The Great Outdoors – July 2019

Always take a map and compass with you. ©Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey. Media 051/19

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Start/Finish

Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite

GR: NY230322

From pub, walk S through village.

Turn L at T-junction and L again.

(^2)
At L bend, climb stile on R.
Cross Chapel Beck.
Indistinct paths head E and then
generally SE across farmland
to road.
(^3)
Turn R for 460m. Take path
on L.
(^4)
Follow sparse line of
hedgerow SSE up slope.
The Watches
Lake District ENGLAND
9.2km/5.7 miles/3 hours
Ascent 360m/1175ft^4
THE WATCHES are an
unusual formation of
exposed volcanic rocks set
among the slates at the base
of Skiddaw’s westernmost
spur. Although less than
1100ft above sea level, they
occupy lonely, heather-
covered moorland that
feels surprisingly high
and windswept.
I’ve come up here in late
summer to gaze on the silver-
coloured rocks while they’re
surrounded by the purple
blooms of the flowering
heather and the vivid greens
of the grasses, mosses and
bilberry. I approached
from the north – from the
village of Bassenthwaite,
along quiet lanes and across
gently rolling farmland.
Bridleway then turns NE before
meandering S to gate into
Southerndale.
(^5)
Walk up W side of valley
and then swing up onto
ridge. Walk N, past The Watches
and down to wall. Turn R to drop
back to gate into Southerndale
and return to waypoint 4.
Follow bridleway NE, then
using permissive route S of
Barkbeth and through wooded
Barkbeth Gill.
(^6)
Turn R along track near Hole
House to cross bridge.
Continue NE, ford Mill Beck and
follow track to road. Turn R.
(^7)
Nearing Peter House Farm,
take bridleway on L. Keep
straight on at crossing of
bridleways and follow field paths
back to Bassenthwaite. Turn R at
road to return to pub.
Gradient profile Metres above sea level
Vivienne Crow
investigates
a Lakeland
enigma
The Great Outdoors July 2019 91