Whitewell Circular Walk
distance 7.29 mile : time about 4 hours

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map Whitewall cirular ealk
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Turn left at the main road; the FP starts again on the right after about 100 yds on the left hand bend in the road. The farm track to Micklehurst is met with after a short trek over the meadow. After passing Kinder Barn the path diverts right at a gate in the wire fence, but continues in the same direction. Passing over a series of styles, the path descends into woodland, goes over the wooden bridge over the beck and ascends steeply to emerge by the side of Lees House Farm. Keep right and follow the track to the road, turn left and then right to the T-junction. A choice of return walks to Whitewell is now available. (60 min)
The path starts at a stile about 20 yds before the T-junction. Go downhill, ford the stream, and follow the stream to Higher Lees Farm. At the farm turn right and then left along the track. The path continues across a pasture to a stile; bear slightly left and head uphill aiming for the stile at the edge of the wood ahead. The path follows the edge of the wood and then bears left towards Radholme Laund. Go through the farm and follow the stone wall to Higher Top Barn. The path continues first through a metal gate and then a stile. Follow the stone wall on the left; the next stile leads to Whitewell. (70 min)
At the T-junction find the gate on the left follow the path down to the stream and then turn sharp left. The path becomes ill defined on approaching the house. Keep to the left of the house and continue along the track to Lower Lees. At the junction of the farm track turns right to the farm and find the path 20 yds on the left. Follow the edge of the field to a stile; keep to the high ground and follow the path to the next stile which is adjacent to the road. Before the stile turn sharp right, go downhill over a plank footbridge and on to the Hodder. Follow the wire fence on the left over a series of stiles and then a ford. The path now goes uphill and follows the edge of Ing Wood and continues in a straight line to the road. Turn left at the road; the path continues a few yards further on at a metal gate on the left. From here the path through sheep pasture back to Whitewell is well defined. (90 min)
A circular walk from Whitewell
Warning: In winter time Stages 1 and 2 could prove a little taxing because of the wet ground.
The walk starts 20 yds on the right after the Whitewell Social Hall. A steady climb uphill leads to a gate. Bear left and head for Raven Scar Plantation. Over the main road follow the footpath sign; stay to the right of the Plantation and to the left of the next clump of trees. A steady climb leads to a ladder-style into the conifer plantation. On exit bear slightly right and head straight ahead to Crimpton (over a wooden footbridge and through a double gate). A concessionary FP avoids the farmyard; the farm track leads to the main road. (60 min)
At the road turn right and take the FP immediately left; walk uphill go over the style and head for the chimneys of Spire. At Spire the path follows the extreme edge of the wood. After passing Spire bear slightly left and head for the break in the band of trees seen in the distance ahead. On reaching the end of the wood on the left look for the stile on the left. Turn right after the stile and over the next stile (pond on the left). The path is now almost a straight line (due south) downhill over sheep pasture to the farm track leading to Browsholme Farm. (45 min)
Inn at Whitewell Inn at Whitewell
Open all day but see the website for more info.
click here to print off the OS map with route markedor click here for the blank OS map
The Inn at Whitewell as seen from the Hodder bank
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The present Inn at Whitewell was in former times the Manor. In medieval times it acted as the Court House where Forest tenants and Forest keepers met to decide local issues. In more recent times a market used to be held in the forecourt of the house. The Inn is now a hotel and popular meeting place for drinks and meals.
"Forest" from the Old French "foris" meaning land for hunting game was first declared such by the Norman, Robert de Lacy. Red and fallow deer were hunted in the Forest where Radholme Laund was a deer enclosure.
The park keepers of old became the Parkers now of Browsholme Hall.
As well as the local history, the present walk takes in some spectacular scenery and the enjoyable Inn at Whitewell.
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