 a walk around kendal start and end This walk, which starts from Kendal Station, here first visits Kendal Castle, where the grandfather KENDAL of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and last STATION 1 wife, lived. KENDAL

The walk then uses the cycle route constructed over what was once the route of the Lancaster Canal, which was drained in 1955 and filled in. The canal was known as Castle Hall the ‘black and white’ line’ because the barges carried cheap coal from Lancashire to Kendal KENDAL and returned with lime to sweeten the soil of Weir 2 Lancashire.

Kirkbarrow This easy-to-walk track takes you out into 6 The Lound the superb country between Oxenholme Aikrigg Romney and Kendal, the latter known as ‘the auld Bridge grey town’. The route then returns you to the station, for most of the way along the side Heron of the . The scenery is stunning, Hill the walking is generally level (except for the approach to the castle), and the paths, stiles 5 3 and gates are excellent. Oxenholme Road Burton Road Scroggs Wood

Watercrook Farm Mill

Natland Road

NATLAND CP Prizet Natland Bridge Natland Prizet Farm 4 Crowpark Hawes Bridge Bridge

12 View of Beech Avenue 13 KENDAL STATION 1 starting from Walk down the walledKENDAL 1 slope from the station and wind left to cross the Castle kendal station very busy road to Shap and Hal Appleby, using the light- controlled crossing. Walk 2 KENDAL right and, very soon, left into Weir Ann Street. Then bear left up

Distance: 7 miles/11.1km Kirkbarrow The Castle Street. Just before the Lound railway bridge, cross and walk up Castle Road. Aikrigg Time: 4-5 hours Romney Bridge Terrain: Easy walking for most of the way After a little climb take, on the right, a Heron signposted entrance (with a welcome plaque) Hill Suitable for: All the family to a gravelled path, leading up towards the Castle ruins. Pause to enjoy the glorious5 3 Refreshments: Spoilt for choice in Kendal view and notice the beacon holder. Oxenholme Road

Scroggs Wood Public toilets: Close to Stramongate Read the interesting plaques, wander Watercrook Farm Burton Road road and Castle Street around inside the curtain walls, andMill then return to the entrance and bear right. Walk Natland Road Map: OS 1950Explorer OL 7 two-thirds of the way round below the towering walls and above the ditch. Mark the route in pencil on your map before you set off. NATLAND CP Natland Natland Prizet Bridge

Leave by a grassy path, descendingPrizet left to come to a fine row of railedFarm steps, which 2 4 Crowpark Bridge Hawes lead to a kissing gate onto SunnysideBridge road. Walk downhill until just before the road bridge. Descend steps, on the left side, to join the bed of the old canal and walk on (left). Cross Park Side road, with care, and continue on to Change Bridge. This was once cobbled, enabling horses to cross without slipping. The horses could then

continue along the opposite side of the canal KENDAL STATION without having to unhook the towropeKENDAL between the horse and the barge. Carry on along the good track to cross the very busy Burton Road (A65) to enter a Castle tree-lined way. Go on under a fine Hall canal bridge, festooned with ivy, Weir 2 KENDAL and then walk on under a lofty avenue of beeches to arrive at the Kirkbarrow The side of Natland Road. Lound Romney Bridge Aikrigg

Heron Hill

3 Scroggs Wood

Watercrook Oxenholme Road Mill Farm

Burton Road

Natland Road

14 View of the Bridge to the south of the parish church 15 Prizet NATLAND CP Natland Bridge Prizet Natland Farm 4 Hawes Crowpark Bridge Bridge KENDAL STATION KENDAL 1

Castle Hal

Weir 2 KENDAL

Kirkbarrow 6 The Lound

Romney Bridge Aikrigg

Heron Hill KENDAL STATION KENDAL 3

Scroggs Wood

Watercrook Oxenholme Road Mill Farm

Burton Road Walk on until the Natland Road At the end of the track, bear right and drop pavement ends, cross down steps to continue along the edge of Castle 3 5 Hal and proceed on along the the river as it makes a great Prizet NATLAND CP Weir KENDAL opposite pavement and follow Natland curve. The path passes Bridge Prizet Natland Farm it as it bears half right into a 4 between great stands of Kirkbarrow Hawes Crowpark Bridge 6 Bridge The hedge-lined track. Himalayan balsam. Lound

Romney Follow the delightful way past Carry on for a mile and a Bridge Aikrigg a field of maize and then into open quarter until you near the Heron country with extensive views across to the Helm. turquoise-railed Romney Hill Bridge. The path takes 5 Pass under a ‘stranded’ canal bridge and carry you up a little slope to the Scroggs Wood until just before Crowpark Bridge (it has a stile side of the A6. Cross, with Watercrook Oxenholme Road below it and some metal fencing). Here take the Mill Farm

care, and turn right for Burton Road tall, sturdy, metal kissing gate, on the right, into a few steps down a metalled Natland Road quiet narrow lane. track beyond a low wall on your right. Turn right and descend to cross the River Kent Bear left and continue beside the river, on your by Hawes Bridge. Peer over the balustrade to right, and with houses to yourPrizet left. FollowNATLAND the CP Natland see a pretty cascade. Wind on along the lane Bridge Prizet Natland path until you arrive at a narrowFarm road. and take, on the right, a stile into a pasture, 4 Hawes Crowpark signposted Scroggs Lane. Bridge Bridge

Walk on to go ahead along the pavement. Walk ahead, keeping close to the river and 6 Cross to the opposite side of a busy bridge, 4 passing through a series of well built gap still with the river to your right - you may have stiles in the field walls. Here in the shallow water to walk, right, over the bridge, use the crossing above the pebbly bed you might spot dippers. and then return along the opposite pavement. The path then takes you high above the Kent just before it makes a wide bend. Continue a few steps along the road to take a purpose-built gap onto the path to continue Follow the path as it moves away from the beside the river, on your

hurrying water to cut across the pasture to go right. Enjoy the continuing KENDAL over a small tributary by a reinforced path. Climb pleasant Riverside Walk STATION up the other side of the stream to pass through to reach another very busy KENDAL a metal gate. Go on across more pasture to road bridge, which you

Castle leave by a small metal gate to join a road. Turn cross and carry on - still Hal left and then immediately left again to make a with the river to your right – short optional diversion through Scroggs Wood. Weir KENDAL past a large parking area. Weir

Kirkbarrow The Lound The little path, through the narrow strip of Aikrigg Stride on along New Road as Romney Kirkbarrow The Bridge 6 Lound ancient woodland, keeps above a tiny it winds left. At Stramongate, Aikrigg

Heron Romney tributary. It is easy to walk Hill turn right, cross the bridge, and Bridge and leads almost to the side 5 walk on, noting the 14th century Heron Hill

of the A6. Return the same Oxenholme Road cottage on the otherside of the road. Go over

Scroggs Wood Watercrook way and cross the road to Farm Burton Road the end of Ann Street and then the crossing. Mill 5 go through a stile to walk a Natland Road Wind left and then right. Ignore the wide way to Oxenholme Road gravelled path, under trees, Scroggs Wood Watercrook the original Kendal Station and take the walled Farm Burton Road with house gardens to the left Mill track, beyond, to return to the Links Line station. Natland Road and the river to your right. NATLAND CP Natland Natland Bridge Prizet

Prizet Farm 4 Crowpark Bridge Hawes Bridge

NATLAND CP Natland Natland Bridge Prizet Prizet Farm 4 Crowpark Bridge 16 Hawes 17 Bridge a walk around 4 Frost burneside Hole

Side Burneside station is really just a halt but, after House recent refurbishment, it is a rather splendid, streamlined halt. Make sure when organising your trip that your train stops at the halt – some don’t.

Hundhowe Godmond Hagg Hall Once it had a bustling goods yard and a foot private tramline which connected with several 5 mills. These sprang up in the valley, making Mirefoot full use of the water power of the Kent and the Weir

Sprint. In the 19th century the Cropper family Mill Braban House moved into the area. Cowan Head 3 James Winstanley Cropper bought the rag paper mills at Cowan Head and Burneside and Birkett Wood so began rapid industrialisation. Bowston 6 Bowston Farm

Whitefoot Weir start 2 and end STRICKLAND KETAL CP here 1 Mill Hall Road

Brow BURNESIDE Foot STATION Ellergreen Tolson Hall Park Farm Burneside

Hollins Bannel Farm Head Elba Monument

Toadpool The Todds

Windermere Road

18 19 Whitefoot starting from Leave Burneside Weir 2 1 platform and turn left Hall Road Mill through the gate and go 1 down theSTRICKLAND lane past the KETAL old CP burneside Brow BURNESIDE goods yard. Foot STATION Ellergreen Burneside On your left you can see a Tolson Hall Park station Farm short stretch of the tramway Hollins which connected the Line with Farm Bannel Elba Head Monument the former rag paper mill at The Cowan Head. Toadpool Todds Distance: 6 1/2 miles/10.5km Cross the main road and walk right to reach Time: 3-4 hours Burneside’s fine, St Oswald’s church. WindermereWalk on Road to pass the Jolly Anglers Inn and at the sign for the Terrain: Mainly good footpaths and school, turn left to walk along Hall Road. tracks. Very little road walking. Some climbing, but this is gently graded. Cross the bridge and continue on, with care, and then take a hedged footpath, on the left side Suitable for: All the family of the road.

