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WALK 3

Wath to Kelleth

Start	Wath (NY 684 049)
Distance	4 miles (6.4km)
Time	1¾hr
Terrain	Field paths and quiet lanes
Height gain	105m (344ft)
Maps	Explorer OL19 – Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
Refreshments	Lune Spring Garden Centre café, Newbiggin-on-Lune
Toilets	None
Parking	Roadside parking at start

Set in a wide valley between Great Asby Scar and the northern extremities of the Howgills, the upper reaches of the Lune’s valley provide lush grazing for cattle and sheep. The main road commandeers the base of the valley, following the embankment built for the Stainmore Railway. However, set further back, field paths and peaceful lanes invite relaxed rambling, with fine views to the wider backdrop of hills. This walk links the hamlets of Kelleth and Wath, both founded as farming settlements.

The Stainmore Railway ran between Darlington and Tebay and was completed in 1861. A strategic east–west route, the line was built by the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway to transport Durham coke to the steelworks at Furness, and then return with high quality hematite needed for steel production on the Tees. Crossing the Pennines through the Stainmore Gap, the railway’s summit at 457m (1370ft) was the highest of any English main line and, being a particularly scenic route, it helped popularise the Lancashire seaside resorts as a destination for those in the north-east. However, the line remained predominantly used for freight, and after the demise of the Barrow steel industry in 1961 it was closed and the track taken up.

Join the minor lane, which burrows beneath the A685 bypass at Wath, and follow it south towards Bowderdale and Scar Sykes. At a fork take the Bowderdale branch to the right. Cross the stream at Bowderdale Foot and carry on along the lane to the farm at Long Gill. Passing through the gate, swing left in front of the farmhouse and then right through more gates beside the buildings and garden. Entering the field behind, go half-right to the foot of a gully. Veer left through a gate and walk on, with a fence now on your left. Approaching the far side of the second field, bear right and leave over a bridge onto a track. Follow it left to Flakebridge Farm.

Passing the corner of the 18th-century farmhouse, take a gate on the right into a small yard. Walk ahead through a second gate, entering the field beyond by yet another gate. Head away beside the wall towards the next farm, Cotegill.

Walk through the yard to reach a lane and go forward past the old farmhouse. Later reaching a junction, turn right to the main road. Cross to a gate beside the house opposite and pick up a grass track that winds through a second gate and leads down to a footbridge spanning the River Lune. A hollow path takes the way uphill to meet a lane at the edge of Kelleth.

Turn right through the village, passing the attractive 17th-century Kelleth Old Hall. Until 1978 it remained in the hands of a single family, the Whiteheads, who had been associated with George Fox, the founder of the Quaker Movement.

Kelleth Old Hall

At the far end of the village, fork right through a gate along a track signed to Wath. Passing through a couple of gates at the end, keep ahead and continue across the fields towards a tall barn. It was built into the slope of the hill so that its upper hayloft could be more easily filled to feed cattle, which were over-wintered in the stalls below. Having passed above a wood bear left, gaining height to a stile in the next wall. Keep going above Potlands Farm, eventually leaving the fields at Wath. Walk out through the farmyard to the lane and go right, crossing the Lune to return to the start.