29th January 2025 a 4-5 mile circular walk from the Sizergh Castle Visitor Centre in a Clockwise direction via Brigsteer. Taking in attractive views over the Lake District and Lyth Valley towards Morecambe Bay and Arnside.
Setting off west on the new path for easy walking, passing sheep, keep dogs on lead.
At the end of the path is a large gate onto the road leading to Brigsteer. An alternative is go slightly right across the road through the woodland on a woodland type path which by-passes the next two photos.
The road also goes through the wood until you reach a cottage when you continue between hedges for a couple of hundred yards. This is a favourite spot and the Cottage has a lot of flowers in summer.
Reaching Brigsteer turn right at the pub. Quite a nice spot. Here is a steep road climb, about 300 feet, giving great views over the Lyth Valley.
If you’ve taken an easy route by walking anti-clockwise from Sizergh you can get here with a shorter climb but still steep. Near here is St John’s at Helsingham a tiny hilltop church that you can go inside. Very peaceful.
The seat gives a great view over the Lake District.
Back at Sizergh. In the Visitor Centre you can obtain tickets to the Castle and Garden, NT members go in free, and park for free.
Newly made wicker woodland animals on the new walk near the higher lake before the garden.
The lower lake in front of the castle. The main garden and castle are between the two lakes.
A visit to Blackpool when the sun doesn’t rise high in the sky. The RNLI Lifeboat was out on a practice run. We arrived as it was coming in, then towed out of the water with the crew strapped in like a ride on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Please note the dates on the photos say 25th Jan when it was the 15th.
North Pier, The RNLI Lifeboat station and shop, Blackpool Tower.
The new multi-story car park taking a portion of the old Central Station site.
The Backlot Cinema and IMAX with burger bar at the back of the Houndshill Shopping Centre on Coronation Street, Blackpool.
It was a dull day but spirits were high as dozens of tractors converged into Booths Car Park at Garstang. Some old ones and some new ones, over a 100 with the old ones being parked in the square outside Booths store. They’re so small compared to the new mammoth tractors at the far end of the car park.
This is all in aid of the Garstang and District Children’s Festival, collecting money for the 2025 festival.
After a couple of hours of display the parade began at midday. Launched by a chequered flag and a Reindeer tractor towing a Santa sleigh. The route round Garstang was packed.
The old ones, Fords in blue, Massey Ferguson’s in red plus some others:
The new ones:
Garstang has its own Mayor and Town Council which was news to me. The Mayor is Councillor Michal Halford, wearing the chain of office. I wanted a photo to also have the sign on the gentleman’s back. ‘Garstang & District Children’s Festival’. That’s what it’s about.
The Queen of Garstang raised the starting flag then the Mayor offered a hand. Forward came Santa’s sleigh and tractor.
The old tractors awoke from their slumber while the new one’s were already buzzing round the route but they merged at the roundabout.
This grey one was a little corker. It has a very smart iron seat made in Newark it says.
Walking to High Street was a surprise as it was packed and the tractors were racing through. Too fast it seemed and a relief when a delivery driver blocked the road.
A blue one to match the cafe-bar sign. Nineteen: had a bacon sandwich in there and it was thumbs up, the staff were very friendly with all the customers.
A delivery van brought them to close up enabling this good photo of the Massey’s en-masse.
Here looking towards the clock the packed crowds on both sides. The children loved the musical horns.
Here the Mayor demonstrates the horn to a waving child.
It was a fine display and parade. It’s great to see all that together coming in from the fields all around.
A few days in the Lake District. Stopping at Blackwell House near Bowness on the way.
Blackwell House overlooking Lake Windermere. A large Art & Craft Movement House built for Joseph Holt, Brewer, Manchester. Operated by Lakeland Arts based in Kendal.
One of the rooms. The main lounge overlooking the lake with a large bay winder viewing place.
Two of the trees, the lake is just visible on the right. The tree on the right is a perfect shape in Winter.
The Jetty Museum at the other end of Bowness. Both run by Lakeland Arts, free entry for members.
Ambleside at sunset.
25th November 2024 A walk from Ambleside to Grasmere and back round Lake Grasmere and Rydal Water.
Setting off from Ambleside along Under Loughrigg lane.
On the Coffin Route overlooking Rydal Water
Grasmere Church
Heading south round Rydal Water. On the opposite side to the Coffin Route.
26th November the ferry to Bowness. Sunlight splashes on a hill.
The Jetty Museum. A lake boat being restored at the museum conservation workshop. A guided tour is offered, 10.30am on the day we were there.
The large Belsfield Hotel was the home of a wealthy businessman. His boat is being restored at the Jetty Museum.
Ambleside from the open top bus on the return journey.
27th November a stop off in Kendal. A town of many alleys and interesting buildings. Some interesting shops too if you keep your eyes peeled for the right alleys.
A lovely day for a visit to Garstang, Lancashire. The old main street has a collection of independent stores although there’s been some turn over in the period since Covid.
It isn’t hard to get into the country from Garstang. Walking east from the main street, called High Street, over High Street car park or at the other end of town going via Greenhalgh Castle.
This walk is from Cherestanc Square, outside Booths, to the M6, about 2 miles. Such a walk is easy going. Continuing beyond there would become more arduous. There are a lot of photos.
Across the Zebra into Stoops Hall Weind which has a few shops.
Into High Street.
Right is the Market Square. The Street Market is on Thursday.
The War Memorial and Market Square.
The former Town Hall.
If you turn left coming out of the alley.
For many years the black verandah was Singleton’s known for Pork Pies.
The old Grammar School, now an Art Centre with a little cafe.
Garstang Town Crier inside the Art Centre cafe. This lady has been enthusiastically performing the role for many years.
The new apartment block overlooking High Street Car Park and the river.
The River Wyre and the small park next to the car park. A well surfaced footpath goes up and down stream. Upstream leads to the Millenium Walk which ends with a small circle.
The football and the cricket ground next to the river.
Flood defences. The gates come up to create a large holding area for storm water running off the hills so it doesn’t overwhelm St Michaels and the road near Great Eccleston. The rugby pitch is on the holding area and a large dyke is in front of the neighbouring houses.
The Rugby Pitch is on the other side of the old railway line from the Cricket pitch.
The steps from the riverside path to the old railway line bridge. The line went from the West Coast Main Line to Knott End with a station in Garstang.
The old railway line to Knott End. Garstang Station was just at the end of this photo.
The line over the river towards the West Coast Main Line. There was a station called Garstand and Catterall near the junction.
The River Wyre viewed downstream from the bridge.
The flood area on the east bank of the river.
The Dewlay Cheese factory windmill is a local landmark.
Greenhalgh Castle. Ruined in the Civil War 1645. A former defensive property of the Stanley Family, 1490, 1st Earl of Derby.
The path continues between fields.
Most paths have a short stretch that spoils miles of good work.
The path continues into the former railway cutting.
A decision whether to turn off the old railway line and walk across a field or to go along the track bed shown below.
The former track bed.
Crossing the field. One year its maize, next year its sheep.
The West Coast Main Line.
A Trans-Pennine Express heading south towards Preston, Manchester or Liverpool from Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Next to the railway is the M6 motorway. The Lancaster Canal isn’t far away either.
Another visit to the BCVM at Leyland. Today a different coach has appeared. A Leyland Beadle sporting East Kent livery, registration FFN446, Maidstone in the old registration code. Built in 1951.
It looks in good condition and the opening windscreens are an early form of air conditioning. It might be wrong but the steering wheel looks more central than you’d expect. As the driver has a full width area this coach must be front engined and perhaps it got hot in there.
The Leyland Tiger with Burlingham body is a long time exhibit and a very attractive example. JRN29, Preston registration.
Inside the Tiger, a lovely coach.
The ERF of Sandbach, Cheshire, truck. A lot of interesting design shapes, probably expensive to build.
The first Foden truck. There’s an interesting board telling the history of Foden and its family offshoot ERF.
Commer truck. Rootes Group. An attractive example in H Hunter, Corn Merchant of Tarleton livery. Presumably owned by Huntapac who’ve transported fresh food produce from West Lancashire for around 90years.
A close up of the Commer radiator.
Leyland Hippo, 1935.
The famous A badged radiator of Atkinson’s Vehicles, Winery Lane, Walton Le Dale. There’s a great write up about Atkinson’s on the Irish Transport Museum webpage referenced at the bottom.
Albion Motors of Glasgow radiator. Like most British manufacturers they were taken over in a series of mergers.
Another day at the East Lancashire Railway. Arriving at Rawtenstall early to take in the view and have a cup of tea at the carriage cafe.
Today’s star loco is the BR Standard 9F, freight, loco 92134. Built at Crewe in 1957 and withdrawn in 1966. It previously spent time at the ELR before heading to its current home on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The loco is privately owned. Here it approaches Rawtenstall.
92134 is the only one of the type remaining with a single chimney.
As it reverses to the front of the train its 2-10-0 wheel formation is clearer. A very fine locomotive.
JN Derbyshire tank loco in it’s unusual colour ran a goods shunting train with 11243 at the front.
Furness Trust No 20 is the oldest operating steam loco in the UK. It’s a very attractive loco with an open cab. Restored by the Furness Trust at Barrow and Preston with the assistance of local industry.
11243 is a tiny loco with a big heart. Creating quite a stir as it tows goods wagons up and down the platform.
2890 built at Hunslet, Leeds.
Furness 20 with the top hatted crew.
11456 comes into Bury from Heywood.
11456 at Rawtenstall.
It was a good day out with plenty of activity to watch at Bury in between trains. There’s always the option of going round the museum which is usually free entry if you have an event day ticket, if not it costs.
A quick visit to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR). It was to be a trip to Ingrow station to see the carriage museum but there was time for a there and back on the train.
Ingrow Carriage Museum is a nice little place with 2 rows of carriages and in between them is a platform so you can go into or look into the carriages. Most of them are early 20th century and have very plush seating.
On entering the museum there’s a shop with a coffee machine and a few chocolates. The shop contains mainly second hand railway books and models.
There’s a small works at the back of the museum as shown below. To one side of the museum is a second hand store of old railway magazines. All filed in order and covering trams and models.
My train arrives. 52044, an attractive ex Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway freight loco built in 1887 by Beyer Peacock in Manchester. See the KWVR website, linked below, for fuller information.
The crew watching out:
The single track railway has a passing point before Oakworth. Here we’re stationary waiting for 78022 to pass. This loco was built at Darlington in 1954 as a ‘Standard’ BR design based on the LMS Ivatt loco and ended its service days at Lostock Hall near Preston in 1967. See the KWVR website for fuller information.
Oakworth Station. Famous for being the setting for the film the Railway Children. On this line there is Keighley, a larger station, followed by Ingrow West, Oakworth, Haworth, Oxenhope. The last four stations looking very similar. Ingrow West station building was transferred from Foulridge when the Skipton to Colne line closed.
At Oakworth enactors create a days past look:
At Oxenhope the train reverses and returns with the loco backwards. Oxenhope has a carriage that works as a cafe. Plus a shed containing locos and carriages. One set of carriages is the plush Pullman style business set that operated between Manchester and Blackpool via Lytham St Annes.
So ended the trip with the same train back to Ingrow. It’s a great little railway. The main engine shed is at Haworth, of Bronte fame. There are tours round the shed, worth looking it up. Here’s the KWVR website. https://kwvr.co.uk/
A misty morning turning bright in Blackpool. We walk from Stanley Park around a mile to the promenade taking in a few diversions.
Stanley Park in Blackpool, full of features, here’s the Art Deco Cafe or Parks Cafe with outside seating and a car park in front of the Italian Gardens.
Stanley Park Art Deco Cafe Blackpool
Stanley Park lake looking through the mist at the Bandstand which features a summer Sunday programme of music, local bands or groups.
Stanley Park Lake and Bandstand in mist, Blackpool
St John’s Square looking along Church Street. To the left the Blackpool Winter Gardens. Further along, the promenade. The Vintro Lounge is on the right and behind the photo are several others cafes including the new and large Abingdon Street Market – Street Food Court with a few trendy shops.
St John’s Square Blackpool
The new Holiday Inn next to Blackpool North Station from Sainsbury’s Superstore.