Weir Refreshments: The Jolly Anglers Inn, Mill

Burneside. Braban House Public toilets: To the left of Burneside’s A short way along take 3

Dales Way Birkett the signposted footpath, Wood St Oswald’s church is a public toilet for 2 Bowston use by locals, wheelchair users and leading left, to walk the side Bowston Farm walkers. To access it look for directions of a pasture, with Cropper’s on the side of the church gates. This huge paper mill, obscured by trees, to your left. provision is a community effort after the Whitefoot Follow the path round to its Weir public toilets were closed very recently. 2 end at a stile into a pasture Mill These still stand opposite the church. Brow 1 Foot BURNESIDE Hall Road – and a fine view of the lovely STATION

Map: OS Explorer 7 countryside. Then take a little pathTolson HalldroppingEllergreen Farm down towards the river and continuing on,Park below Burneside Mark the route in pencil on your a high bank covered, in high summer, with a map before you set off. glorious array of wild flowers. When you reach a large metal stile over a wall, ignore it and climb up the high bank, where others have climbed before, and continue beside the wall (on your left) to the join a narrow lane by a stile. Cross and take the stile opposite and walk ahead up three pastures, keeping parallel with, but a little away from, the wall on your left, to come to an unsigned gate onto a wide bridleway.

20 View of the River Kent 21 Turn left. A short way along, leave the track, At the corner of woodland, on your right, the 3 right, keeping a bungalow to your left. track soon begins to swing Wind a little left, and then right, to pass the back left to a farm. Here leave the Frost 4 corner of Braban House. track and drop down the Hole pathless slope to a stile in the Go on to a gate where the waymark is difficult bottom left corner; this gives Side to spot. Beyond, stride left, across the middle access to a narrow road. House of a field to go through a waymarked farm gate to walk a delightful hedged bridleway. At the Walk left and at the start of narrow lane, turn right and walk on to take, on the first dwelling on your right, Hundhowe the left, just beyond a layby, a signed bridleway. Hagg Foot, go through a Hagg Godmond foot Hall signposted gate, the signpost 5 Climb the reinforced way to its end and then obscured by bushes. Mirefoot go ahead to a signposted Weir Mill Cowan Head gate, the left of two. Braban 4 House Frost Beyond, climb steadily. Hole Ignore a signposted left Side House Birkett turn, and follow the way Dales Way Wood Wind round left, beside the retaining wall, Bowston as it curves a little and and, after a few steps, take a hedged Bowston 5 Farm Godmond becomes grassy. Hundhowe Hall Hagg track bearing right towards the River Kent. foot Look right to see where Mirefoot Cross the wooden bridge (no one seems to Whitefoot Weir Braban House water from Ghyll Pool Mill Weir 3 agree on the status of this bridge though all the sparkles as it tumbles over Cowan Head STRICKLAND KETAL CP Birkett maps give it as a right of way), with care, and Mill Wood Hall Road a small dam. Go on up the Dales Way Brow BURNESIDE turn left to walk the Dales Way (DW), a flower- Foot Bowston STATION indistinct grassy trod to go Bowston Farm lined narrow path beside a lovely stretch of the Tolson Hall Ellergreen through a gap in the wall. Farm Park River Kent. Bank Burneside Whitefoot End Weir Side House High Bannel Hollins Brundrigg Climb the next stile and then head towards Hall Road Head Elba Farm Mill Monument Go through a gate and then onLow by the mill pool Brundrigg the large dam of Potter Tarn, remainingSTRICKLAND on KETAL the CP Toadpool Brow BURNESIDE Foot STATION and between cottages, with the huge Ellergreen Burneside The left of overflow stream. At the foot of the dam, Park Tolson Hall Todds Farm complex of Cowan Head Godmond turn left and go on to a large ladderstile. Once Hollins Hundhowe Hall Windermere Road Bank Farm towering over all. Carry End Elba Hagg Bannel Monument foot over, climb gently. Walk ahead, following theHead The High Todds Brundrigg Toadpool on at the back of the 5 Mirefoot

waymarks, and then wind slightly rightLow before Brundrigg complex, once the route Windermere Road descending to go through a gate. Weir Braban of the old tramway, either House Mill on the tarmacked road, or Bear right with the good track, go through a Cowan Head purpose-built wall gap and turn sharp left. Walk just inside the fence (DW), Birkett where the narrow grassy Wood the narrow winding footpath, to descend to a Dales Way path, just above the steep wall at the bottom of the slope. Bowston 6 bank of the river, has been Bowston Farm carefully cut.

