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Ulverston - Originally granted
a market charter by Edward Ist in 1280 Ulverston is still a vibrant
market town which retains an aura of grandeur reflecting its importance
in days gone by. Cobbled streets, alleyways and hidden places
all waiting to be discovered makes this friendly town a place
you will want to linger. Having a reputation as a 'Festival Town'
with plenty of street entertainment throughout the year you may
well be tempted to pay a return visit after your walk! |
 Do you have a recomendation of accommodation, cafe, inn etc from along the route of the Cumbria Way? Why not let me know and I will add it to these pages for others to learn from? E-mail me with your recommendations - dik@thecumbriaway.info  Barrow Monument - Hoad Hill, Ulverston Monument to local boy made good John Barrow who became Second Secretary to the Admiralty, wrote an acclaimed book about China, travelled with Lord Macartney in Africa and helped to found the Geographic Society. The monument was built to resemble Eddystone Lighthouse and was erected in 1848. If there is a flag flying then it is open to the public but take a walk up there anyhow to prepare you for the hills to come! Laurel & Hardy Museum - Upper Brook Street The slim one of Laurel and Hardy fame, Stan Laurel, was born in Ulverston in 1890. Once the worlds only official Laurel and Hardy museum the late Bill Cubin's lifetime collection of memorabilia and the small cinema which shows Laurel and Hardy films throughout the day makes this a must visit. Ulverston Canal Built in 1796 and situated approximately 0.75 mile from the town centre the canal was originally built to transport goods from Morecambe Bay to the town centre and to export goods world wide. The canal is almost 1 mile long, and is the deepest and widest in England. It closed in the 1940's and the canal is now a haven of wildlife and a popular flat walk for local people and visitors. Beacon Tarn - the route winds around the edge of Beacon Tarn and many Cumbria Way'ers take the opportunity to visit Beacon Fell for its glorious views of the Coniston Fells. Coniston Water The route travels along the shore of Coniston Water offering some magical views. Coniston Hall - the massive chimneys of Coniston Hall are easily spotted. With a history dating back to 1270, the present building dates from 1580 and is owned by the National Trust. The hall is on the grounds of a compsite very convenient for Coniston and Cumbria Way'ers. |
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Leaving Ulverston follow a clear path beside a stream then a left turn up a walled path before navigating your way through fields to pass Old Hall Farm and on through fields and over stiles eventually arriving a road at Higher Lath Farm. Walk downhill for a short stretch on road before a left turn takes you through fields to reach Hollowmire. Follow the access road for Hollowmire to a minor road and turn left before taking a right hand path leading to St John's chuch from where a road leads towards the hamlet of Broughton Beck. Your route now follows Broughton Beck for some of the way, crossing over a series of stiles before joining an unclassified road leading to Knapperhowe. Well worn tracks and paths now lead you onwards to enter the Lake District National Park near Gawthwaite. The ground now starts to rear up around you as you follow the route leading eventually past a series of farms and leading toTottlebank where you start your ascent to Beacon Tarn. The official route follows the western shore of the tarn but why not go on the opposite side and climb Beacon Fell to visit the summit. The viewsacross to the Coniston Fells are superb from here and once you have enjoyed them enough a steep descent from Beacon Tarn leads down to Stable Harvey Moss where the path is very thin on the ground - keep to the southern side to meet a minor road at a hairpin bend. A short climb on the road before a left turn which leads to Torver Tarn from where you follow the beck down to Sunny Bank. Cross over the main road (opt out here for refreshments at Torver 1 mile away if needed) and head down to the shoreline at Coniston over a small rise The lakeshore path alongside Coniston is pretty rugged in places so whilst admiring the views don't forget to watch where you are putting your feet! The path is clear throughout this stretch as it passes through patchy woodland, as the trees start to clear you approach Consiton Hall Campsite and the chunky chimneys of Consiton Hall. All that is left for you to do today is folow the field path and short raod walk into Coniston for some much deserved refreshments at one of the excellent inns or cafes to complete your first day on the Cumbria Way.
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