Kendal, Dales Way, Patton Bridge, Moresdale Hall, Beckfoot, High Oak, Sedbergh, Cumbria

Kendal, Dales Way, Patton Bridge, Moresdale Hall, Beckfoot, High Oak, Sedbergh, Cumbria.
[ 26.8 km] Thu 12 Mar 2009

Plan + Profile

I was at the Sedbergh Library bus stop waiting for the 7:45am no 564 bus to Kendal when I noticed the plaque on the wall commemorating the two charters for a Sedbergh market. I’d planned to catch the bus to Kendal and walk back along the ‘Dales Way’ route.

Walking through Sedbergh to the bus stop.

Sedbergh is unusual in having two Charters, the Charter of 1538 replacing that of 1251. This happened when a market had ceased, probably due to bad times economically, but often due to the fact that when the Black Death (plague) swept through the land.

Market Charter plaque on the Library.

The first Charter was Granted in 1251 by Henry III.
“Know that We (Henry III) have granted and by this my Charter have confirmed to our beloved Alice of Stavely that she and her heirs in perpetuity shall have a market once a week on Tuesday at her manor of Sedbergh in the County of York.
Dated by our hand at Windsor 21st May 1251.”

The second Charter was Granted in 1538 by Henry VIII.
“ Know ye that We (Henry VIII) of our Speicel Grace and certain knowledge and freewill have granted, and by this our Charter, grant and confirm to Our beloved and faithful Thomas Stanley, Lord Mounteagle and William Parre Esqre. and their heirs for ever have a markett every week on Wednesday, in their Lordship of Sedbergh in the County of York.

The bus arrived but was going directly to the bus station and not via the Mintsfeet area I was heading for. The driver said another bus was following up behind that went there so I got off. I soon regretted it as there was no other bus shown on the timetable on the Library wall. Some schoolboys arrived and confirmed that another bus was due and it arrived about 7:55. £2 bought me a ticket to the Morrisons complex near to Mintsfeet. The driver said it was a school bus but took other passengers. After the bus dropped off most of it’s passengers at St Katherine School I got off outside Morrisons. The site used to be the County Show Field. I headed north along the main A6 road which was unpleasant walking due to the large vehicles thundering towards me all the time.

At Helme bank I took a path up to the right to look at a small church on the hill and leave the thundering traffic for a while. I re-joined the A6 as far as Burton House where I joined the line of the Dales Way and thankfully left the main road. The last time I was here was Oct 1981 when I walked the Dales Way from Ilkley to Windermere. I followed the lane through Tarn Bank, Garnetts Folds and New House where I was back into open fields. Over the rise Black Moss Tarn came in to view. It was interesting to read my diary of Sat 10 Oct 1981 as this is the spot where I camped on my way to Windermere. Then as now the fields were wet and muddy and very poorly way marked. The path east of Black Moss Tarn is far from obvious. I crossed the lane just after Biglands and was then on another muddy path to Shaw End.

Shaw End

path by Moresdale Hall

As the lane passes to the south of the building a magnificent view of the house appears. I also commented on it being a ‘grand’ view as I passed in 1981. I crossed the river Mint via a footbridge then across fields to a steep descent to the access track to Thursgill. I crossed the main A685 road and crossed Flodder Beck by the footbridge and up to Green Head. A farm track descends to Lambrigg Beck and then the way crosses a field up towards the railway. There is no footpath visible and no way marks so I had to judge as best as I could from the map.

I reached the railway line at the correct spot but the crossing was blocked off. No sign was visible saying it was closed or anything about a diversion. I had no choice but to follow the fence along a muddy way to the bridge near Beck Houses. The way now follows the lane to meadow How where it follows a path through some interesting wooded grounds of Moresedale Hall. The path was OK to Holme Park Farm but then went through a horrible swamp of mud and would have been much better using the track round to Lambrigg Head farm. This is where the route crosses over the M6 motorway by a cattle bridge which is ankle deep in cow muck, as it was in 1981!

Crossing the M6 at cow-muck bridge.

Lunchstop at Crook of Lune bridge.

The gate at the far end is locked so has to be climbed over. That’s not a nice thing for the farmer to do. I was soon on the Old Scotch Road and thankfully off the worst of the wet boggy paths. The full majesty of the Howgill fells are now in full view as I wandered along a pleasant downhill path to Beck Foot and the disused railway viaduct. I was on familiar territory and decided to stop for lunch at the Crook of Lune Bridge.

From here the path follows the east bank of the River Lune and leaves it above Hole House. After a mile it descends back to the river with a wonderful view of the Lune Viaduct which used to carry the railway over the river. The masonry is in excellent condition but some of the high metal superstructure seems to be missing. There was a tricky ford to cross over a side stream before reaching Lincoln’s Inn Bridge at the A684. Crossing the road the path soon leaves the bank and crossed fields to The Oaks and High Oaks then back to the fields for a while before reaching the A683. I had to follow the road to Ingmire Cottages then it was back on the riverside path.

Disused railway over the Lune Viaduct.

Sedbergh Parish Church of St Andrew.

This time I was following the River Rawthey which was quite impressive and fast flowing. I soon reached the Rawthey bridge which is where the dismantled railway crossed over. At Birks Mill I left the riverbank and headed up the lane. I missed the branch path in Birks so decided to stay on the lane, passing the cemetery, and along the path to the Parish Church of St Andrew. I went inside to take a few photos then wandered back to the car.