GLW2214 : In The Queen's Footsteps?

Saturday 3rd December 2022

You’d think that after fifty years I would know all the hills around Windermere and Bowness.  Orrest Head to the north, School Knott and Grandsire to the southwest, Scout Hill, Rulbutts Hill and Rosthwaite Heights to the south.  But there is one hill I had never visited.  I had heard mention of it, indeed had seen it marked on the map on the east side of the A592 near Miller Ground.  In fact I think we nearly sought it out one day when in the Birthwaite Road area.  But never had I been there.

Not surprisingly really.  It’s not where I thought it was.  The OS map is misleading. Queen Adelaide’s Hill is actually on the other side of the A592, its features partly obscured by parking and toilets symbols.  Once that truth had dawned on us, a Great (very) Little Walk was called for.  I discovered, on-line, a leaflet published by the Windermere & Bowness Civic Society describing just such a walk.

Rather than pay an exorbitant amount to park in the suggested but empty car park, we used the free roadside parking a little higher up Rayrigg Road.  This meant leaving the Hill to the end of the walk which, if anything, was a bonus.  We took the Millerground path down by the stream (Wynlass Beck) to emerge on the lake shore by the 17th century building, Low Millerground.  Here there is a splendid view up the lake and over to the Langdale hills with Crinkle Crags and Bowfell particularly prominent.  At least they are on a fine, clear day like today.

A path heads south along the lake shore, passing several jetties.  At one is a hut that once was a changing room for The Windermere Bathing Pool.  That exists no more but one lass was unperturbedly preparing herself to take to the water.

Further along is a large flat rock which, once upon a time, carried a plaque commemorating the disembarkment in 1840 of the Dowager Queen Adeleide, widow of King William IV and Queen Victoria’s aunt.  

From here, we followed the route presumably taken by Her Majesty to the summit of the small hill formerly known as Rayrigg Bank but subsequently renamed in her honour.  

Were we following in her footsteps up this short but steep climb?  I suspect not as by this time she was in her late 40s and not in good health.  I am sure, however, that like us, she found it a fine view point, not just of the Langdale hills .....

.....but also the sweep round to the east as far as Ill Bell and the view south down the lake.

From there it was a short descent to the car followed by the inevitable drive to the Lakeland Limited store for coffee and cake.  Well, someone has to!

Don, Saturday 3rd December 2022

GLW2214 : 1.2 miles, 181 feet

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