Bassenthwaite

Monday, 2nd May 2011

 

Walk: Mirehouse, St Begas Church, Ravenstone, Ling How, Ullock Pike, Longside Edge, Long Side, Carl Side, White Stones, Dodd, Skill Beck
Start Point: Dodd Wood Visitor Centre Grid Ref: NY 235 281
Distance: 8.24 miles Ascent: 2,900 feet
Time: 5.75 hours
Weather:

Sunny but cold with strong winds again.

Comments:


Parking at the osprey centre we walked towards Bassenthwaite Lake and visited the picturesque St Begas Church.  Crossing the A591 near the Ravenstone Hotel we took the steep path to join the Allerdale Ramble for a short time before cutting across to Ling How. Rejoining the Allerdale Ramble we climbed The Edge and the rocky ascent to Ullock Pike. At times the wind was very strong but we did benefit from the shelter of the ascents in front of us. The route then led across to Longside Edge, the highest point on this steep-sided ridge. Wainwright lists this summit as 'Long Side'. Continuing on to the wide plateau of Carl Side we had a good view of the diagonal path to Skiddaw (our original target but abandoned because of the very strong winds). From here we navigated the steep shale path to White Stones. From here we took a right turn to make a diagonal descent to the bottom of Dodd. A wide track took us up to the summit, reversing the route for the descent. Making our way through the trees we descended to the car park.

 

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Heading through the grounds of Mire House . . .

 

looks like they have included elephants in their livestock!

 

Approaching St Begas Church . . .

 

with the present building dating from pre-Norman times

 

The Church was visited by Wordsworth, Tennyson and Carlyle. More recently it provided the setting for Melvyn Bragg's novel Credo.

 

The church yard looks out over Bassenthwaite to the Wythop Fells . . .

 

and is used for twice monthly services and more frequently for weddings . . .

 

for which it is in a perfect setting

 

Looking over Bassenthwaite to Barf and the more distant North-Western Fells

 

The summit of Ullock Pike . . .

 

with views down to Dodd, Derwent Water and the North-Western Fells . . . 

 

and on to Longside Edge

 

Long Side summit, looking North . . .

 

East to Skiddaw . . .

 

and back to Ullock Pike

 

It doesn't look far to the Skiddaw path - you just can't see the dip beyond the Carl Side plateau

 

Time to head down . . .

 

taking in views of Derwent Water - with Pike o' Stickle in the centre . . .

 

and Cat Bells surrounded by the more lofty fells

 

From the climb to Dodd we can see the Solway Firth and the Scottish Mountains

 

An impressive slate marker graces the summit of Dodd . . .

 

and Bassenthwaite still looks great in the sun

 

The descent gives a closer view of Keswick and Derwent Water . . .

 

and the sun creates a study in light and shade as we make our way back through Dodd Wood

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