BOOTboys

BB1121 : Suitable For The Guests!

Thursday 27th July 2011

Mike thought that today's outing could prove suitable for some of his guests. As there is, therefore, a possibility that this report might be brought to the attention of those staying at the Linthwaite House Hotel, perhaps a few words of warning are needed at the outset for any readers unfamiliar with the BOOTboys.

Please be aware that this is not a detailed guide designed for you to follow but an account bordering on fact of our coverage of the territory described plus references to other related or unrelated aspects. However, it should give you a general impression of what you might encounter. With a decent map and compass (or a good g.p.s.) and the knowledge of how to use them (it), you should be able to follow our steps or something reasonably close and hopefully have an enjoyable expedition! And if you want to tell us of your experiences, you can contact us by clicking on . Or let Mike (the hotel owner) know.

The Linthwaite House Hotel

Today, there was a somewhat artificial constraint applied to our route although I don't think it made much difference. As only two weeks ago (see BB1119) we had walked back from Lakeside to Linthwaite over Gummers How, as far as possible, we wanted to avoid going over the same terrain. I planned a route that ensured that apart from the start and finish half mile, it was all new territory. Unfortunately I forgot to take my map and route with us! Not the only navigational disaster of the day, however.

In fact, there is a short and a long version of this outing, as will become clear. John only intended to do the first half of the route, anticipating that his leg would not survive the full round. Consequently we left his car at Bowland Bridge and Roger drove John and me to Linthwaite. At least that was the intention but when we found ourselves dropping down to Lake Windermere with a clear view over to Lakeside and the estuary we had an even clearer view that something had gone wrong. We were at the south end of the lake, not the middle. Well, those little lanes can be very confusing. Consequently, our ultimate arrival at Linthwaite was rather later than it should have been. Still, Mike had some good sausages awaiting for us to scoff and then off we set.

The walk was through pleasant countryside and was fairly uneventful initially apart from John wanting me to photograph an unusual chimney and Mike trying and failing to look threatening with his bandana.

Chimney pot

Winster House .....

Scary Man?

..... and its stables

However, once we passed Winster House and a tarn that does not appear on the map, a big row broke out. Three of us were sure that we were heading south as we needed so to do. The fourth, who shall remain nameless to protect his blushes, was convinced that we were 180 degrees incorrect and were headed north. He even pulled out his compass to prove it, ignoring the fact that our three compasses all proved the opposite. Unconvinced, he sportingly followed us south!

Brown Horse across the valley

Comitibus: Winster House

Unrecorded tarn below Winster House

The ford near Birks Bridge is interesting, though we cheated and used the footbridge. Cars have no such option.

The ford

A house we passed had a sort of press outside by the log store, The lads were impressed(!) and wanted me to photograph it. Unfortunately I can't now remember what sort of press it was and why it was significant. No doubt one of them will remind me!

The press

Reception committee

As we approached Bowland Bridge, the route was being defended by a group of young bullocks. We were worried? Not at all. You don't need to be able to outrun the bullocks, just the person next to you and three of us reckoned that we could outrun John.

Bowland Bridge

At Bowland Bridge an important decision had to be made (unless you want to do the walk twice). Where to eat?!

There are two pubs in the village.

Up the hill is the Mason's Arms at Strawberry Bank which I fondly remember from a visit in 1973 after climbing Coniston Old Man in the snow.

I recall that the small lounge had settees, a grandfather clock and a coal fire blazing away and before long the soporific effect meant that I was nodding off.

Since those days, it has had a big reputation for its beers and more recently for its food.

Coniston Young Men 1973

Down in the valley is the 17th century coaching inn, Hare & Hounds. Once owned by the footballer Peter Thompson of Liverpool and England fame, it has had a number of metamorphoses over the years, for better or seemingly more often for worse, but was recently taken over by new management of which I had heard good things. Mike confirmed that his experiences were also positive so we decided to make that our half way house (or, for John, the destination).

Mason's Arms or ....

..... Hare & Hounds?

As a precaution we had pre-booked a table for lunch. As it happens, we were there before the pub filled up but had we been further delayed, we might otherwise have had to eat outside which could have proved somewhat distressing as it started to rain quite heavily.

The order was simple- Beer plus Beefburger in a ciabatta all round. I had seen it looking good on their website and Mike vouched for its tastiness. However, what arrived was Beefburger in a bun. Run out of ciabatta and, we were informed, they had not proved popular. Shame! We can, however, vouch for the rest of the beefburger. And the chips. Excellent!

Beer & Beef burger!

seven, eight, nine, ten Alpacas!

Once our lunch was finished, so had the rain. We said farewell to John and the three of us who were walking back to Linthwaite set off past an old car whose number plate would be worth a lot more than the vehicle. Behind was a field with Alpacas.

We headed north along the minor roads and into the Lambhow Plantation with its extremely well way-marked path. There was a short shower but, being in the trees, we hardly noticed. By the time we emerged into bracken land, the rain had stopped.

Through Lambhow plantation

Bracken land

Eventually we rejoined the road near the Holy Trinity church at Winster, which we inspected, inside and out, then continued on our way.

Holy Trinity Church

Inside the church

Across the valley we could see Winster House.

Winster House

At the end of the lane, on the main Lyth Valley road stands the Brown Horse at Winster but we resisted the temptation to stop for another pint.

I remember this pub from 1969, my first winter up here staying in a cottage at Row in the Lyth Valley. It was much smaller than it is now but featured a bar billiards table. Being the Leeds University 1966 Mexico Olympics Bar Billiards Champion (the only competition of its ilk I ever won), I was delighted to see it. I don't recall ever having seen another one (or even that one) in a pub since.

The Brown Horse

The Old Post Office 1600

At the Brown Horse we had a choice of routes. My original plan was to go up the minor road behind the pub then drop back down to the main road where it joins Lindeth Lane. The others favoured the more direct approach to Lindeth Lane. Shorter, yes. Less hilly, definitely. Busier, probably. And there is no pavement! What there is, however, is a very old post office- dated 1600!

Once on Lindeth Lane, Mike reassured me that he knew the way back and I could stand down from navigational duties.

We successfully worked our way round Lindeth with its Victorian post box (photographed for Tony).

Shortly afterwards Mike realised that we were no longer approaching Linthwaite from the bridle path but would have to join the Kendal road and then drop down in order to climb the hotel drive.

He explained that this detour had been designed to ensure that our outing reached double figures in mileage terms.

He was right.

The Victorian post box

Approaching Linthwaite from below

Reaching the hotel

The view from Linthwaite terrace

As we sat on the Linthwaite terrace drinking tea, we reflected on what a good walk it had been. Quite different to a Lakeland outing and not one with extensive mountain or lake views but a pleasant stroll through varied countryside with an enjoyable break at the midpoint.

Don, 28th July 2011

STATISTICS:

BB1121	Thursday 28th July
Distance in miles:	10.4 (JPL 5.1)
Height climbed in feet:	1,343 (JPL 508)
Wainwrights:	--
Other Features:	Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge
Comitibus:	Don, John PL, Mike, Roger T

BOOTboys routes ares now being put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading BB1121.

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see
Which Wainwright When?

For the latest totals of the mileages and heights see: BB Log.

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