| Middleton Fell - A walk from Barbon - Nr Kirkby Lonsdale - 11th May 2008 | |
| Our walk today starts from the small
village of Barbon, just off the A683 about 3 miles north
of Kirkby Lonsdale and culminates at Middleton Head a few
miles further up the road towards Sedbergh. I had met Gerry at Middleton Head where he had left his car in the lay-by near the Head Pub, we had then driven the few miles back to Barbon and parked alongside the road opposite St Bartholomew's church - seen here in the picture. |
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| The weather was glorious as we took the first left after the church and walked up the drive towards Barbon Manor. |  |
| After a few hundred metres we left the drive and followed the path north across the field, passing the bluebells of Ellers wood. |  |
| At the end of the wood we passed through a gate and headed diagonally northeast up through the field to reach a stile leading out onto open access land where we join a path climbing east to Eskholme Pike. |  |
| Looking toward Eskholme from the stile at the top of the field. | |
| After a short climb we reach Eskholme
Pike at 300m. The village of Barbon and the route we had taken past Ellers wood can be seen. |
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| We are now climbing steadily, first east
then northeast until we reach another cairn marking our
route. I wonder who placed the sheeps skull on top of the cairn............ Our next objective can be seen in the distance - Castle Knott |
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| Castle Knott 538m. After a brief respite we head off northeast again first descending approx 50m into a depression then climbing back up to join a wall at about 575m. |
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| Looking back from Castle Knott | |
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| Following the wall up for around 0.5k we
arrive at Calf Top our highest point of the day at 609m. By now the the heat was tremendous, it was one of the hottest days we had had so far this year and the whole summit area was plagued by midges - needless to say we didn't hang around here for too long! |
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| A thunder storm was brewing in the nearby
valley of Dentdale and was slowly rumbling its way toward
us as we hurriedly followed the path over Barkin Top
towards Combe Scar, then turning northwest down Long Bank
and on until we finally reached the farm at Fellside. Walking through the farm pasture we behold this strange sight - A sheep with a sunvisor - answers on a postcard please! |
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| We take the wrong turning at Fellside and
head towards Hollins! (should have stayed on the open access land!) Not to worry we soon muddle our way through and reach the gate leading into another bluebell wood. |
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| It is then but a short stride to the end
of our walk at Middleton Head. Tired walkers may well take a well deserved pint or two here, but time was pressing if we were to get back to Barbon then onto Kirkby Lonsdale before the tea shops shut! I must just say that from a small annex on the side of the bungalow opposite the church in Barbon. Mr Williamson sells home made jams, marmalades and chutneys - I shall definately be back for some more of that orange and lemon marmalade, it was delicious! Another great walk! Distance approx 9miles / 14.5km |
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