Furness Way

FW07: Cartmel to Low Wood

Wednesday 18th May 2011

Whereas the previous stage, FW06, was largely on unfamiliar territory, a good deal of today's had been travelled before- see Cumbria Coastal Path which anticipated much of the second half of this walk some eighteen months ago.

Ian and Cynthia again met up with us, making the logistics much easier. We left their smart new car at Haverthwaite and Margaret drove us all to Cartmel Racecourse where we rejoined the route.

Looking back across the racecourse to Cartmel Priory

Across the racecourse we travelled and up into the woods, emerging to join the minor road, past a derelict house opposite a tarn and on to Howbarrow.

Desirable residence.....

..... with lake view

After this organic farm we continued onto the fell- How Barrow- from which there were splendid views of the Leven estuary.

How Barrow

The Leven estuary

We headed north, out of the wind just below the ridge, as far as Collkeld Wood where we turned south-west to Speel Bank at which point we joined the Cumbria Coastal Way.

The guide book was a bit ambiguous as to which side we should pass the tarn on Striber's Allotment but it didn't really matter and we arrived down at Grassgarth to be greeted by a stray cow.

There was a moment's confusion about the route until we realised that it had been changed in 1995 and the last revision of the guide book was 1994!

Stray calf

Team picture, High Striber's Wood

We had talked about taking lunch at Bigland Tarn but it was getting late (inevitable after a late start) so we opted to eat in High Striber's Wood instead. Two weeks earlier, this and all the other woods would have been a sea of bluebells but sadly they were now mostly past their best.

Bigland Tarn

After rounding Bigland Tarn, we made our way down through the woods to Low Wood.

The descent through the woods

Low Wood washing

More Low Wood washing

Building the well walls.....

At the Angler's Arms

..... and other developments at the old milll

The old mill is being renovated- so maybe it will soon be, once again, a place worth visiting.

After a look round the hamlet, complete with washing for Margaret, we crossed the river, thereby leaving the Furness Way, and returned to Haverthwaite to enjoy an earned beer outside the Angler's Arms.

Don, 18th May 2011

PS According to my Garmin, the bridge over the River Leven was at 83 feet below sea level! Something strange about that, I think!

Some more photos, taken by Ian: