Route: Bampton Grange and the River Lowther
Area: Eden Valley
Date of walk: 9th June 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.9 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Cloudy with some bright spells and a few spots of rain. Warm and hazy
This is another walk sourced from ‘Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley’ by Vivienne Crow. I’m really enjoying getting to know this beautiful area which is overlooked thanks to the proximity of the Lake District. I’ve hardly seen another soul on my various walks here and today was another case in point
I parked in one of the roadside spaces by the public phone box in Bampton Grange. Following the description in Vivienne’s book I walked out of the village via the path next to the pub. An obstacle immediately presented itself in the form of a herd of cattle lurking by the gate into the field. As I had Bonnie the cow magnet with me I decided to retrace my steps and avoid the field by walking along the lane to Knipe, which soon joins up with the route described in the book
After a short walk across Knipe Moor I crossed the wooden suspension bridge over the River Lowther and followed the delightful path along its bank, passing by Bampton Grange again as I did so (the walk could be ended here, making it a short circular walk of 2-3 miles). I then followed a quiet country lane which crossed over the River Lowther again and walked back to Bampton Grange through fields close to the riverbank
It had been a lovely walk in unspoilt countryside
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
Later on, the start of the walk (after a false start thanks to the cattle) as I follow the sign for Knipe
Looking across to Bampton Grange
It’s a very quiet lane and I encountered no traffic save for a tractor
Rolling hills on the fringe of the Eastern Lake District
Knipe Moor
Looking east again…
Further along the track across Knipe Moor
I leave the track at this point and turn sharp left
A faint grassy path leads down to the line of trees below
The lovely wooden suspension bridge over the River Lowther
It took some persuasion to get Bonnie across here - she didn’t like the gaps in the walkway and the fact that the bridge swayed, so crawled along on all paws
All was forgotten after a refreshing swim
The delightful path by the bank of the River Lowther…
The route takes me past Bampton Grange, and this is where the walk could be shortened if desired
The next mile or so is along this quiet country lane…
Cranesbill, one of the many wild flowers which lined the way
Just beyond the bridge I leave the lane to start the return leg to Bampton Grange
The River Lowther from the bridge
Ruined building near Rosgill
The lane leading to Hegdale
I pass by the farm at Hegdale
Heading through the fields back to Bampton Grange
A squeeze stile leading into a meadow just before Bampton Grange
St Patrick’s Church Bampton Grange
The path passes through the churchyard - the village pub is opposite
Bampton Grange, and the end of another great walk in the Eden Valley
Back home, a red squirrel visiting for supper
