ROSTHWAITE FARM, ROSTHWAITE HEIGHTS & WINSTER HOUSE from WINSTER

 


Summary

Date - 1st September 2022 Distance - 4.5 miles
Ascent -
760 ft
Map - OL7
Start point - Parking at Lindeth Lane (SD 4147 9418)

 

Summits Achieved

No summits were reached on this walk

 

Preface

Southey and Tetley were huddled over the laptop. "What are you looking at pals?", asked Allen as he trotted into the room.

"The pictures Dad took on the last walk with Uncle Eric", replied Southey. "We will be able to make another story."

"That's good", said Allen. "It really was nice to climb to summits again, and see the superb views over Windermere to the fells and mountains."

"I am sure that Uncle Eric enjoyed doing some modest fells again", went on Tetley. Then picking up the iPad and after a few taps said, "there is a day down for another walk with Uncle Eric on Thursday."

"That will be great", cheered Southey. "I hope the weather gods are with us."

A few more taps with his paw and Tetley replied, "looks to be a mostly sunny and warm day but breezy at times."

"Do we need to come up with a suggestion", said Allen. "If so I will need tea and cake to get my brain into gear."

"Ha ha", laughed Tetley. "You don't need any excuse for tea and cakes, tea belly and cake stuffer."

And, as if by Allen's command Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric arrived with the flasks and cake tins.

"I'll get the mugs and plates", volunteered Southey. "Then I'll lend a paw helping you fill the mugs, Shaun."

"Thanks pal."

Taking a sip, Allen said, "ahh Ramblears tea. Just delicious. How are our stocks."

"Getting low", replied Little Eric. "We must remind Dad to get a supply when he goes to Armathwaite Hall."

Grizzly meanwhile had opened the cake tins. "So the selection today is chocolate caramel shortbread from Little Eric. I have made the blueberry slice."

"Two of my most favourites", cheered Southey who beat Allen to getting a piece of each.

"You two" laughed Tetley. "You are such characters. Never change pals."

"They are both absolutely scrumptious", said Allen after a few minutes.

"So I see", chuckled Grizzly. "You've had three of each. But glad you like them.

"What would we do without you and Little Eric", said Shaun. "Ace bakers the pair of you."

"And, not forgetting how good you are at making scones, Southey", went on Tetley.

Then our minds returned to walking. "It is really Uncle Eric's turn to suggest a walk", said Grizzly. "I recall he has a few in prospect. There is one climbing The Helm behind Kendal, and there is one from Winster that sounds really interesting."

"Well let's wait and see what happens when Dad and he chat on the phone", replied Shaun.

 

The Walk

The decision was to walk in the Winster valley, the walk having been published in the Westmorland Gazette on 7th November 2019.

As we set off Tetley said, "We have walked from Winster before, and started from the rough parking area beside Lindeth Lane. So I guess that is where we are starting today."

"Yes lad", replied Dad.

Arriving Uncle Eric was already there, and our pals Barnaby and Lee hopped out to say hello. They always come along to see Uncle Eric.

"Hi", called out Lee.

"Hello lads. Nice to see you."

Dad was soon ready and with us tucked in the rucksack off we went turning left into...

Shaun advised, "we are looking for a signpost opposite a house called Nineveh."

Soon we arrived there, Allen saying, "I don't see the signpost."

"There it is almost lost in the hedge", pointed Uncle Eric. Then he went on, "we take path down by the house."

Little Eric called out, "I like the ornate name sign. There is a squirrel, oak leaves and acorns."

The day was quite sunny and warm, so unsurprisingly Dad was in shorts. Initially the path was narrow and overgrown, so Dad had to be careful not to get stung by the nettles.

Then it was narrow by a wall with the beck to the left. "That's a lovely view", commented Southey.

Soon we reached the slab bridge that enabled us to cross the beck.

Onwards the path led through a tall kissing gate and continuing by a fence on the left to a junction.

"Which way?", asked Allen.

"Keep left along the narrow trod by the fence", instructed Shaun.

This brought us to another tall kissing gate by a three armed signpost.

We had come from the direction of the sign reading A5074 3/4m. Looking at the signpost, Grizzly said, "obviously we take the Public Way to Ghyll Head Road." This was along this wide stony track.

At the next junction, Shaun called out, "take the right fork."

This climbed to a junction with a path right to Rulbuts Hill. Turning our eyes to the left, Tetley shouted, "wow, what an amazing view and totally unexpected."

A panorama of our beloved Lakeland Fells, from the Coniston Fells round to the Crinkle Crags and Bowfell and Esk Pike, seen below.