Holiday Inn Blackpool
Next to the Holiday Inn is the North Station Tram Stop whic operates along Talbot Road to the prom.
Entrance to Blackpool North Station Tram Stop
Blackpool North Station Tram Stop with two trams. With services to the Pleasure Beach or Cleveleys, Fleetwood.
Blackpool North Station Tram Stop
Across from North Pier on Talbot Road is the Street Art – Call of the Sea by Laurence Payot, an artist based in Liverpool. It’s a fine piece of work. On the left are 2 small street benches in the shape of Heritage Trams.
Blackpool Street Art Call of the Sea
The new line along Talbot Road to the North Station Tram Stop.
Blackpool Tram entering Talbot Road
Lawrence Llewlyn-Bowen has done a lot of work in Blackpool. In my opinion this is his best. The Disco Donkey Cavalcade.
Blackpool Disco Donkey Cavalcade
Coral Island Blackpool, a slot machine wonder with a magnificent entrance. There’s a raised monorail inside the building as well.
Blackpool Coral Island
The Blackpool Central Promenade taking in 2 piers, Sea World, Tussaud’s, Blackpool Tower. The Sea Grass when vertical means there’s no wind. In high winds it flexes to 45degrees.
Blackpool Central Promenade
Along Central Pier there are great views along the coast with the Lake District beyond North Pier.
Blackpool from Central Pier
The new development on the old Central Station site means demolition of the former Blackpool Police Station, Magistrates Court and it’s internal public car park. A new multi-storey car park has already been built behind it.
At the south end of the Lake District is Sizergh Castle, an easy stop from the main route into the Lakes. An old castle, interesting gardens, a good visitor centre, large car park, and plenty of walks.
The walk below is the 5ish mile circle from Sizergh to St John’s at Helsingham Church with it’s distant views. Then continuing over the cattle grid and turning left down the steep hill into Brigsteer. Left again to the gate that takes the path back to Sizergh.
Sizergh, the walk at HelsinghamSizergh, the walk at BrigsteerSizergh, the walk near BrigsteerSizergh, the view zoomed into Arnside Viaduct from HelsinghamSizergh, the walk near BrigsteerSizergh, the walk towards Sizergh
Into the gardens at Sizergh. Its maples take a good colour in Autumn but there is plenty of other planting including a national collection of ferns. Nice cockerals as well. In the barn is a display about the life cycle of trees.
Sizergh Barn Tree ExhibitionSizergh, plantSizergh, plantSizergh, plant
A walk into Lancaster from the Park and Ride next to the M6. A couple of miles you can walk all the way along the former railway line behind the Holiday Inn or turn off at the canal aqueduct and walk via the Lancaster Canal.
Once in Lancaster the museum is a good call. It has plenty of information and changing exhibitions.
Overlooking Lancaster from the east is the Ashton Memorial. From the centre of Lancaster a good walk uphill to Williamson Park and on to the memorial to Lord Ashton’s wife:
Lancaster, Ashton MemorialLancaster Canal aqueductLancaster Canal aqueductLancaster walk from Park & RideLancaster Museum ExhibitionLancasterLancasterLancasterLancaster Grand Theatre
A quick trip to Fleetwood. Parking on the Esplanade which faces Morecambe Bay the Marine Hall looks attractive with it’s Yucca Trees and freshly cut grass. On the other side of the road The Mount which is a good viewing spot for looking across the Bay to the Lake District. Barrow is quite clear on a good day and ferries to the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland pass.
There were 3 lighthouses but now there are 2 as one metal framed light fell into the bay. The claim being that no-one could prove who owned it. Never mind the 2 lighthouses remain are more classic, Pharos, the tall one, and Middle Lighthouse the stumpy one.
The North Euston Hotel stands between the two lighthouses. It has an interesting history as it was once the northern extreme of the railway to Scotland. The ferry from Fleetwood being the other half of the journey on the west coast.
Outside the North Euston are the gardens which contain a statue of the founder the modern Fleetwood Lord Peter Hesketh Fleetwood.
Blackpool Heritage Trams visit Fleetwood a few times a day in summer. Usually there is a regular modern Blackpool Transport service tram which calls in at Blackpool North Station since the extension line opened in June 2024.
