| Area: | Lake District | Ascent: | 1031 feet |
| Walk No: | 121 | Time: | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| Date: | 10th February 2008 | Parking: | Askham (NY 513237) |
| Distance: | 8.75 miles | Weather: | Fine and sunny. (Mist at first) |
| Route: | Askham - Heughscar Hill - Heugh Scar - The Cockpit - Tarn Moor - Cop Stone - Helton - Whale - Askham |
Once again the weatherman had given a beautiful day although misty at first. As we travelled up the M6 the views across to the Howgill Fells at the south end of the Lune Gorge were magnificent. The valley bottom was filled with cloud just up to the level of the motorway and the Howgills stood proud above this. As we reached Tebay however the cloud level was higher and we were soon in quite dense fog until we reached Askham. We set off from Askham for Heughscar Hill and as we gradually gained height we came out of the cloud with views across to the North Pennines. Reaching Heughscar the views down into the Ullswater valley were unbelievable. The valley bottom was filled with dense white cloud with the fells behind looking like islands in a sea of white. This cloud inversion did not quite match our walk on the 20th December 2006 only because there was an haziness to the views whils on that occassion the views were more clearer. From Heughscar Hill we made our way to "The Cockpit" and then to the "Cop Stone" of which more later. From the Cop Stone we descended first to Helton and then to Whale from where we returned to Askham.
"The Cockpit"
Our path across Tarn Moor
Looking towards Loadpot Hill
Rejoining the bridleway near the Cop Stone
"The Cop Stone"...The last remnant of an old Stone Circle
Walkind down to the village of Helton with Cross Fell and Great Dunn Fell ahead
Heltonhead Farm
Helton
The path across the valley bottom to Whale
Approaching the River Lowther and evidence of valley flooding. The debris caught in the fence had forced the fence over. The fence stands fully 14 feet above the rivers current level.
A peacefull River Lowther
Looking back to Helton
The village green at Whale.
Our path back to Askham Bridge follows part of The Millers Way
Walking through the Low Deer Park plantation
Askham Bridge reflected in the River Lowther
The River Lowther from Askham Bridge with what looks like an abandoned canoe on the bank
St Peter's Church at Askham
Askham.......A Wainwright said that Askham was Westmorlands most attractive village.
The Punchbowl Inn.....but I prefer a cuppa
And here's where we'll get it, along with the best fruit scone I've had in many a long day!
And finally .....Back to the car with views over Lowther Castle to the North Pennines.
To return to Part 1 of this walk click HERE
Next Walk: 11th February 2008 -- A riverside walk
We hope you have enjoyed viewing this walk. If you have any comments please sign our Guestbook or E_Mail us
