Grange to Cartmel and Cark

After several weeks of grey and damp conditions we finally have had a few days of sunny, but cold (!) weather. I had to take advantage of it to get in at least one walk.

I decided to avoid driving so took the train over to Grange over Sands for a walk I’d planned that would take me to Cark via Cartmel, where we’d stopped earlier in the year. From the train station in Grange I set off up the hill towards Eggerslack woods.

In the past, these old decidious woodlands – with Ash, Hazel, Sycamore, Birch, Larch and Yew – were coppiced to provide bobbins for the textile mills and wood for charcoal burning.

“Eggerslack” comes from the Norse word ‘eiger’ (which means ‘bore’, or incoming tide) and ‘slack’ highest point reached by the tide  – and this was the case before the railway embankment was built in 1857, when Grange became developed as a seaside resort.

I carried on through the woods and then passed through the stile onto Hampsfell

with it’s stretches of limestone pavement.

I soon approached the Hospice – a folly that the Pastor of Cartmel had built in 1846 “for the shelter and entertainment of travellers”.

On a clear day like today there were extensive views in every direction – over to the Coniston Fells

(here’s a close up)

The Eastern fells of the Lake District

Over to the howgill Fells, across Morecambe Bay (there’s Ingleborough in the distance)

I stopped for a brew and a bite to eat and then carried on along the fell. Looking back towards the Hospice

and then started to make my way down the hill to Cartmel

I walked through the pleasant, small village passing the Priory

through the main square

and across the Race Course.

Walking through the fields – the ground in the shadows was still frosty

There’s my next objective, the modest hill of Howbarrow

Reaching the summit

more magnificent views over very attractive countryside to the Lakeland Fells

and Morecambe Bay

After a rest to soak up the views I set of down the hill.

Looking back

Then I took the path through the woods

Looking over the fields to the Bay

There’s Hampsfell

I followed the path and the minor roads until I reached the small village of Cark

passing Cark Hall

I made my way through the village towards the train station. There was a little time before the train was due, so I walked a little further along the road to Flookburgh

then back to the train station. There’s a direct train from Barrow to Manchester airport every couple of hours which stops at Wigan North Western, so I didn’t need to change at Lancaster. That was handy on a cold day as there was no need to wait on a cold platform for the connection.

I grabbed a few shots from the train over Morecambe Bay as the sun started to set