Moor Divock, Helton, Whale, Askham & Heughscar Hill -
Friday 19 September 2014
Route
Roehead - Ketley Gate - Helton - Whale - Askham - Heughscar Hill - Roehead
Parking
At the end of the minor road at Roehead, approximately 3/4 mile south east of Pooley Bridge - Grid Ref NY479236 (Nearest Postcode is CA10 2LT)
Mileage
8.7 miles
Terrain
Grassy paths and farm tracks with some road walking along very quiet lanes
Weather
Mild & overcast with some sunny spells
Time Taken
3hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
1492ft (455m)
Wainwrights
1 Outlying Fell (Heughscar Hill)
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes - North Eastern Area
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Roehead - Ketley Gate - Helton - Whale - Askham - Heughscar Hill - Roehead
Parking
At the end of the minor road at Roehead, approximately 3/4 mile south east of Pooley Bridge - Grid Ref NY479236 (Nearest Postcode is CA10 2LT)
Mileage
8.7 miles
Terrain
Grassy paths and farm tracks with some road walking along very quiet lanes
Weather
Mild & overcast with some sunny spells
Time Taken
3hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
1492ft (455m)
Wainwrights
1 Outlying Fell (Heughscar Hill)
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes - North Eastern Area
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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Walk Description
The Car Parking Area at Roehead
Lovely grassy paths heading to Ketley Gate
The Cop Stone
Although the stone is solitary, it is thought that the Cop Stone was one of several at the margins of a ring cairn. In the 1880's there were records of at least 10 standing and recumbent stones nearby, but these have largely disappeared. The stone is 1.7m in height.
Although the stone is solitary, it is thought that the Cop Stone was one of several at the margins of a ring cairn. In the 1880's there were records of at least 10 standing and recumbent stones nearby, but these have largely disappeared. The stone is 1.7m in height.
Heltonhead Farm at Helton
"Sorry - I can't drink or bathe whilst people are watching - bugger off"
Leaving Helton and heading for Whale
The River Lowther
Ugly sheep
The tiny hamlet of Whale
Looking back to Helton from Whale
The delightful path from Whale to Askham through Low Deer Park plantation
This was a really delightful path through the plantation
At the fork we took the path to the left - the right hand fork leads to Lowther Castle
St Peter's Church, Askham
The church was built by Sir Robert Smirke who was working on the design for Lowther Castle and the foundation stone is dated 28th June 1832. Records show that a church dedicated to St Kentigern existed on the site in 1240 and remained until the present church was built.
The church was built by Sir Robert Smirke who was working on the design for Lowther Castle and the foundation stone is dated 28th June 1832. Records show that a church dedicated to St Kentigern existed on the site in 1240 and remained until the present church was built.
One of the two excellent pubs in Askham - had to stop of course
Lovely long bench in Askham
Askham Stores
... and the other pub in Askham (yes we did)
The route continues thorough the lovely village of Askham
Lowther Castle
The castle has an interesting background and was built between 1806 & 1814 for the First Earl of Lonsdale, William Lowther. Due to financial issues the castle closed in 1937 and during the Second Word War was utilised by a tank regiment. In the late 1940s the castles contents were removed and the roof was dismantled in 1957. After an initial £9 million restoration, the castle and some gardens opened for public visits in 2011, for the first time since 1938. In 2016, the Lowther family again began to manage the property in advance of the official reopening for the 2017 season. A report in October 2018, summarized the situation at that time as: "The part-demolished castle shell and the wrecked garden have been resurrected with impressive energy and conviction. Lowther is now once again one of the leading showplaces of Cumbria".
The castle has an interesting background and was built between 1806 & 1814 for the First Earl of Lonsdale, William Lowther. Due to financial issues the castle closed in 1937 and during the Second Word War was utilised by a tank regiment. In the late 1940s the castles contents were removed and the roof was dismantled in 1957. After an initial £9 million restoration, the castle and some gardens opened for public visits in 2011, for the first time since 1938. In 2016, the Lowther family again began to manage the property in advance of the official reopening for the 2017 season. A report in October 2018, summarized the situation at that time as: "The part-demolished castle shell and the wrecked garden have been resurrected with impressive energy and conviction. Lowther is now once again one of the leading showplaces of Cumbria".
Clearly Askham people take pride in their village's appearance
Ey up
Heading out of Askham towards Heughscar Hill
Angie & Fudge on the summit of Heughscar Hill
Heading back to Roehead