25/11/2011
| Walk: | Cark, Sand Gate Marsh, Ravenstown, Outerthwaite, Kents Bank and Grange-over-Sands. | ||
| Start Point: | Cark Railway Station | Grid Reference: | SD 365 762 |
| Distance: | 8.4 miles | Ascent: | 470 feet |
| Time: | 4.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Very windy with showers of rain but with sunshine later in the day. Warm for November. | ||
| Comments: | The object of this walk was to leave the
car at home and let the train take the strain. Also a linear walk
along part of the Cumbria Coastal Way could be achieved this way.
Unfortunately, because not all trains stop at Cark, it was necessary
to leave ones bed before the crack of a November dawn – but it was
worth the effort. Arriving at Cark Station at before ten the Rail Carders walked to the centre of the village (where there are toilets) to follow the River Eea to Sand Gate Marsh and the sea. The next part of the walk was along a sea shore track which left the group exposed to a very strong wind straight from the Irish Sea together with rain that appeared to be horizontal. Fortunately, in order to short circuit the Cumbria Coastal Way (CCW), the route took them inland on to quiet and sheltered country lanes to rejoin the CCW at near to Ravenstown. On the way the Rail Carders passed the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Company bakery and shop. Unfortunately they did not get the chance to sample any of the products. From the bakery the CCW heads east along quiet country lanes. Along the lanes could be seen remnants of World War Two air field buildings and an air raid shelter near to Cark Airfield. Rather than go around Humphrey Head the CCW takes a short ascent and descent to the east sea shore from where Arnside and Silverdale can be seen. The path then follows the shore line to pass Wyke Farm. At this point the path is treacherous because of unstable wet ground where one can go knee deep or more in to the smelly mud. The Rail Carders found that the best way to continue was to stoop under tree branches next to a wall where the ground was reasonably firm. From Wyke Farm the Rail Carders then followed the CCW under a railway and across a half dozen or so waterlogged fields to ascend towards Allithwaite before turning right along a lane and then following the road down to Kents Bank Station. Kents Bank Station has a fine sheltered waiting room and this provided shelter for lunch. From Kents Bank the CCW virtually follows the railway track towards Grange–over-Sands passing Guides Farm on the way (Home of the Queens Guide for crossing Morecambe Bay). Unfortunately part of the CCW was flooded on the outskirts of Grange and because no one was wearing chest high waders a short deviation had to be made. Arriving at Grange-over-Sands in the afternoon sunshine the Rail Carders found time to partake of tea and cakes at a café before catching a train home. Travelling time from Preston to Cark: 54 mins; cost: £7.65 return with Senior Rail Card |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Rain threatens at Cark
Three bedraggled ponies - plus one shy one
Alas - no free samples of pudding at Flookburgh
A view of Robin Haw from the Cumbria Coastal Way
A tower above Kirkhead near Kents Bank
The same tower bathed in sunshine
One of the C.C.W. signs seen on route
A wet climb over the back of Humphrey Head
A view of Arnside Knott from the Cumbria Coastal Way at Wyke Farm, Humphrey Head
Pam survived the treacherous boggy ground near Wyke Farm
A flooded gateway on route
Mother hen and brood
The River Kent estuary
A submerged section of the Cumbria Coastal Way
Four young ladies approaching Grange on the Cumbria Coastal Way
The Cumbria Coastal Way at Grange-over-Sands - but where are the sands?
Patterns of Nature
A pond in the gardens at Grange-over-Sands