Across the Lots.
After our confrontation with the car park attendant, sorted by flashing our RSPB membership cards, we set off, not to watch the birds, but in search of the wells in the parish of Silverdale, that delightful scattered village. Martin had the instructions, Carol, Keith and I just followed on. Thankfully he was an expert guide and his write-up here has a map of our route.
This is limestone country but where this is underlaid by non-porous rock water will collect either as a surface ‘pond’ or seep out of the layer as a spring. The past inhabitants of Silverdale utilised this for collecting water in wells and tanks. A piped supply from the Thirlmere Aqueduct didn’t arrive until 1938.
Here is a selection of today’s photos. I would need longer to sort out our route which I will do in the future and gladly repeat the walk with my mates.
Bank’s Well.
Dogslack Well.
Walkers’ traffic lights. Cross at green.
C15th Arnside Tower.
Well hidden Elmslack Well.
The muddy cove – go back, go back.
The more evident Woodwell.
This way, honest.
Burton Well – the last on the circuit.
An excellent morning’s walk in good company.
That muddy cove looks familiar to me – is it close to Gibraltar Farm camp site?
The one near the campsite is Jack Scout Cove. This one is simply The Cove.farther north. Too muddy to walk on.
What grade would you give that climb? Did you go to the top by easier means and then ab down to suss out the holds first?
The conditions were against us – wet and damp. I tried several ways, all extreme, before backing off and going the easy way round. I blamed my knee for the inadequacy. They carried on without me, but I caught up on the golf course as they were searching for lost balls. Mine were certainly lacking.
Haha, nice one BC. Lucky that we sat around for a couple of hours waiting for you to regroup!
A novel focus for your walk.
I just followed on but have kept details for another trip with friends who think they know the area.