Whitefoot Where this ends, go ahead Weir

along a continuing track to pass the bungalows Hall Road Turn left to walk a lovely wide grassy Mill 4 trod, shadowed by oaks. Pass at Bowston. The track passes, on the right, STRICKLAND KETAL CP Winstanley Row, four pleasing houses with Brow BURNESIDE through a gate and carry on to a tiny Foot STATION long front gardens and named after James Ellergreen Burneside cottage. Here, leave the track and wind Park Tolson Hall round left to the front of the cottage. Winstanley Cropper who bought the paper Farm Hollins mills at Cowan Head and Burneside Bankand Farm End Elba Bannel With your back to its front door, pick up another Monument provided the cottages for his workers. Head The High Todds pleasing grassy trod that goes straight ahead Brundrigg Toadpool

into another pasture. Low Brundrigg

Windermere Road

22 23 Join the road and walk left to take the 6 second turn on the left. Notice as you go, the houses on the opposite side of the main 4 Frost road, Winstanley Place. Hole Follow the left turn and Side where it winds round right House and then left to cross the fine stone bridge over the

river. At its end go through Godmond Hundhowe Hall Hagg the stile, on the right, to foot walk beside the lovely Kent 5 Mirefoot once more. Go over a stile Weir Braban and stroll on. Mill House Cowan Head Then make a beeline for the high metal stile you Birkett Wood ignored almost at the outset of the walk. Carry Dales Way

on along the narrow path and then climb the Bowston Bowston bank to a stile to the footpath that winds round Farm the paper mill.

Whitefoot Turn right at the track end, and soon join Hall Weir

Hall Road road. Once across the bridge over the river you Mill may wish to turn right to come toSTRICKLAND the graveyard KETAL CP Brow BURNESIDE of the church. Pass through it to the gate to Foot STATION Ellergreen Burneside Tolson Hall Park the main road, where you turn right to return to Farm

Hollins Burneside Halt. Bank Farm End Bannel Elba Head Monument The High Todds Brundrigg Toadpool

Low Brundrigg

Windermere Road

24 25 a walk around staveley start and end here This easy-to-walk ramble takes you first Weir over the higher land that lies to the south of STAVELEY Spring Hag the River Kent as it flows between Staveley STATION Staveley Park and Burneside and then returns you along Sewage Works the side of the beautiful river. Once all the 1 traffic from Windermere to Kendal passed Hundhowe along Staveley’s narrow main street. Sandyhill 5 Hagg NETHER STAVELEY CP 6 foot Moss Mirefoot Today the village is by-passed by the A591. Lily Fell Side 2 Staveley is an enterprising village and a visit to Field Cragg Farm Close Staveley Weir Crossing its Mill Yard is well worthwhile to see its several Mill small, unusual shops, which add to the variety Cowan Head found along the main street. If you can fit in a visit

to the village, look out for St Margaret’s Tower in Broadfold 4

the main street. This is all that remains of a 14th Ashes

century chapel built by William de Thweng, who 3 Dales Way Winter Lane also obtained a market charter for Staveley. Plantation Bridged Bowston Bowston Just on the way out (north) of the village, the River Farm Kent is crossed by Barley Bridge. In 1620 this was the scene of a meeting of “border tenants”, farmers who held their land on condition they provided fighting men to defend the border against the Scots. James I was already king of Scotland when he became king of England in 1603 and he decided to dispossess the tenants.

When they opposed him they were summoned to the Star Chamber, and the meeting at Barley Bridge was to plan their tactics. To conceal the purpose of the meeting they invited the High Constable, saying they wanted him to look at a fault in the bridge. Later they won their case before the Star Chamber and kept their land. It was in the precincts of St Margaret’s chapel that the rights of border tenant farmers were officially upheld.

26 28 STAVELEY Weir STATION

Staveley Park Spring Hag 1 Sewage NETHER STAVELEY CP Works

Sandyhill Lily Fell Moss Hundhowe Field Side Close Hagg foot

Staveley Crossing Cragg Farm Mirefoot

Weir Mill Cowan Head starting from Descend the steps from Staveley station Turn rightAshes and walk theBroadfold quiet 1 and walk right to pass under the railway 3 way until you reach a small 4 bridge. Walk on and, just before the bridge over triangle of grass, on the left, and a 3 Plantation the bypass, cross the road to stride the track, on narrow road, unsigned, leading offBridged Winter Lane staveley station Dales Way the left, signposted the Dales Way (DW). left, which you take. Follow it as it Bowston

