A walk through the rich landscapes of Lancashire’s Lune Valley

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Through pastures farmed by Norse settlers toriverside meadows and low-lying villages of theLune and Wenning valleys, this is a walk of finelandscapes. You will catch glimpses of MorecambeBay and the mountains of South Cumbria as well asthe prospect of Ingleborough from several vantagepoints. For the most part it is gently undulatingcountryside, but there are steep climbs; theexceptional views are more than recompense.

The Lunesdale Walk also offers a chance to discoverone of the finest paths in Roeburndale, where lichensand mosses festoon the woodland. There you will finda greenness not often seen, the pure waters of theriver attract the darting kingfisher beneathoverhanging boughs whilst the dipper dips and bobsamongst the rocks beneath. Within twenty minuteswalk you will be on the high moorland, where acidic,peaty soils support heather and cotton grass.

The flora and fauna match the diversity of the land.The dales, woodlands and lanes are blessed with awealth of wild flowers. The pastures are mainly givenover to sheep farming, but from the pockets ofwoodland and parkland emerge wandering deer. Onthe higher ground hen harrier, buzzard and kestrelsquarter the skies above fox and rabbits in the fields.

By the riversides you will probably see the heron, andon the shingle beaches the wagtails and sandpiper.In Winter swans, ducks and coots take refuge in thebackwaters of the Lune, flocks of geese rest on theflood plain and fieldfare and redwing forage for food.Curlew are common on moorland and riverside.

The Lunesdale Walk introduces walkers to anexceptional part of the Forest of Bowland Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty. It is special and unspoilt.Please enjoy the Lunesdale countryside, its peace,quiet and in places solitude, but also look after it.Then, others can enjoy equally its splendour in yearsto come.

How to use this bookletThe Lunesdale Walk traces a figure of eight,crossing at Loyn Bridge, about half a milenorth of Hornby. It is waymarked throughout its37 mile (59kms) length with dedicated waymark discs (ayellow arrow and walk name on a greenbackground).You can pick up the Walk at any pointalong its length, but the most easilyaccessible locations are at Carnforth, Hornbyand Wennington. It’s ideal for a long weekendbreak (for the whole route) or for linear and circular daywalks.

The Lune Valley is well served by both local bus and railservices which may be used to access the LunesdaleWalk at various points along its route, meaning you canenjoy a day’s walk without the need for a car!

CARNFORTH

HORNBY

WENNINGTON

ARKHOLME

WRAY

See more detailed map on pages 10-11

LUNESDALEW

ALKLUNE

SDAL

EW

ALK The

LunesdaleWalk

Winter floods above Loyn Bridge

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Discover the heritage, landscape and wildlife ofLancashire’s Lune Valley

Here are a few suggestions to help you make themost of the Lunesdale Walk.

Three Day Break:● Day 1 - Carnforth to Melling (Sections 1 & 2,

12 miles/19 kms). Overnight stop at Melling.

● Day 2 - Melling to Hornby via Wennington(Sections 3 & 4, 11 miles/17.5kms). Overnightstop at Hornby.

● Day 3 - Hornby to Carnforth (Sections 5-7,14 miles/22.5kms).

Two Day Break:● Day 1 - catch the train from Carnforth to

Wennington. Pick up the Walk at Wenningtonstation (Point 20 in Section 3) and follow it toWray or Hornby (accommodation available in boththese places).

● Day 2 - complete the walk from your overnightstop back to Carnforth.

Linear One Day Walks:● Catch a bus or train from Lancaster to

Wennington (Point 20 in Section 3). Walk toHornby via Roeburndale and catch a bus back toLancaster from Hornby (8.5 miles/14kms).

● Catch a bus or train from Lancaster to Carnforth.Walk to Loyn Bridge (Points 1-13, Sections 1 &2). Cut off to Hornby for a bus back to Lancaster(10.5 miles/17kms).

● Catch a bus from Lancaster to Arkholme (BayHorse Inn). Walk back to Carnforth following thedirections in Sections 6 & 7 (10 miles/16kms).

Circular One Day Walk:● Catch a bus or train to Wennington. Pick up the

Walk at Point 20 (Section 3) and walk through toLoyn Bridge (Point 37, Section 5) via the Wraycut-off (after Point 25). At Loyn Bridge skip backin the text to Point 14 (Section 2) and walk backto Wennington via Melling (Points 14-20).10 miles/16kms.

Wennington Station - gateway to Lunesdale

For convenience the whole route has been split upinto seven sections, based on starting and finishing atCarnforth railway station.

Each of these sections are featured on a double pagespread in this booklet. Where appropriate, cut-offs tothe nearest village (for buses, trains, refreshmentsand accommodation) are highlighted in the text andon the strip-map on the right-hand page of eachsection.