Across from the main tram stop which is next to the gardens is a ferry to Knott End. A tiny ferry that looks like a bus and operates when the tide is high enough. Otherwise Knott End is quite a long ride to the first bridge over the River Wyre.
Fleetwood has a museum which is very good. A dedicated post will be added.
Another trip to the East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall to Bury. It goes on to Heyward but I’ve never been there.
Today was a general trip with a walk around Bury centre. Bury has a few decent attractions. Bury Bolton Street station on the ELR is a decent spot at an event. They have shunters going up and down in between the bigger trains. Railwayana stalls are on the platform and bridge at an event. Plus two cafes.
East Lancashire Railway at Rawtenstall 34092 City of Wells 25th July 2024East Lancashire Railway at Bury Bolton Street 47298 25th July 2024East Lancashire Railway at Bury Bolton Street Railcar 25th July 2024
Bury Art Gallery is free and has some interesting items plus a shop with good cards, and a cafe that’s a bit old fashioned but good enough. There’s a gallery for Victoria Wood underneath. There was a good statue of her outside the gallery but a car knocked it down. Hopefully it will be back soon.
The Fusilier Museum is worth a look although there’s a charge. It also has a cafe and a shop. The evolution of the regiments is interesting as is the extent of their activity. As the population of north west England grew regiments were moved to be based in the north. It brings an awareness and fascination of parts of the world many wouldn’t be as aware of. Now these regiments are more combined and mainly based at home.
Near the famous Bury Market is the Bury Tram station. A bit cave like and not very pleasant.
Bury market is better at weekend when most stalls are open. The fish and meat stalls are big, the heaps of Bury Black Puddings are amusing, although not my cup of tea.
Bury Art Gallery 25th July 2024. Just round the corner from Bury Bolton Street East Lancashire Railway StationThe Fusilier Museum, Bury 25th July 2024. Just round the corner from Bury Bolton Street East Lancashire Railway StationBury Art Gallery 25th July 2024. Just round the corner from Bury Bolton Street East Lancashire Railway StationBury Tram Station near the famous Bury Market
Back at Bury Bolton Street they’re still shunting.
D9024 at Bury Bolton Street station on the East Lancashire Railway 25th July 202447298 at Bury Bolton Street station on the East Lancashire Railway 25th July 202434092 at Rawtenstall on the return afternoon train on the East Lancashire Railway 25th July 2024
An arts and craft movement house built for Manchester brewer Joseph Holt. Now operated by Lakeland Arts who charge for entry or you can buy an annual pass enabling entrance to four attractions including the Windermere Jetty Museum, Abbot Hall Art Gallery and the Lake District museum currently closed next to Abbot Hall.
Blackwell is a nice tranquil place about a mile south of Bowness looking down on Lake Windermere. It has a nice cafe, and shop. The car park is a bit small but normally we’ve not had difficulty parking.
Inside the house has aspirational rooms with good views and hand made furniture all nicely done. Some rooms are used for displays of Arts and Craft items, one of Blackwell during the war being used as a school for evacuees.
Blackwell House near Bowness June 2024Blackwell House near Bowness June 2024Blackwell House near Bowness June 2024
Ambleside is a good centre for walking and has a few decent eating places as well as a multi-screen/multi venue cinema. The centre is going on for a mile from the lake and the through traffic can be busy.
A few photos, sitting outside a pub, Morris dancing in the evening sun by the lake.
Ambleside in the Lake District June 2024
Wray Castle, National Trust, a boat trip or car ride from Ambleside. There was a very good display of photos of early Everest attempts last time we went. A small local rustic coffee shop chain, Joey’s, has a place next to the castle. It’s a chain as there are a couple more along the lake walk and at Beatrix Potters house. The walk to the next ferry stop across from Bowness is about 3-4 miles along a mostly decent wide track. Trees frequently block the view and it seems to go on longer than you think. The car ferry is a bit closer than the lake ferry stop
Wray CastleViews on the walk from Wray Castle to the Car FerryThe Car Ferry from Bowness across Lake Windermene
You can get the ferry to Bowness walk to the Jetty Museum, which isn’t a short walk, have refreshment and perhaps go round. Certain ferries stop at the Jetty Museum on the trip north to Ambleside. We enjoy a ride on the lake.
