Sunday 5th August, Three Halls and a Castle

A 19 mile walk from Kendal

Those fine folks in the East Lancashire LDWA are always up to something. If you’re at a loose and and fancy a walk in good company you can rely on the East Lancs Lot to have something on the go.

Today’s walk, ably planned and led by Dave & Alma Walsh, looked to be a good ‘un. Dave & Alma’s walks have a good reputation, they’re well researched and reccied so I wasn’t surprised to find a good turn-out of 19 walkers plus two doggies…who also walked.

LDWA walks always set off on time, so at bang on 9am the party of walkers were led out of the Scout Scar (free!) car park for the day’s adventures.

It was a warm morning and I was glad to be wearing shorts. Although there was a light mist the views were good, Morecambe Bay could be seen in the distance.

Our route took us along Scout Scar, that although not high, was quite dramatic in it’s appearance and the views it afforded.

Scout Scar, with Morecambe Bay in the distance. Honest. 

Once off the scar we were led past Helsington Church, a building that dates back to 1726….so it’s quite old:

First stop of the day was at Sizergh Castle, home of the Strickland family for a year or two. Now a National Trust property, although the castle is still inhabited – presumably by the Stricklands. Rumour is that the lady of the house isn’t too happy with the way the N.T. run the show, so every evening she re-arranges the furniture when the National Trust staff go home – leaving them to put it back next day!

 

Just one of the Sizergh Castle buildings

After our brief elevenses stop we continued to the village of Levens and then through the grounds of Levens Hall to follow the River Kent.

The River Kent flowing through Levens Park 

It was around here that a flock of Bagot Goats were spotted. These are now a rare breed and are regarded as an endangered species.

Bagot Goats. Funny looking things.

Our leaders pushed us on, determined to squeeze as much interest out of this route as possible, they succeeded. Well they succeeded in knackering me anyway!

Tiny Hincaster Hall was next, blink and you miss it:

 

Leading her followers under the West Coast mainline, Alma refused to let up…..

….leading us on footpaths crossing cultivated fields:

…..to pass yet another hall, Sedgwick Hall, sadly now divided into private apartments:

Clouds had begun gathering and the sound of not too distant thunder had the group looking anxiously skywards, it was really too hot to be wearing waterproofs.

Back onto the banks of the River Kent we skirted Kendal to get back to Scout Scar.

Bridge over the River Kent

The River Kent, close to Kendal

 

Scary thunder clouds

Climbing back up onto Scout Scar

Our last port of call before descending to the car park was ‘The Mushroom’, a renovated shelter on top of Scout Scar. The air was quite clear so views were good, it was possible to pick out the more familiar hills of the Lake District.

The Mushroom and the last sit down of the walk

We arrived back at the cars at just after 4pm, not bad going for a 19 mile walk in Cumbria…although admittedly it wasn’t a mountainous route! This was a Good Thing, my hill fitness is sadly lacking.

Thanks to Dave & Alma Walsh for putting this walk on, it was a grand day out!

More pictures of the day are here.

Oh, and it never did rain!