The sections are - Pages

1 Carnforth - Swarthdale 4-5(5 miles/8 kms)

2 Swarthdale - Melling 6-7(7 miles/11kms)

3 Melling - Roeburndale via Wennington 8-9(5 miles/8 kms)

4 Roeburndale - Hornby via Wray 12-13(6 miles/9.5 kms)

5 Hornby - Arkholme 14-15(4 miles/6.5 kms)

6 Arkholme - Priest Hutton 16-17(6 miles/9.5 kms)

7 Priest Hutton - Carnforth 18-19(4 miles/6.5 kms)

All distances indicated in this booklet areapproximate.

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Carnforth and The Lancaster CanalCarnforth owes its existence to the smelting of ironore and as a major railway junction, hence the sizeof the existing station. The railway arrived in the1840s, bringing prosperity to the town. The openingof the Lancaster Canal in 1797, in contrast, was farless important. The railway station gained celluloidimmortality as the location for the classic 1945 film‘Brief Encounter’ starring Trevor Howard and CeliaJohnson. The canal towpath can be followed as apleasant walk all the way to Kendal (about 19 miles).

Refreshments: There are several inns and shops inthe town.

Buses and Trains: There are regular daily buses andtrains to Lancaster. There is also a useful train link toWennington and Leeds.

1 From Carnforth Railway Station entrance walk upto the junction of Market Street and Haws Hillwhere the Royal Station Hotel stands on thecorner. Keep ahead up Market Street, crossingthe busy Scotland Road, then continuing upMarket Street as it rises to a junction with NorthRoad by The Shovel Inn, a hostelry dating from1750. Go left along North Road and just beforeRedmayne Drive, opposite Hodgson's Croft, turnright down a track to Hodgson’s Bridge.

2 Just before the bridge, steps on the right drop tothe towpath of the Lancaster Canal. Go left, underthe bridge and walk out of Carnforth for nearly3km. As you approach the hamlet ofCapernwray you will see at first the railway,then houses on the right-hand bank. Go underthe next bridge, then climb left up to a road andgo left over the bridge, bearing right to walkbetween farm buildings to a junction.

CapernwrayCapernwray was at one time a junction for a shortarm of the Lancaster Canal to Webber Quay andlimestone quarries; it was affectionately known as‘Lovers Creek’. The aqueduct at Capernwray,spanning the River Keer, was built by the famouscanal engineer John Rennie. In medieval times theManor of Capernwray was rented from LordMonteagle of Hornby for “1 lb of cummin a year”.

1 Carnforth - Swarthdale

Hodgson’s Bridge

3 Turn left here, passing Capernwray Old Hall andthen the entrance to Old Hall Caravan Park.Approximately 50 metres beyond there is a gateon the right. Go through it and then keep aheadto cross a stile and now slightly right, easingaway from the Swarth Brook to climb up to adrive. Go left, and within a few metres, right tocross a stile.

4 Follow the boundary of Kellet Park Wood, whichcurves in a semi-circle to a stile. Cross this andhead slightly right up the hillside, where there aregood views behind of South Lakeland. Cross thefencing by the gate/stile at the next boundary,and proceed ahead to the remnants of a woodrich in lichens and mosses. Keep to the left handedge of the wood, then bear right to drop down toa step stile.

5 Keep ahead now through a large field wherehedges and walls have been grubbed. Aim for thehouses at Over Kellet. Climb a stile by a barredgate and keep ahead to reach a stile leading toan old track. Follow this for over 100 metres andcut left off this track, climb the stile opposite andloop around with the fenced path to a trackbetween houses leading to Kellet Road.

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Points 1 to 81 Carnforth to Swarthdale

5 miles, 8 km.

Map not to scale.

Over KelletTake time to walk down to the village green, wherein earlier centuries villagers would have tradedgoods at a market cross. There are a number offine houses in the village, dating mainly from the17th and 18th century, including the handsome HallGarth, dating from the 1820s, across the green. StCuthbert’s church stands above the village on theroad to Nether Kellet, built on the site of a Saxonchapel where St Cuthbert’s coffin was restedduring the 9th century whilst secreted from Vikingraiders.

Refreshments: The Eagle’s Head pub and villagestores.

Buses: To Carnforth, Kirkby Lonsdale and Lancasterfrom the Green

6 Go right for 20 metres along the road, and beforethe Wesleyan chapel dating from 1835, go leftalong a drive by a small green. Just past thedwelling there's a gap where a kissing gateleads to a path. This leads through to Greenways.Go right and immediately left to follow the roadto a junction. Opposite is a narrow path betweenhouses.

7 This short path rises sharply up to a prominentwaymark post. Go ahead on a well-worn fieldpath leading to a stile either side of a track.Once over, proceed slightly right through an oldslit stile and descending slowly into the secludedshallow Swarthdale. The next stile, which is notimmediately noticeable, stands to the right of asolitary oak beyond the pylons.

Cross it and head slightly right once more acrossa low-lying pasture to another stile, this timesituated to the left of a tree. Go over it and keepahead, nearing a wood on the left as you rise upto a road.