The Jetty MuseumThe Jetty MuseumThe Jetty MuseumBownessBownessBownessOn the boat Bowness to AmblesdieFrom the boat Bowness to AmblesideFrom the boat Bowness to AmblesideFrom the boat Bowness to Ambleside
Kendal
Kendal is a place of back alleys. There is one main street which is very busy up to the pedestrianised area. Looking left and right are alleys. Some of them have decent shops, such as the one that goes to Booths Supermarket.
On the pedestrianised section there is a good square behind the war memorial with some interesting buildings and cafes if you follow it round and down the hill and find the alley.
In 2024 Blackpool Heritage Tours are operating a reduced range of trams as the Heritage Tram depot in Rigby Road is being refurbished. Those being run are kept at Starr Gate depot.
Today, while we were there, three heritage trams were operating, 700 in Wartime Green livery and with B fleet doors for use on the new platforms, 717 in streamline livery and with double destination boards and roof lights. These English Electric trams were made in Preston in the 1930s.
Blackpool had a lot of taste with its art deco style tram and bus liveries specified by the General Manager Walter Luff, and the art deco buildings built by the Borough Architect, John Charles Robinson, which include libraries, The Cabin Lift and Derby Baths on North Shore, park buildings such as Stanley Park Art Deco Cafe, tram terminals such as Bispham.
The new tram spur to North Station is being tested and drivers trained. The heritage trams near North Pier.
The Boat tram 227 named, in 2018, Charlie Cairoli after the famous Blackpool Circus Clown.
The view from tram 717 with its Art Deco shaped wrap round windows.
The house is interesting with family association with Wellington in his battles. The garden is famous for its topiary and the floral displays change with the seasons. The full flush of summer being a premium in our opinion.
Across the road outside the house is a path in the River Kent valley. The Kent having a tidal bore downstream from the railway viaduct on some days.
This house is part of the Historic Houses group so we pay to enter. With the aim of visiting the gardens 4 times in a year we buy a garden season ticket.
On arrival parking is free. Go to the ticket booth and buy your tickets for the garden and/or house, you never know when a large group might arrive. Then go into the cafe which has been extended and modernised. It’s open all year when the house and garden close in Winter. The cafe, gift shop and bakery are open to all without a ticket.
After coffee a walk in the garden which is split into several sections separated by high hedges. The flowers are lovely, especially in summer, and vegetables are grown and allowed to mature as planting. Leave the garden via the shop not via the entrance.
There are a few walks. The house grounds extend over the main road. Going through a stile to walk along a path above the River Kent valley, around a mile, to the other end of the park, lined by trees and with deer. We normally turn back here.
Alternatively you can get across the river by following the lane to a bridge over the river. Turning left takes you back along the other side of the river. Turning right takes you to Sizergh Castle. Perhaps calling in at Sizergh Barn which is cafe, delicatessen, clothing and art shop at a farm enroute to the castle. The Castle has quite a long entrance road so a decision about not going in and carrying on to Levens by the circle route needs taking. It gets too complicated to explain. A map is helpful.
Levens Hall from the inner gateLevens Hall May BloomThe water lily pondThe hahaHazel at LevensTopiary at LevensTopiary at LevensTopiary at Levens with artTopiary at LevensTopiary at LevensThe rose garden at LevensTopiary at LevensTopiary at Levens
Sizergh Castle in April and the garden is beginning to stir.
A typical day for us at Sizergh is to arrive at the Car Park, as NT members we still have to get a parking ticket but there’s no charge. We then have a coffee and perhaps a light bite before looking round the shop and going on a walk.(continued below)
Boots to BorrowIn the barnEarly Spring bedding promiseEarly Spring Vegetable GardenThe rock garden and maplesThe Lyth Valley view on the walkLyth Valley lane on the walkInto the wood for the walkEmerging fondsSizergh Castle from the lake
The walks can be there and back or round in a circle. We favour the walk to St John’s Church at Helsingham, such a simple church, silence reigns, use your card to make a donation. The walk surface has been improved this year. There’s a short but fairly steep climb on a concrete track before it reverts to a gravelly path going to the church.
