For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

Yet another day where the walking had to be left until after mid-day due to the weather. I was by myself today as Edith was at her brothers and it was around 13.00hrs when I set off. I left the car near the school in Silverdale and walked back through the village to take the path across the fields to The Cove. From there it was but a short road walk, where incidentally I crossed from Lancashire into Cumbria, to enter Holgates Caravan Park. A short walk through the caravan park and across a couple of fields took me Hollins Farm and the path up Heathwaite and to the viewpoint on Arnside Knott. After a brief stop for pictures it was up again for the final short climb to the summit. My descent was down Red Hills and then through the woods to emerge onto the Silverdale road near Arnside Knott farm. I walked down to the farm and then to Arnside Tower before taking a lane which returned me to the caravan and then The Cove. From the cove I had intended to walk along the shoreline back to Silverdale but the mud looked very wet and knowing I had to clean my own boots today I opted to retrace my outward route across the fields.

Route Map

I left the car at the roadside in Silverdale and then walked back through the village to access the path across the fields to The Cove.

The access point to the fields.

It's another dull day but there are some signs of brightness in the sky.

A look back down to the shore with the row of old fishermens cottages.

Looking down on The Cove with the cave in the cliff.

From the Cove I walked up the lane and to Holgates Caravan Park.

There are a couple of RoW's through the park and walkers are welcome to use the cafe facilities.

Leaving the park to walk across to Far Arnside and Hollin's Farm

First view of the Knott.

Having crossed the fields just turn right along the road for a few yards and then take the lane to Hollin's Farm.

Hollin's Farm....my path is to the left of the buildings.

Having walked up the path and avoided the two escapees I entered Heathwaite.

Walking up Heathwaite.

Looking towards Bowland hills from Heathwaite.

At the top of Heaththwaite you meet a bridleway, ignore this and carry on straight ahead up the slope of the Knott.

Eventually you reach these two bench seats. The main path carries on up to the right of them. However it is a far better option to take the path ahead....

....which having contoured around the Knott passes through a gate in a wall then climbs to the viewpoint.

However today the views are somewhat limited but if you are lucky the views are magnificent. Here looking over the Kent estuary to Grange with Hampsfell behind.

To cloud topped Conistons.

And to slightly clearer Eastern & Far Eastern Fells.

Distant Howgills

Looking down Morecambe Bay to home.

A final little puff and pant as I pass the Lovers Tree on the way to the top......

.....where I was blessed with a strange light.....I believe it's called sunlight.

However the Conistons still refuse to come out and play.

Arnside Knott summit.

My descent took me down Red Hills but aiming to the right of this picture.

Looking up the Kent estuary. I am walking down to meet the wall ahead at a corner on the far right.

At the wall corner go through the gate ignoring another on the left and follow the wall down....

After a couple of hundred yards or so the path bears off to the right to lead you to a gate and out onto the Arnside - Silverdale road.

Turn right down the road then left down the lane to the farm.

Pass through the farmyard to the right of the farmhouse. There's usually a couple of dogs about but they are used to strangers tramping through their patch.

Once through the farmyard go up the slope to the tower.

Arnside Tower.....Arnside tower is a spectacular and almost unique example of a Cumbrian Pele Tower.  The oldest building in the parish, the tower was built in the late 14 or early 15th century, and was a free standing tower (most pele towers had outbuildings or were attached to a house or hall of some sort). The tower would originally have been four and five storeys tall, however due to systematic dismantling and weathering and age, it is now both roofless and floorless. The tower was severely burned in 1602, probably through a domestic fire rather than as the result of an attack, but was repaired and then occupied. Between 1684 and 1690, the dismantling occurred, with building materials being removed to Beetham and Knowsley.

Arnside Knott from the tower.

There are a number of options for a return to Silverdale. I would normally go over the stile and through the top of the caravan park to the Pepper Pot but today I decided to go to the right and follow the track back to to the bottom end of the caravan park.

After a few hundred yards the track emerges onto one of the roads heading towards the clubhouse from where I retraced my steps back to The Cove.

Having arrived at the Cove I did contemplate returning to Silverdale along the shore. A number of years this was a lovely finish to the walk, walking on springy salt washed turf. The route from Siverdale to Far Arnside used to be marked with a series of upright pole one which can be seen in the centre picture. Sadly the salt marsh as now all gone and the walk can be rather muddy so I decided on the field paths and clean boots.

And finally.....Back into Silverdale and the car.

Next Walk:     8th August 2010 - Yorkshire Dales - The Turbary Road and Yordas Cave 

Last Walk:       3rd August 2010 - Silverdale - Jenny Browns Point from Crag Foot

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