Nearby Walks
It is impossible not to recommend a couple of walks as wandering on foot is, in our view, the simplest and best way to enjoy our local area.
Kendal and the River Kent Walk
A typically English walk through delightful countryside following the River Kent to Sedgwick and back. Route: Starting in Kendal from the bridge on Romney Road, join the footpath at the entrance to Ford Terrace and head south on the west bank of the river via Scroggs Woods to Hawes Bridge. From Hawes Bridge continue on the same side of the river towards Sedgwick until you reach a footbridge across the river. Continue along this side of the river until you meet Nannypie Lane. Turn right up the lane for a quick refuelling stop at Low Sizergh Barn tearoom before retracing your steps back to the footbridge. Cross the river and head north back to Kendal on the opposite riverbank. At Kendal the footpath brings you out on Natland Road. Continue along Natland Road towards the town centre to come back to your starting point at Romney Bridge.
Stately Homes Walk
A pretty countryside walk taking you past historic Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall. 7miles (approx. 3 hours) Start the walk at Helsington Church.
With the church on your left follow the track to the gate at the end signed Holeslack Farm. Continue through the farm buildings and follow the footpath to Sizergh Castle, which you will see in the distance. At the Castle go through the gate, straight on through the car park and follow exit signs. Just before the cattle grid, turn right through the kissing gate and follow the wall on the left. At the end of the field go through 2 more kissing gates in close succession, taking you down past a wood on your left. The next kissing gate is in the lower left-hand corner of this field and leads to a track; bear left and follow the track down to a minor road. Turn left, and at the next junction go through a tunnel under the main road. Follow the sign to Low Sizergh Barn Farmshop and Tearoom. After your refreshments, continue down Nannypie Lane to the river Kent and turn right then left to follow the river downstream. Cross the bridge over the A590 and enter Levens Park to the right, following notices through the park to Levens Bridge and Levens Hall. Return to Helsington Church via Levens village and Brigsteer Wood. For map and full directions see below.
The Fairtrade Way: Arnside to Kendal
13 miles (Ordnance Survey map OL7) On this route, walkers are encouraged to use Fairtrade food, drinks and cafes serving Fairtrade products when they are walking.
Start at Arnside Pier at 456788. Turn upstream along the pavement towards the viaduct. Follow the pavement away from the coast and just after the railway station turn left under the railway bridge and follow the B5282 towards Milnthorpe until you get to Storth. Here you turn inland on the first road in the village at 474804.
After 100 metres you come to a cross road. Go straight across to the corner at 477804. Turn left and look immediately on your right for a path into the wood. Follow this for 0.5 miles and emerge on to a minor road at 485800. Turn left almost immediately on the track to Haverbrack. At the T-junction you emerge to a view downhill. Go through the wall and drop downhill to the road leading to Dallam Tower. Do not follow the road but take the gate into the Deer Park and head uphill towards the Tumulus at 493808.
Opposite the church, head north-east at 494805 on the minor road (Haverflatts Lane) to the junction at 501822. Turn north-west on Kirkgate Lane. At the bend at 499826, take the footpath under the dismantled railway to emerge briefly at the A6. Turn right (north) through the village of Heversham and follow this for 1 mile along pavement until you meet the A6 at 496846. Keep going north to Leven’s Hall bridge (496852). Cross the bridge and turn right (north-east) into the grounds of Levens Park. Follow the way marked path through the grounds.
Pass through the wall on the stone steps at 501861 and then immediately right parallel to the wall. This brings you to a minor road at 504865. Pass through the gate and turn right. This looks like a cul-de-sac but it passes under the A591 at 507864. Almost immediately on the right is the Force Falls Salmon Leap. Follow this minor road (Force Lane) to the bridge at 507869. Enjoy the view both sides of the bridge but do not cross it. Continue ahead for 50m until a road goes off to the right at 506870. Take this (keeping the river on your right) until you come to the next T-junction at 508873.
(Stop off at Low Sizergh Barn Tearooms) Turn left up Nannypie and after 0.5 miles take a narrow right lane just before the road bridge. This takes you to Low Sizergh Barn (501875). Retrace the route 0.7 miles to 508873). Follow the road with the river on your right and after 200 metres take the footbridge (509875) across the river. Turn left (north) keeping the river on your left. At 511880 turn right away from the river and head uphill going NE on the footpath. After 200 metres you are on the disused canal tow path at 514882. Follow the old tow path for 0.6 miles until the next road at 513891.
Turn left onto the road and zig-zag down towards the bridge at 511891. The river passes through an area of limestone here and makes some interesting scenery. Cross the river and take the footpath immediately right after the bridge. Continue along the path to the weir (513905). Cross the road to enter Scrogg’s Wood and take the river path behind the works all the way into Kendal. On this last section you will cross the A65 at 517916 and meet it again at 517919. The walk ends at the Quaker Meeting House.
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