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.

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This walk could be started from a number of places along the route but we decided on Helsington Church which was the highest point along the route. It was grand starting a walk by walking downhill but we were left with most of the uphill walking right at the end which didn't particularly suit me but that's by the by.

Route Map

Looking across the wonderful Lyth Valley from our parking spot near Helsington Church. Coincidentally this was our highest spot of the day.

Again across the valley to Whitbarrow with Arnside Knott to the left as set of along the lane southwards.

We followed the lane past Holeslack Farm

A short distance past the farmhouse we took a path down through the garlic filled woods.

Emerging from the woods we could see the buildings of Sizergh Castle away to our left...

....but first we had to make a short diversion for Dr Doolittle to have a chat to these youngsters in a nearby field....

....followed by a further diversion when she noticed this pair.

" Watching you, watching me. "

Eventually we reached Sizergh. I went to the reception desk and showed a pleasant lady our National Trust membership cards and asked if it was OK to have a look around the gardens to which I received an affirmative with no charge.

No entry to this section as we make our way.....

.....to the wildfowl pond.

This all but took my breath away. I wasn't expecting to see a Lady's Slipper Orchid on full show even here. Although past its best it still had 12 flower heads in place.....I must remember to come next year....earlier!!

The Herbaceous border..

Part of the rock garden.

Sizergh Castle across the lake. The castle is now owned by the National Trust, although a member of the Strickland family, who have been in possession of the house since 1239, still occupies their ancestral home. The Sizergh Estate was granted to Gervase Deincourt, by Henry II, the first Plantagenet king in the 1170's. On the marriage of Gervase's great-granddaughter, the heiress Elizabeth Deincourt to Sir William de Stirkeland in 1239, the estate passed into the hands of the Stricklands. A well documented history of the Strickland family exists in the Sizergh muniments.

A look back to the castle with the Dutch Garden to the right.

The Great Barn.

A look back as we make our way down the driveway to the estate.

The Castle & Grounds are well worth a visit and are particularly beautiful in springtime.

The Strickland Arms at the entrance if you fancy a drink.....we however have only just started.

We are now walking down quiet lanes on our way to Levens Park. Here we can see The Helm, partly owned by The Friends of the Lake District in the distance. It makes a lovely short walk particularly with little ones.

Looking over to Wellheads Hill

Looking down on the River Kent as we cross Sedgwick Bridge.

A very quiet A590 as we cross it before entering Levens Park.

Our walk took us down through Levens Park. I had hoped to see the Deer and Goats but today there wasn't a sign of either.

The peaceful River Kent near Levens Bridge.

We popped into Levens Hall for a refreshment stop.

Levens Bridge

The cafe isn't particularly cheap but it is good and you don't find many cafes with oak panelled walls, flagstoned floors and a huge fireplace with a datestone of 156summat.....I can't remember everything!!

The River Kent from Levens Bridge.

From Levens Hall our route took us across the fields to the village of Levens with views over to Arnside Knott...

....and from the bridge over the A590 to Barrow a view of Whitbarrow.

Levens Village straight ahead and lots of company for Dr Doolittle.

Across the Lyth Valley to Whitbarrow as we walk through Levens.

♪♪♪ There may be showers ahead ♪♪♪

Fortunately it was moving away from us as we passed by Lane End farm

We left the lane here. There are two paths once through the gate. the one head to Sizergh Castle and for us to the left and payback time as we have to do the uphill bit at the end.

A look over to Sizergh Fell...

...and back to Arnside Knott

The showers have left the Conistons.

Back to the car now....

.....as the showers pass over Great Langdale.

Next Walk:      10th June 2011 - North Lancashire - A Thurnham Circular.

Last Walk:       6th June 2011 - Yorkshire Dales - From Muker to Keld via Swaledale Meadows.

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