winds right towards a farmhouse Bowston Walk between the dwellings Farm and several other dwellings. at Moss Side, and follow Weir Distance: 4 1/2 miles/7.4km the access road as it STAVELEY Go through the gate, with the waymark STATION Spring Hag curves right to take a stile Staveley Park Sewage beyond, and a few steps along take steps up Time: 3 hours Works over the wall on the right. 1 to a lawn, on the left, and then walk right to a Turn left and walk along waymarkedHundhowe gate. Terrain: Generally easy walking. Pastures Sandyhill Hagg the side ofNETHER the wall STAVELEY (on your CP foot and paths can be muddy after rain. Moss Beyond, stroll on, steadily descending over left), to pass through the Lily Fell Side 2 Mirefoot Field rough pasture, beside a wall on the right. Go next stile and then carry on Close Staveley Cragg Farm Suitable for: All the family Crossing throughWeir an iron gate and continue on a grassy along a short walled and Mill swathe, that winds on downhill, soon becoming Refreshments: Wilf’s café. Several pubs in hedged way. Go through the Cowan Head very pleasant to walk, to the valley below. the main street. Railway Hotel by station. next gate and pass under the Broadfold 4 railway bridge. Ashes Pass through the gates of two sheep pens, Public toilets: Just beyond the road Winter Lane Dales Way Go on ahead to come to the side of Staveley’s Plantation walk ahead and join the road, the Dales Way, bridge over the River Gowan at the foot of Bridged in frontBowston of Cowan Head, the huge complex of ‘slip’ road, cross and walk right, using the Bowston Station Road in the centre of the village. Farm pleasing path. After 250 yards look for the easy- apartments that was once a rag paper mill. Map: OS Explorer 7 to-miss DW signed track on the left. Go through a gate and walk along the delightful hedged and Weir Mark the route in pencil on your fenced way, with a pleasing view to your left, to Spring Hag Staveley Park Sewage Hundhowe map before you set off. come to a two-armed signpost. TurnSTAVELEY left and walk on Works STATION Hagg along the walled way foot 4 5 Mirefoot 1 Sandyhill Weir beside the complex. Go past STAVELEY several cottages and then on Weir STATION Moss Cragg Farm Mill beside the old mill poolSide with Staveley Park Staveley NETHER STAVELEYLily Fell CP Crossing Cowan Head Field Walk ahead here, leaving the DW. Head on Spring Hag its weir. BeyondClose the next gate, Sewage 4 up the gently rising, lovely path, lined Workswith stroll on along a narrow path 2 Dales Way NETHER STAVELEY CP Broadfold hazels and small stretches beside the stately River Kent. Winter Lane Sandyhill Bowston of wall,Lily Fell to arrive at a sturdy Ashes Bowston Moss Hundhowe Plantation Farm At the right time of the year you Bridged stone Fieldstep stile into aSide pasture. Hagg Close 2 foot might see salmon leaping out of the Turn right and walk along Staveley water and, also, you might spot a kingfisher. Cragg Farm Mirefoot by the wall to climb the Crossing Ignore Hagg Bridge and pass through two stile in the corner. Go Weir gates, with a fine barn between. Here the river Mill on, straight ahead, over Cowan Head rages over rocky shallows, the haunt of a dipper. Broadfold a rough pasture.Ashes Climb the step stile and follow the path, soon to It is eventually waymarked, 3 come very close to the hurrying water, before Plantation directing you towards a Bridged Winter Lane climbing steeply to a pasture and a ‘finger- Dales Way signpost. Just beyond is a Bowston trapping’ gate.

private road to Cragg Rigg. Bowston Farm Carry on, now with a wall, to your right, to climb a high ladderstile. Head on along the distinct path then bear slightly right towards the river and wind round, right, of a walled wood to ascend a ladderstile, on the left, into the wood. Keep, right, beside the wall to the emerge from the trees by ladderstile.

29 31 Wind round beside the river where it makes 5 a large bend to go through a gate. Avoid a wet area by keeping well left of the wall on your right, Weir and then head towards Spring Hag STAVELEY Staveley Park the right corner,STATION where two Sewage Works walls come close together. Hundhowe Hagg 5 foot Go on along the track, Sandyhill 6 between the walls, and Moss NETHER STAVELEY CP Side through theLily gate Fell at the end. Cragg Farm Weir Field Staveley Mill Beyond, look forClose the large Crossing sign, on the left, directing Cowan Head you to a kissing gate and, at last, leaving the lovely river. Broadfold

Ashes Winter Lane Bowston Beyond the gate, the footpath to Staveley, Plantation continues parallel with the wall on your Bridged right. Wind round with the wall to come to the signposted gate where you left the DW almost at the start of the walk.

Turn right to walk the track to the 6 road and then right along the good path, with the odd glimpse of the river. Continue on to pass Sandyhill (two dwellings), and then you reach the signpost directing you Weir across the road in the STAVELEY STATION direction of the station. Staveley Park Spring Hag Sewage Here you may wish to return Works by your NETHERoutward route STAVELEY or CP Sandyhill continue into Staveley. If the Hundhowe Lily Fell Moss 6 Hagg latter, soon cross the road Field Side foot to go over the footbridge, Close Staveley Cragg Farm beside the road, to walk Crossing over the River Gowan on Weir Mill its way to join the Kent. Cowan Head Broadfold Ashes Stroll through the busy village, past St 4 Margaret’s Tower and on to the far side of the Plantation Winter Lane Spar shop, where you turn left into the Mill Bridged Yard development, where there are several Bowston delightful shops and Wilf’s café. To return to the station from here, walk on along the main street to turn left over the River Gowan once more and continue up Station road.