8 Turn left to walk along the road, passing thejunction with Swarthdale Road. Fifty metresbeyond the junction, go right over a stile andclimb up the field to the top right hand corner.Take a break to admire the view of Cumbrian hillsbehind you.

2 3

4

5

67

89

OverKellet

Hodgson'sBridge

Carnforth

To Lancaster

Station

Capernwray

Old Hall

KelletParkWood

track

River Keer

M601

M6

Swarthdale

M6

Lancaster Canal

1

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IngleboroughThroughout the walk you will catch glimpses of thedistant, distinct weathered upland mass ofIngleborough, one of the famous ‘Three Peaks’ ofthe Yorkshire Dales National Park. This high groundwas the capital of the Brigantes, a tribe who foughtferociously against the Roman invasion. It is hard toimagine that before the Normans arrived, much ofthe uplands hereabouts would have been covered inforest!

9 On reaching the road go left and next right alonga track through woodland to Sidegarth. Pass by abarn and go right but then be certain to go leftover a stile, down steps and alongside a gardenboundary to a small gate. Once through, keepahead in this high pasture, but all eyes will be leftfor here is an exceptional view of Ingleborough inthe distance and the Lune Valley in theforeground.

10 Cross a stile and cut the corner to a giant of astile in a tall hedge. Proceed to a stile andfootbridge and then climb up the hillside aimingslightly right to a stile in the next boundary. Youcan see Aughton church. Head slightly right,descending the field to cross a stile. Once over,keep ahead to cross a stone step stile by a gateonto a lane.

AughtonThis hamlet is no more than a few houses andfarmsteads dotting the hillside between the 15thcentury church and the River Lune, where in pasttimes basket makers cropped local willows to boiland store for peeling and weaving later in the year.It was also well known for its Pudding Festival; amassive plum pudding was boiled after the willowpreparation, but only once every 21 years. Thetradition died out in 1887 but was revived in theearly 1970s, with Aughton having its very ownPudding Queen!

11 Go right along the lane to a junction inapproximately 50 metres, where you turn left,down to a cross-roads. There's a seat here torest awhile or continue to descend into the LuneValley (sign-posted as a cul-de-sac). This dropsmore steeply to Aughton Barns. Go left over astile to walk ahead through river meadows.

The Lune Valley RambleStretching from Lancaster to Kirkby Lonsdale, thisis a popular linear walk which allows discovery ofone of the loveliest of British rivers, said to havebeen named by the Celts after a health-giving godnamed Lon.

12 You have now joined the ‘Lune Valley Ramble’.Cross the next stile and walk upstream alongsidethe river. Opposite is the outline of ClaughtonBrick Works and above, on Caton Moor, a windfarm. The path continues along the river and runsthrough Great Close Wood, a superb section butone which requires care for despite themaintenance of stiles and steps, erosion by floodwaters is a perennial problem. Pass by the ox-bow lake where, in winter, wildfowl like to gather.Exit the woods by a stile and continue aheadalong a fence to pass to the rear of a house.

13 Go right on the track, by the cattle-grid and thenleft as it rises towards a house. However, yourway is to the right, through a barred gate into theflood plain for a second time. Head slightly rightto cross a stile; here you re-gain the riverbank.There's a good view of Hornby village and castleas you turn left to walk upstream. Pass wellbelow the dwelling ‘Sandbeds’ which is to yourleft, and cross another stile here before enteringwoodland.

Follow the river valley up to Loyn Bridge wherethere is a stone step stile up to the road. Go rightto cross the bridge.

● Cut off to HornbyTo cut the walk short here, bear right off thebridge and walk up the road to the junction, heregoing ahead to Hornby (for buses, refreshmentand accommodation).

2 Swarthdale - Loyn Bridge - Melling

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River

Lune

16

15

14

13

12

1110

9

Melling

Castle Stede

Gressingham LoynBridge

Sandbeds

Cut off to Hornby(via road)

River

Wenning

Sidegarth

Aughton

A683

GreatCloseWood

Points 9 to 152 Swarthdale to Melling via Loyn Bridge

7 miles, 11 km.

Train on Melling Viaduct

Map not to scale.

14 Immediately over the bridge go through a gapstile by a gate on the left. Follow theembankment as it curves away from the river.You get a first glimpse of the village of Melling toyour right. As you approach a line of trees crossa concrete track, then head slightly left to atapering corner where you will find a stone slabbridge across the brook.

15 Cross the bridge and go over the stile. Nowproceed ahead by an old streambed, then acrossto a stile in a hedge. Cross a second stile in thenext pasture and once over continue through agroup of trees. Arkholme can be seen across theriver in the distance. Once you have cleared thetrees, bear right as indicated by the waymarks.There is a hedge to your right and a waterchannel soon appears on your left. Cross twostiles where cattle take water and keep companywith the fence on the right, ducking beneath theboughs of alders, which line the channel here.You soon reach a barred gate and kissing gatebefore the railway embankment, leading to atrack (right) to the main A683 road at Melling.

