Mount Barnard, despite its grand name is only a little hill, standing at just over 500 feet high, it's the most southerly point of a 5 mile long ridge which runs from Newby Bridge at the foot of Windermere to Morecambe Bay. The Cumbria Coastal Way long distance path runs below it but it's never been worth the short diversion from that path to climb Mount Barnard because its slopes and summit have, for decades, been covered in a dense pine forest. Besides the hill has always been off limits because it has been used to rear pheasants for the shooting season. Last year most of the trees were felled and the 'Strictly Private' gate has been left wide open, a too good an opportunity to miss - so off we went to see what the view was like from the summit. after all it's supposed to be legendary.
On the lane towards Low Bank Side Farm
Hampsfell across the valley from the Low Bank Side lane
Opposite the farm we take a public footpath up the now denuded Low Bank Side Wood. It was clear felled about three years ago of its pines and replanted last year with about 2,000 beech and oak whips, though the self seeded birches seem to be growing much quicker.
Newton Fell from the Low Bank Side footpath.
A wall stile at the top of Low Bank Side Wood gives access to Salesbrook Wood, a lovely place.
We leave Salesbrook Wood via another wall stile and descend a small field to join the Cumbria Coastal Way.
Lovely Scots Pines in this field, there used to be lots more in Low Bank Side Wood.
On the Cumbria Coastal Way track along Holker Bank.
The 'mighty' Mount Barnard soon comes into view.
Just to the right of the track is The Frog Stone which is about three feet high. There used to be pre-historic stone circle here, 126 yards in circumfernce, the Frog and two other stones stood in line to one side of it, the circle survived until the mid 1700's. All this was once common land where landless peasants could graze their few animals. Holker Bank was enclosed under one of the numerous Parliamentary Inclosure Acts which in effect extinguished the centuries old commoners rights. The stones of the pre-historic circle were removed to use in the enclosure walls, only the 'Frog' remains as a witness to those times.
Looking back along Holker Bank, We found a clue for a birthday 'treasure hunt trail' beside the Frog Stone. One person is standing beside the stone with another approaching it. We presumed they were on that trail.
From the top of Holker Bank we turn left through a wooden gate.
Continuing on the Cumbria Coastal Way along a walled lane
A peep over the wall to Mount Barnard, last year all you could see from here was a dark and dismal pine forest.
Starting the ascent of Mount Barnard from the open gate, old forest roads which wind around the slope makes this a easy climb, but it's steeper than it looks.
Looking west across the devastated Mount Barnard's southern slope, the Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill is visible over the How Barrow Plantation.
How Barrow from the summit of Mount Barnard with the tops of the Coniston Fells on the right.
Cartmel and Hampsfell from the summit of Mount Barnard.
Looking south-east to the Forest of Bowland hills.
The view south over the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay. The roll of wire and fence on the right are part of the ruined pheasant rearing compound.
Chapel Island and the Furness Peninsular.
Ulverston across the Leven Estuary.
Gummer's How in the centre with Red Screes and Caudale Moor to the left.
How Barrow from the descent of Mount Barnard.