Reluctantly we left this behind and followed the track to the extensive and beautifully kept Rosthwaite Farm.

Reading from the instructions Grizzly told us, "the name translates to 'the clearing where horses are kept'."

It is indeed an equine farm as evidenced by this wonderful sculpture we passed on approach.

To the left is this beautiful little tarn. "Lovely reflections", commented Little Eric.

"Look at that wonderful statue of a dog by the door", called out Allen.

The route now led along a tree lined track, seen here looking back.

At the end we climbed the stile by the padlocked gate and shortly crossed a small stream by a three-armed signpost.

Shaun was about to give further instructions, when Grizzly called out, "wow, that's a terrific view of the Langdale Pikes."

"Breathtaking", added Little Eric.

After marvelling at the view, Shaun was finally able to give his instructions. "We continue ahead on the Ghyll Head route to come to a fine oak tree."

Uncle Eric said, "the route is the path to the left, but first we should take the opportunity to go right the short way to the summit of Rosthwaite Heights.

"Oh my!", exclaimed Southey. "Yet another breathtaking view."

"Quite pal", agreed Tetley. "Once again the adage that you do not need to be on the highest fells to get wonderful views holds true."

Allen encapsulated what we could see. "An extensive view of Windermere, backed in a wide sweep by the Coniston Fells...

...Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike, Langdale Pikes, and Loughrigg."

Then following right he said, "Fairfield Horseshoe, Red Screes, Caudale Moor & Kentmere Fells. Fabulous!!

The at the summit is this substantial cairn and stone seat.

We met a lady with her two boxer dogs. She had walked up from their holiday home. She actually lives in the Ribble valley, and Dad said, "you will know of Elaine's Tearooms at Feizor."

"Oh yes. I have never been, but my parents live in Settle and they go regularly."

Dad replied, "So do I. Nearly every Monday. I have been going since 2009."

She told us one of the dogs is called Boris. Explaining, "he was born on the day Boris Johnson became Prime Minister."

We had noted that the seat is inscribed with '73 Richards Favourite Spot 04'. She explained, "Richard was the son of the owners of Rosthwaite Farm. Born in 1973 he died in 2004 from cancer, leaving a wife and baby of 18months!"

"That is so sad and tragic" said Dad.

So she went on her way, and Little Eric said, "perfect place to have our picture taken sitting on the seat."

Reluctantly we dragged ourselves away from the view and returned to the oak tree to follow the path opposite. This led through a kissing gate, where Grizzly called out, pointing right, "look seats for bears!"

Onwards an extensive board walk enabled crossing boggy areas...

...and finally brought us to Ghyll Head Road.

"Our route is actually left just before the road", advised Shaun, "but it is worth going to the road to see Ghyll Head Reservoir.

Later Grizzly looked this up and told us, "it was originally constructed to provide the water supply for the Windermere area, but is now only needed when supplies are low. It is private and access is exclusively for members of the Windermere Fishing Association."

Returning the short way we took the path narrow and rocky in places signed to Winster through Birkett Houses Allotment, first climbing then descending to a gate. Beyond the path continued through the bracken to a junction with a wide wide stony track.

"Ah the waymarked post is bear sized", commented Southey.

Shaun instructed, "it's left a few yards and then right on the wide stony track."

"We have been here before on the previous walk from Winster", said Tetley. "This track will take us down to Winster House."

Past the house, Southey said, "the view over the parkland will make a nice shot."

"We go left along this wide soil track", said Uncle Eric.

This led to a gate where keeping ahead it was through two further gates to then descend half right across the pasture to a gate in the bottom right corner.

"Look at the wavy wall over to the right", pointed Allen. "Reminds me of that on Lingmoor above Great Langdale."

Little Eric was looking to the left. "It seems that tree is literally growing out of the rock."

At the gate in the bottom corner, we went on ahead to then round the wood left onto a lane, where it was right to the A5074.

"That's a lovely typically English pastoral view towards High House Farm", commented Southey. "A picture is in order."

Allen said, "There are lots of sheep in that field, but as Dad has not taken any close-up pictures of sheep today, I consider that we have a sheep picture free story. "Yippee."

Along the lane we passed by this colourful hydrangea on the verge.

By the junction stands Winster Parish Room. A plaque indicated it was built by the people of the village in 1904.

Now all that remained was to walk carefully along the A5074 to the start.

"What a super walk", called out Grizzly.

"Quite", agreed Tetley, "and fabulous views too.!"

"Thank you so much for suggesting it Uncle Eric" added Shaun.

"You are welcome lads. Just glad you enjoyed it."

back

shopify analytics