32 View of the Old mill building left intact in Cowan Head complex 33 a walk around windermere

This delightful walk, rarely far from the busy start town of Windermere, takes you through rolling and end pastures, below fine trees and over delightful here WINDERMERE CP fell slopes. The route uses good paths, tracks WINDERMERE and quiet lanes. It is mainly level walking and STATION Bannerrigg the few slopes to be climbed are all easy. Farm Alice Howe This is the only town in the Lake District 1 that is accessible by rail and its station has had a splendid ‘face lift’. People who lived Droomer here before the railway came would not 2 recognise the busy town today with its many

shops catering for locals and the tourist Gill trade alike. An interesting landmark in the 11 Heathwaite 3 Whasdike small town is the Baddeley clock tower, built in memory of Thomas Baddeley, the 12 School Knott first writer of guides to the Lake District. Plantation

On arriving at Windermere station, walk right 4 Yews through Lakeland Limited (Plastics) car park. School Knott Grandsire It is not a right of way but the firm is happy for 10 walkers to pass through to reach Thwaites 5 Pinethwaite Lane, where you turn left - but first note the closing times in the information panel. Belm Heathwaite Hag End Farm Manor 9 BOWNESS-ON Home WINDERMERE Farm 7 6 Matson Ground

Low House Farm

8 Summer Grove B5284 Plantation

34 36 WINDERMERE CP WINDERMERE STATION

Bannerrigg Farm Alice Howe

Droomer

Continue, with care, up the lane (no Follow the track that starting from takes you beside the Gill 1 pavement and lots of parked cars) to the 3 Heathwaite A591. Go right, for less than 100yds, to stream to a road. Bear 3 just beyond the farm, right and, in a few steps, windermere Whasdike to take a signposted WINDERMERE CP take the continuing track, School Knott gate on the right. WINDERMERE going off left, and leading Plantation STATION Bannerrigg to a deer gate (note station Farm 4 Again take care how Alice this for your return). School you descend from Howe Knott the pavement down a 1 Walk on along the Grandsire Yews Pinethwaite sometimes slippery short Droomer reinforced way, with the slopes Distance: 7 miles/11.2km slope to the stile and also 2 of School Knott ascendingBelm on your left. Just BOWNESS-ON Farm Heathwaite when descending from before the next deer gate, look for an interestingManor Time: 4-5 hours WINDERMERE Home Hag End the last step of the stile. Gill plaque set on a boulder and thenFarmWINDERMERE go through the CP gate to pass the lovely cottage, Old Droomer. Terrain: Easy walking all the way. Well Go ahead through a gate Heathwaite WINDERMERE Bannerrigg Whasdike STATION Farm waymarked, stiled and gated. into a pasture. Head on, to pass through a Matson Ground Alice metal farm gate. Follow an indistinct path, School Knott Howe Suitable for: All the family Plantation slightly left, to go through another kissing gate. Low House Wind round left with the trackFarm and Refreshments: The entrance to Booth’s 4 in a few steps descend, on the Droomer Then walk straight down the slope to a deer School Yews Knott B5284 café lies next to the station. Spoilt for gate into an area of young trees (the gate is right,Grandsire the signposted steps down to a Summer Grove clapper bridge over the small beck. Plantation choice in Windermere. very narrow and you may have to take off your Pinethwaite Gill rucksack). Walk ahead through the young Whasdike Public toilets: At the station Cross and climb straight ahead, with trees, along a path reinforced with shortBelm pieces Heathwaite Farm Heathwaite a hedge Hagto theEnd right. of tree trunks, toBOWNESS-ON the next deer gate, and then Manor Map: OS Outdoor Leisure 7 Home Do not pass through School Knott climb the accessWINDERMERE path to the railway line. Farm the gate in the wall on Plantation NB: Lakeland Limited close the gates to your left, but, higher Yews 4 their car park at 7pm on weekdays and Matson up the pasture, move School Ground Grandsire 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays and over to walk beside Knott Cross, with care, and descend steps to Low House on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Farm the wall – on your left. Pinethwaite 2 walk in front of a row of garages.WINDERMERE Bear left CP Ignore all gaps in this 5 WINDERMERE Summer Grove Hag End Mark the route in pencil on your and then a little right, to walk along Ghyll Road,B5284 Plantation wall and go on to take STATION Belm Heathwaite to cross the same road as it swings sharp right. the stile where you step Farm Manor map before you set off. Bannerrigg Farm straight onto a narrow Home Walk on ahead and cross Alice BOWNESS-ON Farm Howe road. Cross and, slightly a second road and go on WINDERMERE right, take the metal kissing gate. down a pleasing narrow, Matson hedged lane to a small stone Droomer Descend the path over a pasture, fromGround 2 Low House bridge over a narrow beck. where there is a fine view of the lake. Farm Turn right onto a track, as Carry on to pass to the left of a pleasing Summer Grove Plantation directed by the signpost, in Gill cottage. Go on along the path, following B5284 the direction of School Knott. Heathwaite 3 it as it winds down through a copse.

