Name of walk	Hampsfell from Cartmel
Date of walk	2015-11-22
Distance walked (miles)	7
Duration of walk	5 hours 25 minutes
Weather	Sunshine, but cold.
Peaks on walk	Hampsfell
Walked with	Brendan
Parking	Main road, Cartmel.

On Sunday Brendan and I did a walk from Cartmel walking over Hampsfell following the Cistercian Way. We visited Hampsfell Hospice and continued down to Grange-Over-Sands for lunch. We then took the train to Cark and rejoined the Cistercian Way back to Cartmel. A walk of seven miles.

A view to Cartmel Priory.

We join the Cistercian Way across the fields to Hampsfell.

Looking back to Cartmel as we follow the field edge.

Ahead is Pit Farm.

As you head up beside a field wall there is a view out to sea.

Across a field on the left is a folly.

View back to Cartmel from the start of the steeper climb.

View towards the hills.

We meet a group of 30 ramblers from Liverpool heading for Cartmel.

Once height is gained there are some excellent views out to Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man. Yesterday they were covered in snow, not much is left today.

At the top we turn left for Hampsfell Hospice. There are dark clouds above us which puts us in shade for the duration of our visit to Hampsfell.

The Hospice was constructed in 1846 by the vicar of Cartmel. The Greek inscription on the front translates as "Rosy-fingered dawn". There are good views to be had from the top.

Sunshine on the hills.

A moody view across Morecambe Bay to Heysham Power Station.

The limestone pavement below.

On the roof of the hospice is a list of fells with numbers beside them. You move the pointer around the numbers to identify which fell is which.

I actually have to use flash for this photo!

Easier up than down!

Inside the Hospice there are four boards.

We head off to get a closer look at the grikes and clints of the limestone pavement.

Morecambe Bay.

Cows looking down on Grange-Over-Sands.

A sheep by the cairn on top of Hampsfell.

Looking back down on Cartmel.

The Howgills.

We make our way down to Grange.

Our route comes out at the Clock Tower. We have Sunday Lunch at the Commodore Pub. Homemade Yorkshire puddings! It took us a leisurely two hours and twenty minutes to reach the pub.

We head for the railway station via the duck pond. A Bar-Headed Goose.

My favourite duck, the Carolina Wood Duck.

We meet up with Margaret Kidger and her husband. It must be 20 years since we worked together at Thorncliffe! We chat and catch up as we walk in the direction of the station.

Tufted duck.

View across the duck pond.

We buy our tickets to Cark and head down to the promenade, we have a few minutes before the train arrives. The back of the station on the left. My GPS tells me we have walked 5.1 miles.

Heron.....disguised as a Little Egret.....Thanks Martin :-)

Grange-Over-Sands station.

It only takes a few minutes to reach Cark. We head for Cartmel, passing the Engine Pub, and soon turn off the road and join the Cistercian Way again. It is a two mile walk back to Cartmel. View down towards the main road.

It is a good route. No muddy fields.

Heading through woodland.

The route takes you out to the back of Cartmel Racecourse and the car park.

View back up to Hampsfell behind Cartmel Priory.

The Gatehouse was built in 1330 as part of the monastery.

Cartmel Priory was founded in 1190 for the Augustinian Order. When I worked at Cartmel Priory School all our school services were held here, it is a very impressive church. Evensong was taking place so we didn't go in to have a look around, but went and had coffee and cake instead, before heading home. The complete walk, including lunch and train journey, had taken five hours and twenty five minutes.

In December I will repeat the main part of this walk, as we have another ‘Bells and Fells’ walk planned. The St. James’ bellringers will ring the bells of Cartmel Priory at 9.30am for an hour on Saturday the 12th. We will then walk over Hampsfell down to Grange, taking the train to Cark and stop for lunch. We will then ring the bells at Flookburgh Church, joining other members of the South Lakes and Furness Branch for our monthly meeting from 2.30pm until 4.30pm. Weather willing!

Jo.