I took the day off work today with every intention of conquering Kentmere Pike, I was gutted, the morning greeted me with heavy rain, big drops of cold wet winter rain, after a week of sunshine with cold frosty mornings this morning was dank and horrible. I sank into the sofa with a mug of tea, a friend of mine always says "if in doubt brew up", he must live his life under a vail of uncertainty, he drinks an awful lot of tea. Things looked a little brighter after my brew (my mood not the weather), I decided to leave Kentmere Pike for another day and made preparations for a stroll through the woodland of Silverdale and Arnside.

My day started at the Heron Corn Mill, the rain had turned to heavy drizzle, I followed the bridleway leading from the northwest corner of the car park to reach a tarmac lane, left along the lane then right across the field to enter Beetham Fell Wood, on well marked paths I soon reached Whin Scar to be greeted by the first rays of winter sunshine, I descended through Underlaid Wood to reach Hazelslack, by way of field paths between Bramble and Gorse to reach Cold Well Lane, across the old salt pits then under the railway. I turned south (left) to reach and enter Middlebarrow Wood, the wood's been thinned out, the pine trees have been felled, you can look up and see the sky, I hope it stays this way. The path through Middlebarrow Wood lead me west, it was strange to see Arnside Tower looming above the trees, I carried on walking west before crossing the fields to make the ascent to Heathwaite, I'm now walking through Arnside Knott Wood hunting for the finger post that would direct me to New Barns via Copridding Wood. The tide was in when I reached New Barns, I wandered along the shore to Arnside, over the footbridge at Arnside Station to follow the old railway line to Sandside, by way of tarmac and shore paths I eventually reached the north entrance to Dallam Park, I followed the lane for half a mile before crossing the park land to descend back to the Heron Corn Mill.

Beetham, Arnside and the Coast.	back to list view route map
	Heading out from the Heron Corn Mill on a dull dank morning looking to the village of Beetham.
	Grey skies above the pine trees en route to Whin Scar.
	No views to photograph today, I had to make do with this little chap.
	Walking through Underlaid Wood the sun made a brief appearance.
	The corps road leading from Arnside to Beetham, now part of the Limestone Link Footpath.
	View through the woodland of Underlaid.
	Sunshine and shadows on a misty morning across the pastures above Hazelslack.
	Looking back to Underlaid Wood.
	How's this for a fine fellow.
	Views to Hazelslack Tower.
	A brooding sky above the Silverdale coast.
	Views from the ascent of Heathwaite.
	The spectacular sight of the Kent Viaduct spanning the estuary at Arnside.
	The salt marsh between Arnside and Sandside.
	Striding out on this fine footpath, what remains of the rail link between Arnside and Hincaster.
	Grey today Arnside Knott seen from Sandside.
	Seen down the Kent Estuary the white washed buildings of Sandside.
	The familiar silhouette of Whitbarrow Scar seen across the Bela Channel.
	The magnificent pile of Dallam Tower.
	A little bit of industry on the edge of Dallam Park, the paper mill at Beetham, on the far right the grey buildings of the Heron Corn Mill.
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