Newby Bridge and Bigland Barrow

Jim Grindle

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This is a lovely, tranquil ramble over lower Lakeland fells on the fringe of the National Park. We met nobody at all in mid-week, so it might be a good refuge for times when the Lakes are crowded, or a chance to walk when the higher fells have poor weather. The going is mostly fairly good and the five stiles are all towards the end of the walk. The views were not good on the day that we walked it, but I know that they are excellent on better days.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South West

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Moor, Mountains, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Wildlife, Woodland

3/17/2016 - Donnie Mathers

A good walk, however the bridleway from WP3 - 5 is a well used farm track and heavily churned. Similarly, from WP 20 - 23 lots of churning but by livestock this time. Parking and services around Newby Bridge quite limited while The Swan Inn is closed. The section up through the woods from the River Leven is lovely, Bigland Tarn beautiful, and the views as you walk along to Hard Crag and the tower are stunning.

12/10/2014 - Richard Jones

Delightful and quiet walk. Done it twice now. It is easy to get lost between 20 and 22 - can only suggest avoid veering too much downhill away from the left hand wall until you reach the stream at 21. Maintain only a gentle descent between 20 and 21. At WM23 the signpost has been replaced and now reads 'Crook Hill 1/2m'.

10/31/2014 - Richard Cantrill

This is a lovely walk and would like to do it again, however we got lost at point 20 after the tower, can you give any tips?

8/23/2014 - Robert Hughes

A very pleasant ramble with excellent distant views of the Lake District Hills and the estuaries to the South. Red Screes is particularly striking between the Fairfield and Kentmere horseshoes. Even in summer the ground can be quite wet in places and so waterproof footwear is essential. The directions were generally clear though some of the paths are less well used and in the summer can be overgrown though not impassable. In some areas there are multiple paths so keeping an eye on the map and in particular the relationship between paths and walls should help. WM6: The last sentence of WM5 tempted me up the more distinct path up to the left - in fact I should have gone right as made clear by the next instruction. I realised when I came to a wall where I could follow a marked path down hill to join correct route. I also ended up joining the minor road just south of WM7 by missing a right turn at a junction of paths about 200m before WM7. WM16: The path ahead is to the left of the high wire fence enclosure and towards the red topped post and through a part broken gate. WM17-18 You can go over the step-stile and go round the small tarn keeping it on your right to see the metal gate, or pass the tarn on your left to see a wooden gate at the divide of paths. This wooden gate cannot be opened but there is an obscured pedestrian gate just down the wall on its right. WM18(2nd)-22: No pigs today (see previous comment) but the path was indistinct and overgrown in places. Again there were many side paths but follow the most distinct and you'll eventually reach the wall just before WM22 which is in the corner of the 'field'. WM22-23: The metal gate mentioned is now wooden. WM26-27: The stile ahead is just to the left of a small group of holly and hawthorn bushes. Hope all this helps.

4/1/2012 - Sarah Freshwater

This is an excellent walk and, as suggested, good to do when you have had enough of the crowds on the more popular walks. The Swan Inn is a huge hotel/spa so plenty of parking available - they have a good bar with a couple of real ales and their location right on the river makes it an ideal place for a post-walk drink as they have a long terrace. Please be aware that after you return to waymark 18 from the tower, the path toward the stream goes through a very long field as it follows the yellow waymarks on the posts etc. To access the field there is a gate and as we approached we were surprised to be greeted by about 6 pigs which immediately surrounded the gate and therefore we would not suggest opening it for fear of an escape! We clambered over it and the pigs just ignored us as we continued on our way however you should be aware as the field has many shrubs and overgrown areas so others may get a shock if the pigs emerge from some distance into it. Used to sheep and cows but this was a new one for us!