EAST CHESHIRE RAMBLERS
VENTURING further afield, the East Cheshire Ramblers recently spent a weekend in the southern Lake District.
The first day was spent exploring the country to the west of Windermere.
It began with the short crossing of the lake on the chain ferry which gave views along the lake and of the other boats using the lake.
From the western shore it was just a short ascent to the viewing station at Claife, which has recently been restored by the National Trust. This is one of a number of stations established in the 18th century when visiting scenic areas of the country first became popular.
From the station the group climbed up the wooded hillside and walked across fields to the village of Far Sawrey. From there the route continued across Claife Heights with its delightful small tarns and reservoirs.
At the far end of Claife Heights the path wound through woodland and after many twists and turns brought the group to the summit of Latterbarrow, which provided great views during the lunch stop. The summit has an impressive monument, although its origin and purpose seem to be unrecorded.
The afternoon brought some gentle walking across fields to Wray Castle which is another National Trust property and has associations with Beatrix Potter, who stayed there as a young woman.
There was just time for a cup of tea at the castle’s tea room overlooking Windermere. This was followed by a stroll along the lakeside path back to the ferry.
On the second day, the group walked along the ridge of Whitbarrow overlooking the Kent estuary in the south of the district.
The ascent and descent were through woodland, but the open top of the fell provided fine views of the coast.
The summit of Whitbarrow is a National Nature Reserve and home to many species of unusual plants special to limestone pavement.
For more details of East Cheshire Ramblers’ programme of weekend and midweek walks, go to ramblerseastcheshire. org.uk.