Whasdike 11

School Knott Plantation

School Knott Yews Grandsire Pinethwaite

Belm Farm Heathwaite BOWNESS-ON Manor Hag End WINDERMERE Home Farm

Matson 37 Ground View of Schoolknott 39

Low House Farm

B5284 Summer Grove Plantation WINDERMERE CP WINDERMERE STATION Bannerrigg Farm Alice Howe 1

Droomer

Gill Heathwaite Whasdike WINDERMERE CP School Knott Plantation WINDERMERE Bannerrigg STATION Farm Alice School Yews Howe Knott Grandsire

Pinethwaite Droomer

Belm Farm Heathwaite BOWNESS-ON Manor Hag End Gill Home WINDERMERE Farm At the foot of the slope, turn left to FollowWhasdike the clear path as 5 follow the track, signposted Bowness.Heathwaite 7 it winds ahead down 7 Stroll on along the way and watch out for over the pasture, veering Matson School Knott Ground the easy-to-miss unsignposted gap stile Plantation slightly right and, soon with Low House on the left, where you leave the track. a fence to your left.Yews Cross a Farm little stream and go through School Grandsire Stride on to pass Knott 8 Summer Grove a kissing gate to climb up B5284 Plantation through a kissing gate to a superb stand of oaks. and then on to join a Pinethwaite 5 WINDERMERE CP reinforced track, where Pass throughHag End the trees and follow the Bannerrigg WINDERMERE Farm STATION you bear left. In a few Belm Heathwaite waymark directing you down to the right corner Manor Alice yards take a waymarked Farm to go through a kissing gate. GoHowe through the Home gate on the leftBOWNESS-ON and Farm next gate, almost immediately ahead. walk ahead, keepingWINDERMERE Droomer beside the fence on 6 Walk up beside the wall on your left, with young Matson Gill WINDERMERE CP mixed deciduous trees to your right, to go Whasdike the left, ignoring the Ground WINDERMERE through another gate. BearHeathwaite left and wind right to oblique row of waymarks Low House STATION Farm School Knott come to edge of the Crook Road. Plantation that direct walkers Summer Grove BannerriggPlantation Farm on their way to Bowness. Pause here and Alice Yews B5284 Howe School Grandsire look back on gracious Helm Farm. Knott

Pinethwaite Walk on to take the signed kissing gate in Droomer Take the stone steps Hag End the boundary ahead, and go on to pass 9 Belm Heathwaite between two large clumps of gnarled oaks, 8 over the wall on yourFarm left, Manor Home with heavily moss-encrusted trunks, where and thenBOWNESS-ON go through the gateFarm Gill WINDERMERE you are likely to hear, and perhaps see, a Heathwaite (with a very stiff catch) and Matson tree creeper, nuthatch or woodpecker. walk the little path, with theGround Low House Crook roadWhasdike to your right, for Farm Summer Grove 100 yards, to take the stepped 8 Plantation School Knott B5284 Plantation stile to join a narrow lane. Walk left, along this delightful way. School Stride ahead, to pass a short row of Knott Continue out intoYews glorious rolling pastures, 6 cottages on your left, and on beyond, Grandsire to take another signed Pinethwaite where the gated way ceases to be metalled, for nearly three-quarters of a mile. At the signpost, kissing gate. Belm BOWNESS-ON Farm Heathwaite turn sharp right and follow the track as it climbs Manor Walk a fewWINDERMERE steps on Home theHag fell End slopes. grass, then the same on Farm Cross a small stream and go on along a reinforced track. Then 6 7 Matson the track to a gate. Just beyond, take the step off it, right, and follow Ground the footpath ahead, with gate on the right, below two tall conifers. Low House Then climb a wide grassy sward veering a pool to you right, to a Farm kissing gate in the fence. up through the large pasture to gap in the derelict wall in the top far corner. B5284 Summer Grove Cross the metalled Plantation road to another kissing Beyond, follow the path as it goes ahead and gate and walk up a fenced downhill. At the waymark, wind round left with grassy track at the side of a pleasing pasture the path. Pause here to look, left, across a damp to come to a narrow road, which you cross pasture, to Grandsire, a fine rough heather and to take the continuing signed footpath. bracken-covered slope. Go through a kissing gate and then on to another into a short track leading to Hag End farm.