MellingMelling is nestled above the flood plain of theLune. Its medieval church is situated by theearthworks of a castle motte dating from the reignof King Stephen (13th century). One antiquariansuggests that it might be a communal burial ofplague victims. The churchyard is a veritabletreasure of social history for there are many oldgravestones surviving. Melling Hall, now a hoteland inn, dates from early Georgian times andstands amid a group of fine 17th and 18th centurystone cottages. There’s also a tea room next to thevillage hall just south of the church.

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16 Turn right if visiting Melling, otherwise cross theroad, and turn left towards Kirkby Lonsdale. Afterthe railway bridge turn right to pass by old stationcottages, at the top of the road look for a gate onthe left. Proceed across two fields and throughtwo barred gates. In the next field continue alongthe fence to your left. Cross a stile and bearslightly right through a narrower pasture to crossanother stile. Climb up to a barred gate and oncethrough bear slightly left towards a barn. Go overa stone step stile and walk ahead to a barredgate and bridleway where you turn right forWrayton.

17 The bridleway soon joins a road in the hamlet ofWrayton. Proceed ahead through the hamlet untilyou see the entrance on the left to Wrayton Halland then a cottage. Opposite (right) is a stile.Cross this to walk through a corner plot wheregeese and ducks reside. Squeeze through a gapstile to climb the hillside in earnest. At thesummit you will see a small piece of wall withstone step stile, which is a curious remnant forthe remainder of the boundary is fence or hedge.

18 There's a knoll to your left crowned with conifers,but your way is ahead in the direction of the barn,or more precisely towards a summit just to theright of two barns. The latter point becomesapparent as you reach the crest of the hill, whereyou dip down sharply to a plank bridge across astream and then some dexterity is required toclimb a stone stile. Rise up the hillside with theboundary to your left to pass the isolated barns.

19 Just beyond Catgill Barn, cross a stone stile andkeep ahead to another stile, go across a trackand cross a third stile. Proceed ahead again,keeping company with the fence on your right.Climb a stile and rise to the summit and therebeneath you are the castellations of WenningtonHall. Head down the hill to the right of the Hall tomeet a fence and woodland. Your way is over thesecond ‘V’ stile and through a pocket of wood toan old gate. At the road go left to walk into thevillage of Wennington.

WenningtonWennington Hall dates originally from the 14thcentury, but the building you see today is aVictorian reconstruction, now used as a school. The village green would have been the site of bothmarkets and fairs in past centuries and an oldpound can be seen on the left near to the river,where stray animals would have been secured. The former Punch Bowl Inn, overlooking the green,is long closed. The narrow bridge over the RiverWenning marks the boundary of the old NormanLordship of Lonsdale.

Refreshments: A short walk along the B6480towards Wray brings you to the Bridge Inn (pub food,real ales and accommodation), featured in a paintingby JMW Turner.

Buses and Trains from Wennington: There is a dailybus service to Hornby and Lancaster, and a daily trainservice to Carnforth, Lancaster and Leeds.

20 At the junction in the village centre, go right topass the entrance to Wennington Railway Station.Turn next left up Old Moor Road. The road climbsout of the village, bending to the right and thenleft. Beforehand, there's a stile on the right. Crossthis to enter a field. Head slightly left to a barredgate. On passing through this you join a drivewhich leads ahead to Overends Farm.

21 Pass by the farmhouse, then go next rightthrough the farmyard (not ahead) Pass throughthe gate ahead into a field, and turn left todescend a field. There's a stile by a gate. Crossthis and aim for a stone step stile, just to the leftof an old barn, which leads into Coat BankCoppice. A clear path leads through the wood toexit at a barred gate into a high level pasture.Keep ahead to a stile, which exits on Park Lane.The landmark to look for is an old school housein the next field.

3 Melling - Wennington - Roeburndale

22 Cross the lane and walk in the direction of thedwelling, but then ease left to follow theboundary up the hillside to a stile flanked by hollybushes near the summit. Proceed ahead again todescend through three fields and over threestiles. In the fourth field, keep ahead as thehedge line dips right to Tatham Park Wood. In thenext boundary cross a stile, which is difficult tosee at first, and step across a small stonebridge.

23 Climb ahead up the bank, aiming for a topcorner where you go through a barredgate. Proceed ahead to the next gate andnow aim for the left-hand farm of thetwo you can see. There's a stile andsignpost just to the right of thefarmhouse. Go left on Trinket Lane, but thenturn right through the farmyard as sign-posted.

24 Exit to the rear of the buildings into a field andproceed ahead down the hillside to a small gateabove Gamblesholme Farm. The path zig zagsdown to a wall and gateway. Go left through it,and walk ahead along the track by the farmbuildings. The track bends right and then left. Itthen runs ahead to the road at HindburnBridge.

25 Go right to pass over the bridge, and then climba stile ahead where a track rises to the left.Walk up to the steps and enter the woods bythe stile. This wood is riddled with paths sotake care to go right, across a gully, and rise upthe hillside to the right. The path is not alwaysclear during the winter when there's a heavyleaf fall but the important landmark to look foris a kissing gate in the top boundary. Gothrough it and walk ahead through a long fieldto a lane.

