written by John Edmondson

Sedbergh

This is a pleasant, fairly easy scenic walk in a corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It follows the course of the River Rawthey from Sedbergh downstream to Middleton Bridge and back along the other side. Although the route reaches no hilltops it offers good views of the majestic Howgills. It also provides an opportunity to see the recently restored Pepperpot.

Start from New Bridge, Sedbergh (Map ref SD 665 919).

Information:

Distance: 8 miles, ascent: 630 feet

Time: 4 hours

Terrain: grassy footpaths, tracks and roads.

Map: OS Explorer OL19 + OL2

Route

1 From the bridge, walk along the off-road footpath signed Sedbergh, around a tennis court, through a squeeze stile and behind the Old Vicarage. Follow the stony track then go left through a metal kissing gate. Walk past Winder House, go through a gated stile and at a second stile turn left onto a minor road, passing a cricket field. Turn right before the bridge onto a footpath signed Birks, across a field to a wood above the river. The route goes through former gardens of Akay lodge, which burnt down in 1939, along a sunken path. Turn right through a kissing gate into a field to the recently restored Pepperpot building. The building is thought to have been built for Akay owner’s daughter, who developed tuberculosis at the age of 18. It was believed that living in the light and airy building would kill tuberculosis bacteria. Unfortunately, she died aged 21. Pepperpot fell into disrepair and in 1948 a cow forced its way in to the building and up the spiral staircase.

2 Descend to a big tree towards the river, past a white house and Birks Barn. Walk down the tarmacked lane onto a footpath signed Brigflatts and along a narrow riverside path. The River Dee joins the Rawthey opposite here. Cross over the high railway embankment of the Lune Valley Railway, which closed in 1965. Continue along the riverside path to the A683; turn right and after 100 yards, left onto a bridleway signed Ingmire Back Lane. On reaching the A684 turn left onto a footpath signed Killington Bridge. Follow the farm track, and in the second field bear right at a fingerpost (missing finger) to a kissing gate. Bear right and walk near the bottom of the wide valley. Turn left onto a footpath signed High Oaks and at the hamlet go straight on, following the track behind the houses, then right along a tarmac lane to a junction. Turn left and follow the lane past a barn with a plaque dedicated to the Boys Brigade. Turn right onto the A683 and walk for quarter of a mile being alert of traffic, then turn left to step over two stiles onto a riverside footpath. Aim for a stile and footbridge in front of a bank topped by a power line pylon. Walk along the fence at the top of the bank to Middleton Bridge. The River Rawthey merges with the Lune downstream of the bridge.

3 Cross the bridge and turn left onto a bridleway going uphill to a disused railway bridge. Cross this bridge and turn left through a permissive access field then right onto the railway embankment. After going over a road bridge continue straight ahead along a bridleway curving to the left around a boggy area and along a tumbled pair of walls. There is a good view over a pond on the left towards Winder Fell. Go through a gate and alongside a wall then head directly towards Sedbergh, which can be seen in the distance. The path converges with a tarmacked lane soon after going below power cables. Bear left onto the road with a narrow bridge warning sign, across the River Dee, then turn left onto the footpath signed Birks. Cross the golf course and ascend to a wicket gate into woods beside the River Lune. At the next gate turn right to go along the right side of a field. The path bends to the right to meet a minor road. Turn left and keep right onto the road with a 20 mph sign. Walk through Millthrop and turn left immediately after a pink house then follow the riverside footpath to the right and return to New Bridge.

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.