March 7 Barbon

March 7 Barbon (nr Kirkby Lonsdale)

Good weather, spring in the air
four great walks, then a drink or two at the Barbon Inn– sounds good !
A, B+,B & C walks staged a mass start from a layby just outside the village of Barbon.

		A walk was led by Mike James -who clearly likes his pint! photos John Hodgson, Derek Pratt, John Jones
Suitably refreshed, a circular 13.5 miles began with an ascent to Eskholme Pike.
		despite disputes over ownership of the map
then to Castle Knott
and eventually to Calf Top(609metres)

Plenty of good views from on top of the ridge overlooking Dentdale and the Howgills then dropping gently back into the Lune valley, then field paths en route to Barbon


B+ walk was led by Roger Lewis photos John Hodgson
		A circular 10.5 miles, began through the woods of Barbondale following the Barbon Beck

		Away South from the beck we started climbing to the high point of Barbon Fell (437metres)
		Before reaching the village of Casterton we pass several square sheep folds each containing a large boulder: interesting if nothing else and made in 1993 as part of the UK visual Arts in Cumbria by Andy Goldsworthy. There are 16 sheep folds in all.
. We return to Barbon passing through Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club and following the Barbon Beck again.

B- walk was led by Mike Higgins A circular 8.5 miles at a slower pace than B+ but with the same height gain and with a shorter route back missing Casterton and the golf course, but passing the stately home Whelprigg (now a holiday let).
The 'C' group's walk ,led by David Whitehurst, was a nine mile circular walk photos by David Whitehurst
		across the fields via Langthwaite to High Casteron
and on for lunch in Kirkby Longsdale overlooking the river .
		The return took in Casterton Hall and the meadow land alongside the Lune, before crossing the local golf course enroute to Barbon and it's delightful inn.

In the delightful Inn


Finally, Spare a thought for the casualties!

Really Finally Historical note on Casterton, by Roger Lewis Half the village seems to consist of Casterton girls school, a private boarding school, costing about £6,000 a term, famous for the Bronte sisters having been to school here, but not exactly. In 1824 the four Bronte sisters went to the Clergy Daughters School at Cowan Bridge (a few miles SE of Kirkby Lonsdale), only staying about a year, however Maria and Elizabeth died from consumption soon after returning to Haworth. The poor conditions while at school were largely to blame. In 1833 Cowan Bridge School was moved to Casterton.