Sunday, 15th April 2012

Walk: Scout Scar, Helsington Church, Sizergh Castle, Berry Holme Farm, Shenstone and Bradleyfield.
Start Point: Quarry car park, Underbarrow Road Grid Reference: SD 488 923
Distance: 8.3 miles Ascent: 970 feet
Time: 5 hours    
Weather: Bright sunshine at the outset but clouding over later. A cool wind. Firm underfoot.
Comments: The sixteen walkers enjoyed spectacular views all round, including the Lake District Fells, Morecambe Bay, The Howgills and local vista. This made a change from a previous visit when visibility was zero and the wind blew one off ones feet. The deputy leader led the group south along Scout Scar to Helsington Church before continuing on to Sizergh Castle. Here the route headed northwards towards Berry Holme and then Shenstone before ascending over Bradleyfield to Hodgson’s Leap and then back to the car park.
Nature was pushing ahead with many trees and bushes bursting into leaf and the grass becoming lush for the sheep and cattle. A lone swallow was sighted near to Berry Holme. At one farm very young lambs were wrapped in cling film, probably to keep them warm and dry. It was suggested that they may be “Oven Ready”. NB. The path through Berry Holme is not well marked. To further complicate matters, what appears to be a track on the OL 7 map doesn’t exist on the ground between SD 495 890 and SD 495 892, which are points on two separate footpaths. The two paths are not linked.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

A first glimpse of the Lakeland Fells

 

Near to the viewpoint on Scout Scar

 

Something from outer space? - no, it's a viewpoint

 

A view over the Lythe Vally

 

Another view with Scout Scar to the right

 

Still on Scout Scar with Arnside Knott on the horizon

 

The plain of the Lythe Valley

 

A group of young ladies heading for Sizergh Castle

 

A glimpse of Sizergh Castle

 

A dry stone wall under repair

 

At the rear of Sizergh Castle

 

A nuthatch at Sizergh Castle

 

Passing near to Sizergh Castle

 

Scenery local to Sizergh Castle

 

The group wend their way along a woodland path . . .

 

with Cowslips on the wayside

 

Between High House and Lane Head at Shenstone

 

Horses en route near to a former race course

 

The last climb up to Hodgson's Leap at Bradleyfield

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