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Hampsfell from the Hampsfell Hall Farm access lane which leads off Old Town Hill road. There is a long lay-by a little further along the road which provides ample parking |
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Approaching Hampsfell Hall Farm |
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A signpost indicates the right of way which leads along a farm track between the barns |
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Hampsfell Hall was built in 1635. Behind the Hall, a little further up the slope, are the remains of a medieval pele tower which was demolished in 1814 and its materials used to extend the farm's outbuidings |
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The farm track is only followed for 250 yards to a gate which gives access to a green path rising through a pasture |
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The path climbs up to and follows the edge of Heaning Wood |
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looking over to the Coniston Fells |
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looking over to White Stone and Saskills on Newton Fell |
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A gate by the edge of Heaning Wood gives access to another pasture |
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A distant view of thhe Langdale Pikes from the gate |
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The Coniston Fells from higher on the second pasture |
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The path curves around the edge of Heaning Wood at the top of the pasture |
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Saskills from the top of the second pasture |
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Another gate gives access to Forestry Commission land |
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The path splits we take the right fork which climbs south through Hampsfield Allotment |
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The thin path initially passes through a dense area of coppiced trees ..... |
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..... but soon emerges onto more open slopes |
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The Forestry Commission have removed all of the pine trees in Hampsfield Allotment to allow the native trees to regenerate |
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Newton Fell from Hampsfield Allotment |
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The Langdale Pikes over Denning Wood |
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The path broadens as it gains height through the sparse woodland |
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Cartmel comes into view, the stumps of the pine trees can be seen on the slope above Denning Wood |
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Approaching the two erratic limestone boulders known as Robin Hood and Little John |
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The Coniston Fells and the Langdale Pikes across the Cartmel Valley |
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Cartmel from one of the boulders which is about six feet high |
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The upper part of the Cartmel Valley |
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Robin Hood and Little John ....or is the other way round! |
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The summit of Hampsfell comes into view |
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Looking across the middle part of the Cartmel Valley |
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The Forestry Commission uses conservation grazing by cattle to aid regenaration, this calf is busy nibbling away at some invasive thorn shrubbery |
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To the left is a long line of limestone escarpment |
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Looking back some of the higher fells appear on the horizon incuding Helvellyn, Red Screes and High Street |
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Leaving Hampsfell Allotment by a handgate in its enclosure wall |
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The path splits beyond Hampsfell Allotment enclosure wall ..... |
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..... we continue on the left branch as it runs below the limestone escarpment |
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Looking back to the handgate in the Hampsfield Allotment enclosure wall |
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The path approaches a wide gap in the limestone escarpment |
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The Coniston Fells from the gap in the limestone escarpment |
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A path continues on through the gap to approach the summit from the east |
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We continue straight ahead directly towards the summit |
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Looking over the escarpment gap to the Kent Estuary |
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The summit should come into view on passing the tree on the right |
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Lots of cattle on the fell today |
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The hospice on the summit comes into view |
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Approaching Hampsfell Hospice |
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The Reverend Thomas Remington who was vicar of Cartmel between 1835-1854 made a habit of walking to the top of Hampsfell every morning before breakfast and in thanksgiving for all the beauty he had seen, he had the hospice built as a shelter for travellers. There are stone steps inset into the north wall to access the roof which serves as a viewing platform. The interior is furnished with stone seats and a fireplace |
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Looking north from the summit of Hampsfell to Helvellyn and Red Screes on the left with the Far Eastern Fells of Caudale Moor and High Street on the right |
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The Howgills from the summit of Hampsfell |
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Ingleborough from the summit of Hampsfell |
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The Kent Estuary from the summit of Hampsfell |
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The Forest of Bowland hills from the summit of Hampsfell |
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Morecambe Bay from the summit of Hampsfell |
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The Leven Estuary and the Furness Peninsula from the summit of Hampsfell |
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Black Combe from the summit of Hampsfell |
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The Coniston Fells from the summit of Hampsfell |