Askham Fell from Lowther Castle

Moorland Walk + Riverside Walk + Pub Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

A varied walk from Askham which lies a few miles south of Penrith and within the Lake District National Park. The route includes the opportunity to visit Lowther Castle, follows a riverside path before passing through the village of Helton. The walk then crosses Askham Fell before returning through the village of Askham to return to the start.

The walk starts from the main car park of Lowther Castle (grid ref. NY523240). Alternatively, parking can usually be found in Askham Village. After parking, exit the parking area at the western end, cross the access road, and continue along the path with the castle wall on your left. Cross a cattle grid and follow the track as it bends sharp left. The track then descends to river level. Once through a gate the path crosses open pastures with the River Lowther on your right. Continue upstream for just over a kilometre and pass through another gate (grid ref. NY521223), Fork right following the river and continue to a road. Turn right, cross Crookwath Bridge and turn left through a gate with adjacent fingerpost signed to Whale.

The path continues with river now on your left. Continue along the riverside path for 600 metres from the road passing through several small gates along the way. Reaching a more substantial gate in a wall, go through the gate and turn left with the field boundary on your left. The path bends left, and fork left and cross a small footbridge. Immediately after the bridge, turn right beside a small stream and then right again along a clearer path. The path soon follows a walled lane which leads to a road (grid ref. NY511218) on the edge of Helton Village. Cross the road to the track opposite and continue to the next road. Turn right through the village and after 250 metres turn left just past a post-box and continue uphill out of the village. After a kilometre you reach open country.

Stay on the road for another 500 metres to reach a very short fingerpost on the right. Continue along the road for a further 75 metres to the next short fingerpost and turn right onto a clear track leading across Askham Fell. Shortly after leaving the road, you pass the Cop Stone. Continue across the moor for another 1200 metres passing other Bronze Age relics on the way. Reaching a fingerpost (grid ref. NY487225), turn right and after 400 metres right again. The route now heads downhill passing a small plantation over to your left. Ahead you have an excellent view to the higher fells of North Pennines.

Keep ahead on the clear track and descend into Askham village with track becoming a road. Continue ahead to road junction with the Queen's Head opposite. Turn right and then first left signed to Lowther. Walk ahead, cross the River Lowther, turn right off the road onto a signed path. Almost immediately fork left and climb steeply through woodland. Just after a left-hand bend, fork right and continue to the track used at the start of the walk. Turn left and retrace your route back to the parking area at Lowther Castle.

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