Brown Robin Nature Reserve

Just beyond the streets of Grange Over Sands lies the peaceful haven of Brown Robin Nature Reserve. The reserve has belonged to Cumbria Wildlife Trust since 1980 and at this time of year has a fabulous display of wild flowers that are typical of a limestone woodland. The walk around the reserve is well signposted and is only about a mile and a half, but we did have a little trouble finding a way in. In the end we followed the drive of the Netherwood Hotel, up to  their upper car park and then followed a sign to Blawith Farm and Brown Robin Cottages. Close to the farm is the gate (shown in photos below). There is a small sign there to show that it is a Cumbria Wildlife Trust property, but it has grown over with brambles and is not very easy to spot. Once you get to this point, just follow the white marker posts and arrows.

Palm Sunday

The week before Easter and some fantastic, warm Spring weather to encourage us out onto the fells. At this time of year we often stay low down in the valleys for our walks. This is because there are so many new spring flowers coming into bloom and if you start to climb higher, they all disappear. Just a few hundred feet up the mountains and it can feel like you are walking back into winter. However this particular weekend was so warm that it tempted up back up into the fells.

The blue waters of the copper mines beck.

Industrial remains. The old support for the waterwheel and a rusting chain.

A view of Coniston Old Man and the Coppermines Valley.

A slice gate on a former watercourse. Management of water was always a crucial issue in the copper mines.

Fading into the past, the initials of former mine workers carved into the wood of the slice gate.

Bell Crag with Bell intake infant. There is a broken down cottage in the trees at the back of the green field and the green area is the small holding for the cottage that would have been cultivated in past times. Long since abandoned, Bell Cottage is now used as a sheep fold.

Coming down to Mill Dam and Coniston.

Brantwood Gardens in Spring

 Brantwood Gardens, Coniston

There's lots to see in the gardens at Brantwood at the moment and all of the time I was wandering around, I was seeing things about to come into bloom, so I must get back there again very soon.

The daffodils are still looking good and there are quite a few fritillaries in amongst them.

There's a good selection of different helibores on display.

Rydal & Grasmere

Many years ago we discovered this walk that involved the circumnavigation of two lakes. The walk became a firm favourite for us, partly due to the fact that there are so many variations to the walk. Then about twenty years ago the walk suddenly became extremely popular, with people doing the two lakes and some people just doing various sections of the walk. Today we decided to do the walk before the tourists return to the area for the summer and the walk gets too busy. We may have left it just a little too late and probably won't do the walk again now until the start of next year.

We parked at Pelter Bridge near Rydal and walked up to Rydal quarry under Loughrigg. The quarry has been closed since the 1950s and makes for some interesting exploration, with the 'cave' being a popular destination.

Taken from near the quarry, the view across Rydal Water to Rydal Nab.

The view from Loughrigg Terraces, down Grasmere to the village and beyond to Dunmail Raise.

From Loughrigg Terraces we entered Deerbolt Woods.

Walking along the shores of Grasmere, there are plenty of seats to enjoy the views. It was a little cold for sitting around this morning!

From Grasmere (after a coffee stop) we took the old road up past Dove Cottage. The route from here to Rydal is known as 'The Coffin Road', but we have always preferred to call it 'Poets Walk'. The route was much used by Wordsworth, Southey, De Quincy and Coleridge and besides, it's a much nicer name. The heron was perched high above a pond alongside the road, carrying come nesting material for some ongoing repairs no doubt.

It was a little surprising to see this beautiful peacock butterfly. The cold wind made it seem like an unlikely day to be spotting butterflies. The peacock is one that can overwinter, with the young not taking flight until much later in the summer.

The sides of the track had lots of violets.

A look back towards Rydal Water as we entered the village near Dora's Field and Rydal Mount.