40 41 WINDERMERE CP

Bannerrigg WINDERMERE Farm STATION Alice Howe

Droomer

Gill Whasdike

Heathwaite

School Knott Plantation

Yews

School Grandsire Walk on keepingKnott left of 10 Emerge from the trees and carry on 9 a barn. Here you might 11 along the path. Ignore a gap stile on the wish for somePinethwaite refreshments at right and continue to an access road, where you

the recently opened ‘Troffers’. Hag End walk left. Wind on right and then left to 9 Belm Heathwaite Follow it as it soon curves right. Ignore the next Farm walk inManor front of the farmhouse Bannerrigg Home left turn and walk on to passFarm through a gate. BOWNESS-ON Farmto stride the access track to WINDERMERE CP WINDERMERE a narrow lane. Turn left and Ignore the road as it turns sharp WINDERMEREright and walkAlice ahead walk on to go through the gate. STATION Howe Matson towards a corrugated Ground 11 Just beyond, take the signposted footpath on roofed1 reservoir, with Low House Droomer Whasdike the Farmleft across a pasture to a stile. Once over, a notice saying ‘deep Summer Grove follow the path, right, besidePlantation a fence and wind water’. Head on to theGill next B5284up with the path to climb a step stile in the wall. waymark, which stands School Knott 12 Plantation Yews clearly on Heathwaitea small mound. Drop down beside a wall on your right and then bear, right, to cross an unfenced lane. Go over Stroll on to cross a Grandsire School the stile, opposite, and carry on ahead on a stream and continue into Knott

path. Climb the next stile to cross the access the trees of Schoolknott Hag End track to attractive Yews on your the right. plantation. Follow the Pinethwaite wide path, which eventually Follow the arrow to go through the next gate and Heathwaite leads out of the matureManor trees and continues, wind right to descend the pathless way beside Belm bearing steadilyFarm left, through a younger trees, on your left, to go through a kissing gate in Home deciduous planting,Farm to a deer gate. a new hedge of hawthorn, fenced on either side. BOWNESS-ON WINDERMERE Matson Ground Summer Grove Plantation LowFarm House

WINDERMEREBear CPslightly left, across boggy ground, Beyond, go B5284on along the distinct path, WINDERMERE10 to cross a tiny stream on a turf bridge. 12 climbing gently and then traversing the STATION Continue on heading in the same direction, lower slopes of School Knott. Head on along the towards a short row of trees. Here take a signed path, for about a quarter of Bannerrigg WINDERMERE CP stileAlice over the fence, on theFarm left side of the trees. a mile from the deer gate. WINDERMERE 1 Howe STATION Bannerrigg Farm Beyond, a few stones help you over a mirey Keep a look out for Alice Howe Droomerpatch. Then walk on, with a wider stream to another deer gate through your right. Keep on winding steadily right to join the wall on the right. Pass Droomer the gated road to Ings, where you turn left. After through and descend less than 100 yards, take the the slopes, past more Gill Gill Heathwaitesignposted footpath off left. young trees, until you Heathwaite reach the track and the Whasdike Move steadily away from the 12 gate mentioned in point School Knott Whasdike 11 Plantation derelict wall, on your right, 3 above. Turn right and School Knott on a wide grassy trod, to School Plantation retrace your outward Knott take a gate into Whasdike Grandsire Yews route to return to the start. Pinethwaite Wood, whereSchool you will Belm Knott BOWNESS-ON Farm Heathwaite want to dawdle to enjoy WINDERMERE Manor Grandsire Yews Home Hag End the Pinethwaiteflowers and birds. Farm 10 BOWNESS-ON Belm Farm Matson Heathwaite Ground WINDERMERE Manor Home Low House Farm Farm Hag End B5284 Summer Grove Plantation Matson Ground

Low House Farm

B5284 42 Summer Grove View of Pleasing pasture 43 Plantation Windermere

Staveley

Burneside

Kendal

Oxenholme

This leaflet is produced in association with the Lakes Line Community Rail Partnership which was formed in order to support the Oxenholme to Windermere railway line.

Working closely with First TransPennine Express, the Lakes Line project officer works both with the local community and with existing and new passengers in order to promote and revitalise this important transport link into the Lake District.

Author’s and Publisher’s Note Readers are advised that while the author has taken every effort to ensure the accuracy of these walks, changes can occur after publication. You should check locally on times of trains etc. Neither the publisher nor the author can accept responsibility for errors, omissions or any loss or injury.

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