Wednesday, 16 July 2025

 Day 4 of my Barrow to Barrowford walk

Levens to Killington lake

13.5miles 2000ft

Leaving Levens village heading for Levens Hall....
....crossing the A 590 to Barrow
....arriving at Levens Hall which has the reputation of having the best display of Topiary in the country.
Looking back to Levens bridge as I walked into the deer park....
There were plenty of deer around in the early morning
I then followed the river Kent towards Natland village
Crossing the river Kent....
....followed by the Lancaster canal which from Hincaster to Kendal is completely without water
Leaving the canal behind to walk into Natland....
....before climbing 'The Helm' which overlooks the outskirts of Kendal in the distance and....
....Natland below
....arriving at the trig point 607ft
Crossing the ridge before turning east to follow paths and country lanes through.....
....rolling hills....
....with views to the lake district fells....
....before climbing to another trig point which though unnamed has a height of 1096ft....
....affording views down to my destination of killington lake
Zooming in on the boating centre across the lake...
descending past a huge quarry....
....and crossing the M6 at junction 37
Walking down to the lake side....
....after meeting my lift back to Levens for my car.
Another  lovely day's walking in near perfect weather.
4 days walking completed has now brought me into  the Yorkshire dales where my next stop will be the village of Dent

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

 Day 3 Barrow to Barrowford Walk

Newby Bridge/Fell Foot to Levens

14miles 2000ft

Windermere from Fell Foot park...
....and again
Leaving the lakeside I began the climb up Gummers How 
Windermere as I neared the summit
Lakeside from the summit
Zooming in on the ferry landings
The river Leven where it flows out of Windermere
Zooming in one of the many boat houses
The summit trig point 1053ft with Morecambe bay behind
Walking east on Sour How lane with Lord's Seat on the horizon
Lord's seat ahead
Oversand school in the trees below, after climbing Lord's Seat
The summit plateau....
....and the summit cairn 1811ft
Continuing across the summit.... 
....to stop for lunch above Whitbarrow Scar with a view to the river Kent estuary....
....and the A590 to Barrow below
A section of Whitbarrow scar after descending....
Zooming in on the summit edge....
....before continuing on the path to Gilpin Bridge....
....and on to St John's church Levens...
....and my destination - the village shop!
Day 3 completed after a fantastic day's walking in beautiful sunshine all day!


Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Day 2 Barrow to Barrowford Walk 

Ulverston to Newby Bridge

15miles 1250ft

Setting off from the canal basin in Ulverston to....
....climb to the Hoad Monument, a tribute to Sir John Barrow. A native of Ulverston.... He was a founder member and key figure in the foundation of the Royal Geographical Society in 1830, which was to become the premier promoter of 19th century exploration. Barrow Strait, Barrow Sound and Barrow Point in the Arctic and Cape Barrow in the Antarctic were named in his honour
 Hoad hill in front of the monument affords great views over Ulverston and beyond
Ulverston town centre....
The river Leven estuary....
....and the railway viaduct that crosses it...spot the train?
The tide's out in Morecambe bay
I followed the river Leven upstream to the village of Greenodd where a footbridge crosses it
Walking on to the bridge....
....and continuing upstream to....
.....Haverthwaite where a steam railway goes to Lakeside, Windermere
....and again....
.....and right on cue here comes the train!
Continuing again, I came to the 'white water' at Backbarrow....
....where 3 canoeists were preparing to take on the rapids....
....and here they come...
passing below me as I stood on the bridge

I'm still wondering what happened to the 3rd one!!
Arriving here at Lakeside I was just in time for....
....the 12.30pm ferry to Fell Foot at the southern end of  the lake
As we sailed off to the other side of Windermere the lake steamer 'Swan' was just preparing to leave for its tour of the lake
Barely a 10min crossing and we arrived at Fell Foot with its Victorian 'cafe'
Time for my lunch where the river Leven leaves lake Windermere....
....with a good view up the lake to central fells of Lakeland....lunch finished I walked the final mile to
....Newby Bridge....Day 2 complete
Day 2 had proved to be another day full of interest and lovely scenery....and really grand day's walking