TAKE a short walk by the rivers Rawthey and Dee at Sedbergh and enjoy a mixture of fields, buildings and river scenery, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. The route offers fine views of the Howgills over the town and finishes with a pleasing descent along part of the Dales Way and through the pretty hamlet of Millthrop. The name Dee, which is shared by rivers in Scotland and Wales, derives from ‘deva’ meaning goddess.

Start from Joss Lane Car Park, in the centre of Sedbergh (map reference SD 658 921, postcode LA10 5AB).

INFORMATION

Distance: 4.25 miles with 600 feet of ascent

Time: 2 hours

Terrain: good footpaths

Maps: OS Explorer OL19

ROUTE

1 From the car park turn right and at the end of Main Street left down Finkle Street. Turn right onto a footpath after the church then left around the cricket field on the path signed Birks. Keep straight on through a gate to cross a field to Busk Lane. Turn right then left down Birks Lane to go around the playing field by the cemetery. Pass Rawthey Cottage and keep left to cross the River Rawthey via Birks footbridge. Birks Mill was established as a cotton and wool mill in 1790, became a bobbin mill with dying and cleaning works by the 1880s and was used for egg packing in the later 20th Century. The new bridge, which opened in November 2016, replaces one washed away by Storm Desmond. Follow the riverside footpath to the right, through a wood (called Elysian Shades) to a field, then right on the path signed Abbot Holme and over the golf course to a road. Turn right and cross the River Dee via Abbot Holme Bridge. Near here are several mounds and hut circles indicating ancient settlement possibly of the Iron Age. Turn left onto the footpath signed Rash Bridge.

2 Walk beside the golf course alongside the River Dee. In 1877, Alexander Doleman, a master at Sedbergh School, introduced the game of golf to his pupils. Sedbergh Golf Club was founded in 1896. Cross a stream then ascend Mound to a field gate. Walk through woodland to a gate then along a path beside bracken and enjoy views over Sedbergh to the Howgills. Follow the wall/fence on the right to a roadside stile. Turn left and walk along the riverside road past Rash Mill (originally a woollen mill) and Dent Foot Methodist Chapel. It is said that Rash Mill inspired the folk song The Jolly Miller of Dee but it may have been based on the River Dee at Chester. Turn left to cross Rash Bridge.

3 At the road junction turn right then after passing Silverdale Cottage, left onto a footpath signed Millthrop. Walk up the field to a ladder stile and continue uphill keeping left, to the top corner of woodland. Cross a wall stile and turn left on the bridleway signed Dales Way. Continue along the waymarked Dales Way. At the road turn right and walk through the pretty hamlet of Millthrop. Millthrop Mill was established in 1796, initially as a cotton mill and later for making horse blankets. It burnt down spectacularly in 1967 and private houses took its place. Turn left then at the main road right. Cross the bridge and continue up the road past the school (possibly Sedbergh’s main claim to fame) and back to where the walk started.

Next week: Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell

NB: restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.