Hiking from Arnside on the northern edge of Morecombe Bay on a weekend organised by the Transpennine group of GOC. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the Arnside peninsular is an area of natural beauty but also an important bird area and has a number of sites of special scientific interest with rare plants, trees and insects including both northern and Mediterranean species in close proximity. My Father made many biology field trips here in the 1930s, I think staying at the same Youth Hostel where we were lodged.
Hiking downstream past Grubbins Wood towards Morecombe Bay on the mud flats exposed by the falling tide, we were passed by the Arnside Bore on Saturday morning; a few canoeists were surfing the incoming tidal wave of about a metre height roaring up the estuary of the river Kent. We enjoyed a fine view from Blackstone Point and lunch at Woodwell near Silverdale, just inside Lancashire. It was surprising to climb the low limestone cliff around Woodwell and emerge in to Mediterranean type woodland.
We enjoyed an afternoon picnic around the Arnside Tower, a Pele defensive tower dating from the mid fifteenth century, situated in a commanding position between Arnside and the pretty village of Silverdale.
The group returned along Bottom Lane then past Heathwaite over Arnside Knott (159 m.) giving a fine panoramic view of the Kent Estuary and distant ranges of the Lakeland Fells.
After a fine sunset and a frosty dawn, our hike on Sunday followed the high water line upstream towards Milnthorpe and the stately home of Dallam Tower, then along the banks of the River Bela, Corn Mill and the fine church at Beetham for lunch at Fairy Steps (117 m.), a limestone passage in a landscape of limestone terracing. A few steps along Cockshott Lane and then back to Arnside hostel over Arnside Knott.
We were really lucky with the weather and of course thanks to the guys at GOC who organised the weekend and led our walks.