#LakeDistrictBid Advent Calendar Day 17 - Because of the rivers...

The rivers of the Lake District have had a bit of a bad press recently but the good news is that they're now a LOT better behaved and Cumbria is most definitely open for business.  (Have I mentioned that before?  It's just that it is and this weekend should be one of the busiest of the year so PLEASE visit, we would love to see you!)

Anyway, back to the rivers - I can't really explain why but a walk is always so much nicer when it's alongside a river, somehow it never seems quite such hard work, even when we're going uphill.  There are hundreds of rivers across the county, and plenty of pretty waterfalls too, feeding the lakes and providing the perfect stopping off point on a summer stroll - these are just a few of my favourites.

River Liza, Ennerdale

Kent Estuary

River Kent near Kendal

Trout Beck

Blind Tarn Gill

Colwith Force

Fisherplace Gill

Stickle Ghyll looking empty one hot summer

Aira Force and penguin rock (since disappeared)

Burns Beck

Scandal Beck

Launchy Gill

Lodore Falls

Spring in our back garden after heavy rain

I'm writing this whole series of blogs to support the Lake District National Park Authority as they bid to gain UNESCO World Heritage Site Status for the Lake District National.  Pretty please (with jam on!) click here to learn more about the bid and show your support.

To go back to day 1 of the blog, please click here or scroll the column on the right to see what you've been missing.  :-)

Wainwright and the secrets of the River Kent

Tracking the source of the River Kent may not sound quite as dramatic as finding the source of the Nile but, on the plus side, Cumbria is a lot easier to get to than Egypt.

Looking towards Kent Estuary from Grange-over-Sands

Working backwards the River Kent empties into Morecambe Bay between Arnside & Grange where, at especially high tides, a bore is created which impressively fills the bay with one wave.  The river then tracks back up the valley and is joined near Milnthorpe by the River Bela, fresh from Dallam Park.

Dallam deer

Dallam bridge

Heading towards Kendal the Kent swings under Hawes Bridge and past a Roman Fort at Watercrook Farm before hitting the town centre.  Back in the 1800's the river was hugely important to the wool trade and steps down to the river from the ends of the various yard are still in existence in a few places, showing the routes taken to wash the fleeces. (The river was, of course, used for other trades too - but washing wool is what they're best known for).

River Kent at Hawes Bridge

From Kendal the river continues back to Staveley and the Kentmere Valley.  Things may look picturesque between here and the source of the river, but don't be fooled, the history of this area is dominated by industry and mining.  There were paper mills, bobbin mills, lead mining and slate quarrying, all of which put demands on the river, but it was a combination of agriculture and the asbestos industry that threw up one of Kentmere's most intriguing secrets.

Kentmere valley

Kentmere Tarn is bypassed by many on their way to Kentmere Reservoir at the head of the valley (which was constructed to regulate the water supply for the industries relying on it) but the tarn holds a few secrets, some of which we haven't been fully unlocked yet.

What is now Kentmere Tarn was once a Diatomite mine supplying the asbestos industry (sorry, but you'll have to read our book for all the details - it's out in October :-) ) and as they were excavating they made a number of interesting finds.  Initially they came across a number of Roman artefacts, but as they dug deeper they found something far more interesting.

In 1955 a dugout boat was discovered which was displayed for many years by the National Maritime Museum and was carbon dated to the 14th Century.  Four years later, in 1959, another dugout was discovered, significantly deeper in the deposits.  Its location in relation to the previous find, plus its more simplistic design indicate it could be significantly older, possibly even Viking - which would make it an incredibly exciting find - but it needs to be carbon dated before we'll know for sure.

You can go and take a close look at this second dugout as it's on display at Kendal Museum.  While you're there you can also admire the many other wonderful exhibits on display and see if you spot some famous handwriting.  For nearly 30 years Wainwright was Honorary Clerk and Curator at the museum and many exhibits still carry labels written in his distinctive style.

Kendal Museum have been incredibly helpful to us as we've researched our book and by way of saying thank you we're trying to raise £350 to allow them to get the second dugout boat carbon dated.  We need to raise the whole amount by 5th July and we're well over halfway there BUT if we don't reach our target we lose every penny that has so far been pledged, 

EDIT - WE MADE IT!  HUGE thanks to everyone who donated - watch this space for news of the dating!

Please can you spare just a few pounds to help us reach our target - We thank you, Kendal Museum thank you and, if he were still around, I'm pretty sure Wainwright would thank you too!

Pretty, pretty, PRETTY please CLICK HERE to donate - Thank you! 

Kendal Sewage Works.

As you'll have notice from many of my other blogs, I'm very keen to promote all that Cumbria has to offer.  I love fell walking but am aware that the fells aren't for everyone and anyway there are loads of other amazing places to visit in Cumbria, like Kendal Sewage Works for instance. I promise I haven't taken leave of my senses (well no more so than usual) and that this really is a lovely family walk, even if it doesn't have the most auspicious of beginnings

On Sunday we found ourselves with a couple of hours to kill in Kendal and, as we're expecting family visitors over the summer we thought we'd check out a pleasant stroll along the River Kent to see if it was suitable for all ages. Turns out it was so I thought I'd pass it on for those looking for a pleasant stroll away from the fells. As I've already mentioned, the walk doesn't start with the most picturesque of views but it's certainly worth persevering. Begin by picking up the river path near the Museum of Lakeland Life and head south west (follow the flow of the river). The path winds along the edge of a housing estate to Romney Bridge; cross the road (with care, it's pretty busy) and continue along the road opposite.  The path soon drops down to the riverbank and at this stage it's quite narrow and, I should imagine,a little muddy after rain; but nothing too bad.

River Kent

As the path winds around the edge of the Sewage Works look across to the field on the other side and you'll see what remains of Watercrook Fort.  The first thing you'll notice is that there's not a lot there apart from the  grass mounds, but then it does date back to the late first century.  There's some really fascinating stuff about it here - including some old maps.

As you exit the trees at Scroggs Wood don't follow the road, follow the footpath which is clearly signed through the field opposite.  At this point the landscape opens up with lovely views of the gentle rolling hills around the south of Kendal.  Granted there is some road noise away in the distance, but the views are lovely.

View from Hawes Bridge.

The route couldn't be more straightforward from here; simply follow the river until you reach the road at Hawes Bridge, then turn left to cross the bridge, stopping to admire the views as you cross over.  It's a shame there doesn't appear to be a route down to the river's edge at this point as there are some really interesting rock formations down there.  But that's probably just the geologist in me talking.  It is a little tricky picking up the path back from here as it's not marked.  Follow the road for 50 yards or so until you find a small private car park on your left.  The path starts on the far side of the car park and drops you back down to the water's edge again.  It was late in the day as we were making our way along here and back into Kendal and the Housemartins were swooping and diving overhead (the birds not the band) making a welcome addition to the scenery.

View from Romney Bridge.

As you pass Watercrook Farm you get slightly better views down over the remains of the Roman Fort, but the land is private unless you're a member of the local angling society.  From here the route becomes rather more urban again passing by a warehouse and joining Natland Road before returning you to Romney Bridge.  From here you can keep to the East Side of the river and cross back at one of the many other bridges in town, or retrace your steps back to the museum.  All told it's a little over 5 miles of easy walking, so a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon next time you're visiting Kendal.