● Cut off to WrayThose wishing to take refreshment in Wray, tocatch a bus or to follow a shorter walk toHornby go right along the road to descend to ajunction in Wray. Go left to the bridge and jointhe main route at point 32.

Page 9

Points 16 to 253 Melling to Roeburndale via Wennington

5 miles, 8 km.

16

18

17

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

A683 toKirkby Lonsdale

Mealbank

TathamParkWood

Gamblesholme Hindburn Bridge

Catgill Barn

Wrayton

Melling

Coat BankCoppice

Overends Farm

Wennington Hall

StationWennington

B6480

Cut off to Wray(via road)

River Hindburn

Map not to scale.

CARNFORTH

Capernwray

Priest Hutton

Aughton

Henridding

Swarthdale

Gunnerthwaite

12

3

50

4

5

6Over Kellet7

89

10

11

12

13

41

42

43

4445

46

47

48

49

Page 10

4039

34

Arkholme

Melling

Alcock'sFarm

WENNINGTON

Roeburndale

Wray

Wrayton

HORNBY

14Loyn Bridge

15

16

1718

19

20

21

22

23

24 25

26

27

2829

30

31

32

333536

37

38

Page 11

For a wider perspective of the LuneValley area the relevant OrdnanceSurvey maps are:- Landranger 97(Kendal to Morecambe); OutdoorLeisure 41 (Forest of Bowland andRibblesdale) and Pathfinder sheets628 & 637.

Due to the wide variety of wildlifeand domestic stock along the route,please leave your dog at home, orkeep on a short lead at all times.

Bus RouteLunesdale Walk

Key:

TheLunesdaleWalk

TheLunesdaleWalk

For details of accommodation andlocal public transport in the LuneValley, ask for a copy of theLunesdale Accommodation & PublicTransport Guide.

Numbers 1 to 50 refer to points inmain text of booklet.

Page 12

30 Head slightly left over the moor to a narrowclough. Dip down to cross the stream then climbup. Head for Back Farm where you go through agate. On the track go right up to the road. Turnright and walk down Moor Lane through theflanks of Whit Moor, dropping steeply at times.Pass by a junction on the right for Wray andcontinue to a point where the road bends anddips just after Cold Park Wood. Cross a stile onthe right over fencing just beyond a little bridge.

31 Head slightly left across the field away from thestream to align yourself with the fencing on theleft. Go ahead through the gate and onwardthrough pasture to another. Once through, keep tothe fence line on the left to dip down to agateway and now follow the slightly raised greentrack (presumably an old hedge line) towards thewood. Cross a double stile and keep ahead alongNeddy Park Wood. At the far end continue to thefield corner, go over a wall stile and, wall on yourleft, walk to the gate at the corner to join a road.Drop down the hillside into Wray.

WrayAt one time Wray was a local textile centre with silkmills, tanners and coopers, clog and basket makers,taking advantage of the fast flowing waters of theRoeburn and Wenning. The sublime mix of 17thcentury yeoman’s houses with cottages and alleysdating from the 18th century, give this villageconsiderable character, as do the cobbles andcorbelled doorways. You will pass by a house whichonce belonged to Captain Richard Pooley, who in1684, funded one of the earliest endowed schoolsin Britain. The village lost an inn and severalcottages in 1967, washed away by a flash floodnear the bridge the Walk now passes.

Refreshments: The George and Dragon Inn (turn leftalong the village road; pub food and real ales). Alsovillage post office and stores.

Buses from Wray: There are buses, daily, to Hornby,Ingleton and Lancaster. On Sundays, the bus runsthrough to Kirkby Lonsdale. Be sure to check you areat the right stop as the route forks in the village.

26 Turn left along the lane. It descends to a pointwhere a closed hedge track cuts off right. Godown this old track, signposted to Alcock’s Farm.It drops to a ford and a footbridge across thesparkling waters of the Hunt’s Gill Beck. The pathclimbs slightly right up the bank to a gate byAlcock’s Farm.

27 Turn left and follow this very quiet lane as it risesfor approximately 500 metres. When you see abarn ahead, as the road bends slightly to the left,go over a wall stile here on the right as sign-posted. Your way is ahead through rough ground,proceeding over another wall stile. Keep ahead,proceeding through the remnant of a hedge andover a trickle of stream, then bear slightly rightbefore reaching another gate. Keep ahead on araised green strip.

28 This leads to a gate and into Roeburndale.The sunken path descends through woodland to agate and then angles right to a long bridge acrossthe River Roeburn. Climb up steps, then bear lefton a track. At the junction keep ahead to climbout of the valley on a zig-zag track, but at thenext junction keep left to pass to the left of adwelling where you cross a stile by a barred gate.

