A lovely walk that takes you around The Helm

1. Take the footpath going up beside the village hall past an electricity pylon, through a gap to the left of a wall, across a wall stile, alongside a hedge on the left then down to Hawkrigg Lane. Cross the lane (left then right), walk past Hawkrigg End Farm on the left, over a stile and beck in the bottom left corner then across the field to a wall stile. Go around the right of the hill to a farm track, through a gate on the left and uphill to pass the large house of Holme Park on the right. Go past a private entrance and beside the hedge on the right to a stile in the corner and descend to Beehive Lane. Turn left then right past the white house and walk up to a gate at the top of the field. Turn left; go through Windy Hill Farm yard on a concrete lane, out over a wall stile, then bear right. A panoramic view of Kendal appears suddenly. Go through a gate and left alongside a wall to houses at Hayfellside. Turn right then left, past a stable and across a driveway, then along a track leading to Hayclose Road. Continue ahead to pass the Station Inn and cross the main road. Bear left and ascend The Helm.

2. Walk up the ridge to the summit of The Helm. Half of the area is owned and managed by Friends of the Lake District and fell ponies are helping the environment to regenerate naturally. After a steep descent turn left to exit through a kissing gate. Cross a lane onto a concrete track past Helm End Farm, through the gate at East Barn then left over a wall stile. Cross the beck ahead on the left then walk alongside the hedge and wall on the left. Turn left on the lane at High House Farm. Go over a cattle grid, turn right onto the footpath and cross a footbridge. Turn left to walk alongside St. Sunday’s Beck, through a wood, across a field and alongside the hedge to Low Bleaze. Follow a concrete lane to Popplemire Lane. Turn right, cross the bridge then turn left and walk alongside Peasey Beck to Beckside. Turn left, cross the bridge and view attractive falls on the right.

3. At Old Hutton cross the B6254 to the left of the Public Hall and walk over the park to the opposite corner. Cross the field, go through a gated enclosure and turn right alongside a fence on the right. At the lane road turn right then veer off left to a fence stile. Walk along the road ahead signed Ewebank. Turn left at the junction and take the next left. Where the road bends 90 degrees left go straight on a green bridleway alongside a beck on the right. Keep right at the road into New Hutton and turn right onto a bridleway. Pass St Stephen’s church to meet the road at the village institute where the walk began.