In front of the church is the wide Lyth Valley with a very flat bottom cut by straight narrow lanes. Over the left is Morecambe Bay, a few miles away, and the River Kent with its railway viaduct at Arnside, better seen with binoculars or a telephoto lens. Across the valley are the peaks of the Lake District.
Turn back making a 2 miles walk or carry on making a 4 to 5 mile walk. Carrying on is always our choice. Along the ‘road’ to the cattle grid then left down a very steep and long slope to Brigsteer and it’s pub. Good views and quiet. Turning left at Brigsteer along the valley side with the steep side to the left and the valley to the right.
Past Brigsteer you can turn off opposite a farm and take a woodland route or go along the lane. The lane is a good option as there is a cottage with very bright floral displays in summer.
On through a wood until you reach more fields when you turn left and head through the fields to Sizergh. There are many walking options. Including a walk to Levens Hall, circular or there and back.
Back at Sizergh it’s lunchtime. Then a walk round the garden and occasionally a viewing of the house. As NT members it’s free entry.
Last stop is the shop. Although NT shops are very similar. Sizergh has home grown apples in autumn and sometimes honey.
It’s a good easy to find place. Nearby is Kendal which is a nice town to visit if you nosey about off the main street. It has a good art gallery too, Abbot Hall, pay to enter. Also nearby is Levens Hall for it’s famous topiary. You might carry on for a few miles to the Lakeland Motor Museum or the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway Holker Hall or a bit north to Blackwell House, near Bowness.
A trip to Rawtenstall to visit the East Lancs Heritage Railway on a Saturday. The ex-GWR Castle Class loco 4079 Pendennis Castle was visiting and would soon return to Didcot. Also running was 45108 a class 45 diesel of the ‘Peak’ class. The first 10 being named after hills such as Helvellyn which was a Class 44 numbered D2.
It wasn’t planned as a long stay at Rawtenstall as a trip to Helmshore Mill was also planned.
The station at Rawtenstall is a pleasant place with a clock, a bar and a carriage that is used as a cafe and railwayana shop. It’s on a curve in the track and has gas lamps, probably not using gas now, and beyond the station is an old mill with an interesting chimney. Behind is a flat topped hill which appears to be in the Manchester direction but isn’t.
Next to the station is a car park used by the station, a pub, a gym and other businesses. Across the track is a retail centre with a large M&S Food, a Costa and other home stores as well as a large car park. There’s also a Tesco towards Rawtenstall which is quite a nice little town centre with a new bus station.
45108 Class 45 diesel arrives at Rawtenstall early morningex GWR 4079 Pendennis Castle arrives at RawtenstallCoupling the steam loco to the carriages, looks quite a job50015 at Rawtenstall
It was a good day for a visit to the East Lancashire Railway and as the Helmshore Mills Textile Museum is only about a mile off the route a visit was made on the way home.
For info the route is to leave the M65 at Junction 5 and take the Grane Road over the hills, it’s nice ride although has average speed cameras. If you’re going to Helmshore Mill it’s just south of Grane Road along Holcombe Road in Helmshore. I’ve never heard of it either.
Helmshore Mill is part of Lancashire County Council Museums. It’s quite a large place and has a decent car park and a cafe.
There are working machines taking you right through the process from cotton balls to carding, spinning, fabric. There is also a history of the process and development of machines. Also on the social changes from the forced trade and shipment of people for the growth and harvesting of cotton to the movement of people from agriculture to industry and growth of mill towns.
The date is the 13th April 2024
A view of the back of the mill.
The machines have a lot of strange names. Amazing to think these machines were all made in Lancashire for hundreds of mills and exported, along with the fabrics. Areas such as Oldham, not too far from here, had newer much bigger mills. This mill is quite early and was a woollen mill, built between 1789 and 1820.
Below is the spinning exhibition in a separate building to the mill.
Below is Arkwright’s Water Frame for spinning. There must be 60 spools on each frame. That’s productivity. Arkwright was born in Preston but driven out after he invented this machine. There’s more about that in our website, Link here
Below is the disused rail link bridge. Not sure what those small bridgelike structures are, they might be supports for the wall.