RoeburndaleThe path passes through Outhwaite Wood, which ispart of the Roeburndale Site of Special ScientificInterest. There is an optional loop here, throughwhat must be one of the loveliest corners of theForest of Bowland Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty. To follow it, look for the waymark on yourleft just after the gate referred to at the start ofdirection 28 (above). The waymarked route loopsround back to the main walk near the footbridge.

29 In the field, head slightly right along the boundaryfence until you reach a stile. Go over this andclimb up the steep valley side by way of steps toa stile. Go ahead to cross another, then bear rightto walk up to farm buildings. Keep to the left ofthe buildings to go through a gate/stile.

4 Roeburndale - Hornby

Page 13

Points 26 to 344 Roeburndale to Hornby

6 miles, 9.5 km.

Map not to scale.

Ingleborough from Roeburndale

32 In Wray, bear right to approach a bridge. Thebridge across the river at Wray is the mosttranquil of spots and here you drop left to theriverside. This soon rises up to a kissinggate and then ahead to a gap stile.Follow the riverside through fieldsto a building and kissing gatebefore stepping up to Meal BankBridge. Cross the road (not thebridge) with care and gothrough a gap in the barrierdown to a bridleway.

33 This pleasant old route, Back Lane,winds past a disused sewerage worksand through to a rough crossroads. Turnright here and trace the field-edge pathto the riverbank. Go through the kissinggate and walk downstream to another,pass through this and turn left along agreen lane to meet the old railway. Passthrough the kissing gates and turn left.

34 Keep the wall on your left to reach a stile.A few yards after this bear right and headacross the meadows, crossing four stiles andheading in line for the towers of HornbyCastle, rising above the trees. Turn left througha muddy gateway to join a concreted trackwhich leads alongside the River Wenning to afarmyard. The route passes to the left of a barnand then ahead to the main road in Hornby.

River Wenning

31

32

33

26

27

28

29

30

34

ColdParkWood

A683to Lancaster

Old works

B6480

Neddy ParkWood

Back Farm

Riv

er R

oebu

rn

Hunt'sGill Beck

RiverHindburn

Alcock'sFarm

Outhwaite Wood

Wray

Hornby

Roeburndale

Old railway

Loop Walk

Page 14

Hornby

The Lune Valley was at one time a major routethrough to Scotland and the North East. It retaineda strong coaching trade throughout the 18thcentury and the Castle Hotel was one of theprincipal stabling points. Across the road is theparish church of St Margaret, dating from medievaltimes, but much restored in the 19th century andwith gargoyles prominent on the unusual octagonaltower.

The main street is lined by Georgian dwellings;beside Lamb’s garage is a fine Victorian drinkingfountain where a crest depicts a cat with a rat in itsmouth. This is said to refer to Mr Pudsey Dawson,the one time owner of Hornby Castle, bringing in alarge number of cats to clear the castle of a plagueof rats in the middle of the 19th century.

From the bridge over the Wenning there’s a fineview of Hornby Castle, an imposing crenellateddwelling dating mainly from the 19th centuryalthough the peel tower dates partly from the 13thand 16th centuries. It is not open to the public.North of the village, above Loyn Bridge, is the site ofan earlier motte and bailey castle known as CastleStede, of which substantial earthworks remain.

Refreshments: The Castle Hotel and The Royal Oakpublic houses. There are also a post office, villagestore, butchers and craft shop.

Buses: Hornby is a key place for starting or finishingwalks in the area. There is a daily (including eveningsand Sundays) bus service to Ingleton, KirkbyLonsdale, and Lancaster. The bus stop on the mainstreet in Hornby for Kirkby Lonsdale via Melling orArkholme is outside The Wenning Stores. The stop forLancaster is opposite by The Institute. Buses toIngleton stop nearby opposite Lambs Garage andreturn buses from Ingleton and Wray to Lancasterstop at the corner by the garage.

35 The next stage of the walk begins at the bridgeover the River Wenning in the village of Hornby. Atthe church end of the bridge go left before adwelling along a path which soon bends right torun along the riverside. It leads to a stone stepstile. Climb this and enter a large riversidepasture. Keep near to the River Wenning, linedwith alders, as it approaches its confluence withthe River Lune. This is a prime location to watchoystercatcher, Shellduck and Canada Geese.

36 Now follow the Lune upstream by willow fringedbanks, passing to the left of a bluff where PrioryFarm stands gauntly on the site of the medievalPriory of St Wilfred. The path rises up the nextbluff and from here is the best view you will getof the ancient Loyn Bridge. The path dips again toa stile.

37 The notice here is important. If the water ishigh, you should not cross this stile, but insteadclimb up the bank on your right to the fencing tothe right of a dwelling. Cross a stile here andproceed ahead to the road. Turn left and walkdown to and cross Loyn Bridge. If the watersare low proceed over the stile and walk throughthe wood to pass beneath the arch of the bridgeinto the next meadow. Rise up right to themedieval Loyn Bridge and cross it.

5 Hornby - Loyn Bridge - Arkholme

Hornby Castle from the old railway

Page 15

Points 35 to 395 Hornby to Arkholme via Loyn Bridge

4 miles, 6.5 km.

