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Kentmere, Reston Crag, Staveley, Reston Scar, Williamson's Monument, Cumbria. Thu 07 Dec 2006

 

When I arrived in the Kentmere valley it was still dark. The road was awash with water after heavy overnight rain. The road is very narrow and the only passing places are not big enough to park a car. I’d previously walked along the short stretch of branch road over Ullthwaite Bridge and thought I’d leave the car near there on a bit of waste ground. I’d planned to walk via Millrigg Knott but the wet ground made that unappealing. I decided to walk south along the road to Staveley. I had to wade through some sections due to the large amount of water draining from the fells, but they were shallow and didn’t go over my boots. At Scroggs Bridge I had look at the strange metal door in the parapet of the bridge and wondered what its purpose could be. In Staveley I turner right at the War memorial into Brow Lane and headed uphill by the school. A little further on is a narrow lane to the right which heads up to Reston Scar.
The River Kent in spate.
Taken from Scroggs Bridge.

Some interesting references to Scroggs Bridge.
Records relating to the Barony of Kendale: volume 3
1806 17 January. Presentment that Scroggs Bridge over the river Kent, in the king's common highway leading from the market town of K. Kendal by way of Kentmere to the market town of Penrith, is in great decay, broken and ruinous, etc. and that it ought to be repaired at the expense of the county. (K. Indict. Book, 1805–1806). Order that it be repaired. K. Order and Indictment Book, 1798–1811. 1865 20 October. Report that Scroggs Bridge is an old narrow bridge built of rubble stone, and placed at right angles to the road, the parapet walls at each end are thrown down and displaced by the conveyance of timber in long lengths from the woods of Kentmere. Ordered that a plan and estimate be laid before the next Sessions. On 6 April 1866, it was resolved that the Bridge Master take steps to repair the bridge at a cost not exceeding £100. On 11 April, 1867, the Bridge Master reported that the approach to Scroggs Bridge from the Staveley side requires widening as at present there is scarcely room for wood wagons to make the turn. K. Minute Book, 1859–75.


Williamson's Monument.

 As I climbed it I noticed a figure descending the fell above. It was a woman walking her dog but she’d descended by a different route by the time I’d got to where I’d seen her. It was a decent farm track climbing up but by the time I’d reached to top gate it was awash with water and mud. I little further up the track improved a bit and I could see Kemp Tarn to my right. I soon came to a high stone wall but it was easy to climb over without any trouble. I was crossing Hugill Fell and in the distance I could see my first objective, the Williamson’s Monument. I still had quite a way to go though and another wall to cross. When I got there the wind had picked up and I managed to find some shelter by the stone cairn shaped monument. Inset on the east side is a slate tablet with the inscription.

In Memory of
THOMAS WILLIAMSON,
Of Height in Hugil, Gent
Who died Feb. 13. 1797.
Aged 66 years.
Erected 1803

the inscription reads as above.


The Inscription.

I have no idea who Thomas Willamson was or why he had such a large monument, but I’m glad he has because it certainly gave me a breather from the wind. I followed a muddy track down to ‘The Heights’ a group of buildings that are having some considerable rebuilding works done on them. Presumably this is where Thomas came from. A nice walled track continued north and apart from the occasional water filled dip was enjoyable to walk along. The weather was still overcast with occasional rain showers. Eventually I took a right fork and left the walled track to head out onto open moor. I found some shelter behind a wall and stopped for my lunch. Approaching Whiteside End was a substantial ford to get across and with all the rain it was in spate. There were sufficient boulders to hop across but I had no way of knowing if they were slippery or not. Handful’s of gravel were tossed onto each one to give a bit of advanced grip. It worked and I got across without incident. Rounding Whiteside End I started to descend. The views ahead would have been tremendous if it hadn’t been for the cloud and drizzle.

I kept an eye out over the wall to the right for the remains of an ancient settlement I’d been told about, but I couldn’t see it. Further down the lane I turned right into the field to descend steeply and pick up the old track to Bank House. It was a wonderful high level route above the valley and I must return if the weather ever improves. Bank House farm buildings are now a ruin but the walls are still to full height though all the roof has collapsed. I was told later that the last occupants were here in about the 1920s, which sounds right looking at the place.


Bank House and the obscured view.


Collection of millstones.

A very wet track descended through Kentmere Hall Plantation and all the way back to the Factory by the river. I walked past Sawmill Cottage, which is the Pottery I called at last week. I took another photo of the millstone propped up outside to show how thin it worn down to. Following the path and track I arrived back at my car only to find a notice on the windscreen saying the land was private and not to park there. I wouldn’t have parked if I’d known but there was no sign anywhere to that effect and I don’t see how I could have known.