Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Castlehead, Keswick 19th May 2010


Our walk started from Keswick heading to The Heads, and then on passing The Hope park on the right and on the left the Theatre By The Lake and down past the nearby boat landing stages. Almost opposite the landing stage we turned left and followed the footpath through the mixed woodland of Cockshot Wood. Here there where several singing birds but only a Chiffchaff amongst the warblers. There was plenty of bluebells, Ramsons, etc.

After leaving this wood a short footpath up to the main B5289 and crossing over into Castlehead Woods, with mature trees and a moderate climb up to the Castlehead viewpoint which gave you absolutely superb views (see photos) especially over Derwentwater with Cat Bells to our South West, and today Skiddaw was shrouded in mist. We had been strongly recommended about this viewpoint and we certainly had not been dissapointed. You could also see the bottom of Bassenthwaite coming into view from your right (or Northerly side). A pair of Ravens were "honking" and heading in the Castlerigg direction...

Coming down through the woodland (Castlehead Wood), we made our way, and walked through to Ings Wood (National Trust). This is the place where we saw the frogs mating two or three months ago..


On our way back we approached the Lake edge on its shingle shoreline in Strandshag Bay. We then climbed up to the John Ruskin monument and took photos from on Friars Crag, before heading back to the bus station at Keswick.. Click over photos once, and then again for full enlargement...