38 Go through a gateway on the right sign-posted toArkholme. You have now rejoined the ‘Lune ValleyRamble’. Proceed through a gate and from hereto Arkholme the path runs near to the riversideand is clear on the ground.Do not attempt thissection if the river is high. As you approach thevillage you will first see a white house to yourleft. Cross a stile and keep ahead to a trackwhere you bear left to join a road. Here you leavethe ‘Lune Valley Ramble’. The road leads up tothe main road, passing by a curious mixture ofsublime 17th and 18th century dwellings andmodern buildings.

ArkholmeLike many of the villages in the valley, Arkholmeowes its existence to Norse settlers. The namemeans the ‘shielings’ or hill pastures and whenwalking the next section through to Locka Lane, itsappropriateness becomes all the more apparent.One long street climbs up from the river crossing,where there was once a ferry, to a crossroads. Youwill pass by the entrance to the tiny church of StJohn the Baptist, built in the 14th century, adjacentto the earthworks of a 12th century motte andbailey castle in a quarter known as Chapel Hill.There’s a substantial base of a medieval cross to beseen in the churchyard.

Refreshments: The village stores and The Bay Horsepublic house (food, real ales) stand by the crossroads.Also an organic food shop.

Buses: Daily service to Kirkby Lonsdale andLancaster. Stops are near the crossroads.

39 At the crossroads go left and cross the road bythe garage. Keep ahead along a pavement, and atthe corner, go right on a footpath signposted toLocka Lane.

PrioryFarm

ThrushGill

Wood

LoynBridge

B6254 toKirkby Lonsdale

B6254 toCarnforth

Castle Stede

A683to

KirkbyLonsdale

Hornby

Arkholme

Alternativeroute

to Wray

A683to Lancaster

GarageShop

Castle

37

38

35

36

39

CastleMound

Rive

r Lune

River Wenning

Loyn Bridge

Map not to scale.

Page 16

40 Walk ahead to the corner, and through a gap intothe next field. Keep ahead with a hedge on theleft. As you approach the corner, go over a stileto cross sides and proceed ahead with the hedgenow on your right. This runs down to a footbridgeand stile. Climb up to a stile in fencing to the leftof a pocket of woodland. Keep ahead to a stilebeneath a holly bush. Go over the stile and goleft to climb the next stile, this time beneaththree pine trees. Bear slightly right up the field tocross a step stile in a wall and proceed ahead ina similar direction to cross the next stile. Gostraight ahead across the next field to afootbridge. Walk to the field corner and then goleft along the wall to a gate leading to LockaLane.

41 Go right to pass Red Load Farm. The road risesto a corner where you climb a step stile (right)into a field. Head down the hillside to cross astile, and then bear slightly right to a stone gapstile. Once over you keep left along a wall andwooded clough at first. Pass by an old boundarystone and then bear right down the hillside to aford and gate. Once through, turn left and followa track towards Gunnerthwaite Farm. Beforereaching the gateway, opposite a walled garden,go right along a hedge to a barred gate. Headacross the next field to a second gate whichexits onto a road by the entrance drive to BrownEdge Farm.

42 Go left and immediately right to cross a stile intoa field, following a concessionary path avoidingthe farmyard. The path skirts to the left of farmbuildings, over a stile and bridge, then a secondstile to the rear of the buildings. Turn left tofollow the hedge, which runs parallel to a streamto cross a stile. Go left at the footbridge andcontinue ahead to a kissing gate and across therailway line. Take care, watch out for trains.Climb steps up to the road.

43 Turn right to pass Hill Top Farm, which seems acurious name because it stands at the bottom ofthe hillside as you are about to find out. After thebarn go left up to a stile by a barred gate. Climbup the hillside, bearing slightly left to a stile.Continue to climb, keeping to the right of thewaterworks building. It really is a climb so take abreather to admire the views and then continueslightly right through old gateposts and up toNew Close Coppice.

44 Join a track and go right. This winds its way upto a junction. Bear right here, and follow the trackto a road. You will see Henridding Farm to yourleft. Go left and first left down the approach tothe farm. However, your way is to the right over astile into woodland. Follow the path alongside thewall to reach a stone step stile. Once over followthe perimeter wall on your left to another stonestep stile, this time to the right of a barred gate.Proceed ahead to go through a gate and bear leftto a third gate and waymarked post which issituated to the rear of the farm.

45 Go right and walk ahead to cross a ladder stile atthe next boundary and keep to the right to crossthe next stile. Continue ahead with the wall toyour left and as it curves left, bear right asindicated by the finger post. The path takes youcloser to the wall descending on your left to agate beyond an electric telegraph pole. You willsee Dalton Old Hall Farm ahead.

6 Arkholme - Priest Hutton

Ingleborough - a sublime horizon to the northeast

A winter’s ramble in Lunesdale

Page 17

Points 40 to 476 Arkholme to Priest Hutton

6 miles, 9.5 km.

