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 appointment at my GP's surgery delayed today's plans and it was around noon when we set off with no particular destination in mind. As we drove along the promenade at Morecambe the views across the bay towards the Lake District were very poor. Also the price of petrol is now affecting our walking decisions. Our fuel costs for the car are around £50.00/week (even with the help of 5p off vouchers from Morrisons) and obviously shorter journeys mean more walks. Anyway the decision was made to visit our old favourite and like always we enjoyed it tremendously.

The car was left in one of the two parking lay-bys on the Arnside - Silverdale road near Arnside Tower farm.

Our path skirts around the eastern side of the Knott to pick up a wall.....

.....which was followed upwards until a gate was reached. After passing through the gate turn left and upwards towards the trees .

Gaining height the estuary of the River Kent comes into view and in the distance the faint outline of Whitbarrow.

Higher still and the railway viaduct is in full view. There is a bit of movement on it as workmen do the preparatory work for a 16 week shutdown.

A look back to Haverbracks and Beetham Fell, home to the Fairy Steps.

Almost at the top of Red Hills now and a hazy view across the estuary to Grange over Sands and Hampsfell.

It's a lovely sunny and quite warm day, just a pity about the visibility.

This is one of my favourite views. On a clear day it is magical.

We made our way from Red Hills towards the summit.

Edith at the summit trig point.

A wee bit blurry but not too bad for 28x zoom and hand-held.

The summit seat.

From the summit we made our way to the view point.

Looking over New Barns to Grange.

From the viewpoint we started our descent to Heathwaite

A look back as we reach the Arnside - Arnside Tower bridleway which we crossed to enter Heathwaite.

A look back up Heathwaite which will be at its best in May/June when the orchids will be out.

Passing by Hollins Farm at Far Arnside.....

......where on a fine, sunny day it was nice to see the kids playing out.

A familiar Lakeland sight. Think he was on a winter break at Far Arnside.

A look back to Hollins Farm and Heathwaite as we make our way across to Holgates Caravan & Camping site.

Looking into the sun towards Silverdale.

Approaching the caravan park.

A glance back to the Knott.

On entering the park we turned left along one of the roads for a while before taking a way-marked route to a lane to Arnside Tower

The southern, scree slopes of Arnside Knott.

Arnside Tower....It is a Pele Tower, or more properly a Tower House. In the Middle Ages, whenever the English King’s attention was distracted, the Scots lost no opportunity of invading northern England. Castles and Pele Towers were constructed to provide protection, and in north-west England between the River Lune and the Scottish border over one hundred were built. Peles were smaller, less well fortified, then castles. They were intended to counter lightly armed raiders rather than to withstand a siege by a properly equipped army. Arnside Tower was built by the De Broughton family around 1340. It was damaged by fire in 1602, but was rebuilt and survived intact until 1690. In 1815 it was sold to Daniel Wilson of Dallam. In 1884 one corner fell in a great storm. Much of it is still standing, although it is gradually disintegrating. Unfortunately, little or nothing is being done to halt the process of decay.

Arnside Knott over Arnside Tower farm.

And finally.....just a short walk back to the car.

Next Walk:      28th March 2011 - Lake District - School Knott & Fell Foot

Last Walk:      24th March 2011 - Lake District - Great Langdale from Elterwater

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