46 Go through the gate to approach thefarm, choosing the middle gateway ona track between a wall and hedge. Atthe fork keep left to pass by thehouse on your left and a barnbelow on the right. The trackleads ahead through two gates tothe rear of a farm. It then runssouth of the farm to a junction witha gate to the right.

47 Ignore this as you enter the next field and keepahead on a less clear path as the track rises upthe hillside. Your way is ahead through a gate justto the right of a small woodland and proceedahead to join a hedgerow where you cross a stile.Continue ahead to reach a wall and hedge. Jointhese to descend for approximately 50 metresand cross a stile. Walk through a pocket ofwoodland and then head over the field to a stile,which leads to a lane.

Go left, and at the road, turn right to walk into thevillage of Priest Hutton.

40

39

41

42

43

44

4546

47

48

Arkholme

PriestHutton

Dalton Old Hall

NewCloseCoppice

GunnerthwaiteFarm

Red Load Farm

Locka Lane

B6245 toKirkbyLonsdale

B6245 toCarnforth

Keer Holme

Brown Edge Farm

Henridding Farm

Hill Top Farm

Map not to scale.

Page 18

Priest HuttonThis is a quiet settlement, now without inn or shop.Matthew Hutton was born here in 1529, during hisecclesiastical career he became the Bishop ofDurham (1589) and Archbishop of York (1596).

note: The route between Priest Hutton & Capernwrayis marked by waymarked disks showing“Cinderbarrow Walks”. Please follow thesebetween points 48 & 50.

48 At the village green turn left and left at the nextjunction. Climb out of the village to pass BeechHouse Farm. Before a barn on the right, go rightalong a track to squeeze through a narrow gapstile by a gate into a field. Keep company withthe hedge on the left to go through a gap stile inthe corner and proceed ahead. The pathdescends to meet an old green track, which runsinto a dry valley. You will see a house ahead butlook for a stile on the right leading back into afield. Once over, go left to the corner where youcross another stile onto a lawn. Go left to thedrive then right to the road.

49 Opposite, cross a stile and walk down the narrowenclosure to two footbridges and a rather largeladder stile. A little path runs by a stream to akissing gate and from here you go left under therailway bridge. Follow the track over a stonebridge and through the field. It bends slightly leftand then right to a stile by the higher of the twogates. Cross it and walk onward to a footbridgeand stile, then climb the hillside to walk closer tothe railway. Cross a stile by a gate and the trackahead leads to a road by the Lancaster Canal.Turn left, then right at the junction to go over thecanal bridge here at Capernwray.

7 Priest Hutton - Carnforth

Reflections on the Lancaster Canal

50 Drop down the steps on the right to the towpathand then turn right for the return last leg toCarnforth. Follow the towpath (canal on your left)back to Carnforth, passing beneath the M6motorway. When you reach the outskirts of thetown leave the canal at the first bridge,Hodgson’s Bridge, to walk up the rough lane toNorth Road. Go left and walk back to the junctionwith Market Street where you bear right intotown. Cross Scotland Road and keep ahead downMarket Street to Carnforth Railway Station.

Page 19

Points 48 to 507 Priest Hutton to Carnforth

4 miles, 6.5 km.

For part of its length the Lunesdale Walk passesthrough the Forest of Bowland Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty (AONB). Equal in landscape status to aNational Park, the AONB was designated in 1964 tofacilitate the coordinated protection of the fragilelandscapes of heather moorland, secluded woodedvalleys, unpolluted watercourses and grassy fellswhich characterise the area.

The AONB is managed to ensure that a balancebetween environment, ecology, economic and socialwell being is maintained for the benefit of bothcurrent and future generations.The AONB is managed by a partnership of localauthorities, Government agencies, the locallandowning & farming community and other interestgroups.

For details contact the Bowland Visitor Centre atBeacon Fell Country Park, telephone 01995 640557.

Map not to scale.

River Keer

48

49

50

PriestHutton

Capernwray

CarnforthStation

M601

M6

M6Hodgson'sBridge

A6

Aqueduct

Lan

cast

er C

anal

Further InformationFor details of local bus service times in the LuneValley telephone 0870 608 2608.

For details of rail services on the Lancaster -Carnforth - Wennington - Leeds line telephone 0345 484950.

For details of local accommodation (and bookings)telephone Lancaster Tourist Information Centre01524 32878.

Please note:The route of the Lunesdale Walk is subject to constant upgrading andimprovement. At times the route may vary from the informationsupplied in this booklet and occasionally stiles and gates etc. may bealtered or changed as part of this ongoing maintenance programme.

LANCASTERCITY COUNCIL

Reprinted December 1999

This publication was produced by Simon Holt Marketing Servicesfor Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council and the Lune Valley Initiative with support from

the North West Development Agency and the European Community Regional Development Fund.

This publication was produced by Simon Holt Marketing Servicesfor Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council and the Lune Valley Initiative with support from

the North West Development Agency and the European Community Regional Development Fund.