Lyth Valley

Valley in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

Lyth Valley

Cottage at Row Beside the lane/public footpath which heads west of the hamlet towards open pastureland and the wooded heights of Whitbarrow. — Cottage at Row Credit: Karl and Ali

Lyth Valley, located in Westmorland, is a picturesque valley nestled within the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. Spanning approximately 15 square miles, this idyllic valley is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rolling green hills, and picturesque villages.

The valley is characterized by its unique topography, featuring limestone outcrops and meandering rivers that add to its natural beauty. The landscape is dotted with traditional Cumbrian farmsteads and stone-built cottages, adding to the charm and rural character of the area.

Lyth Valley is particularly famous for its flourishing orchards, which produce a variety of fruits, most notably damsons. The damson trees, with their delicate white blossoms in spring and abundant fruits in late summer, create a breathtaking sight that has become a symbol of the valley's agricultural heritage.

The villages within Lyth Valley, such as Crosthwaite and Underbarrow, exude a peaceful and timeless ambiance. The traditional architecture and well-preserved historic buildings contribute to the area's rich cultural heritage. The local community takes great pride in maintaining the rural character of the valley while welcoming visitors to explore its hidden treasures.

Visitors to Lyth Valley can indulge in a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. The valley offers numerous walking trails that lead through meadows, woodlands, and along the banks of the River Gilpin. The scenic beauty of the valley also attracts artists and photographers, who find inspiration in its ever-changing colors and textures.

In conclusion, Lyth Valley is a charming and unspoiled corner of Westmorland, offering visitors a glimpse into the traditional agricultural life of the Lake District. Its stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, and fruitful orchards make it a haven for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility amidst the beauty of the English countryside.

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Lyth Valley Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.286006/-2.8229532 or Grid Reference SD4688. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cottage at Row

Beside the lane/public footpath which heads west of the hamlet towards open pastureland and the wooded heights of Whitbarrow.

Karl and Ali

Lime kiln above Row

This impressively large kiln above the footpath is remarkably well-preserved and is a Grade II listed structure Link

Karl and Ali

Park End Moss

A wetland reserve created by the National Trust two years ago on farmland in the Lyth Valley. Beyond is the long ridge of Whitbarrow. This land is now also part of the Lake District national park.

Karl and Ali

A coot on Park End Moss

A coot enjoying the new wetland created in 2015 by the National Trust.

Karl and Ali

Park End Moss

A view of the new (2015) wetland created on saturated farmland in the Lyth Valley by the National trust.

Karl and Ali

Brigsteer Causeway from road to Helsington Church

Colin Park

Helsington Pool (creek) as seen from S of Helsington Barrows

Colin Park

Lyth Valley

Peter McDermott

South Low Farm

Peter McDermott

Flodder Hall

Flodder Hall Farm.

Peter McDermott

Gilpin Bank

Peter McDermott

A5074

Seen from Thorfor Bridge.

Peter McDermott

Field below Park End Farm

The hay has recently been cut, and is now drying. View across the Lyth valley to Whitbarrow.

Ian Taylor

Ash trees in Whitbarrow Nature Reserve

High up on the plateau, the Ash Trees are looking very stressed, but here in the more sheltered woodland, most, like these, are looking quite healthy, although there are still a few (mostly smaller ones) which seem to be affected by Ash Dieback Disease, The diverse mixed nature of the broadleaved woodland here must be a help - disease spreads much more quickly in monocultures. As well as Ash there are birch, oak, holly, alder, hawthorn, hazel and some patches of beech, as well as the odd non-native like the weed sycamore. The forest floor is, however, widely covered by bracken (the world's single most invasive species apart from humanity).

Andy Waddington

Public footpath in Whitbarrow Nature Reserve

There's quite a network of paths and tracks within the Nature Reserve, of which comparatively few are, like this one, public rights of way, with very little in the way of signage to distinguish them. This hardly matters to the walker in that the area is all CROW Access Land, but there are more paths than shown on the map and no views of distant landmarks by which to stay orientated, so it's not always easy to pick the right way on, even with a GPS. It's one of those places where a compass is more useful. This bit of the woodland has a lot of Hazel, much of which shows signs of having been coppiced. The taller trees are mainly Ash, and there are quite a few here that seem to be in trouble - maybe they've just lost leaves in the recent strong winds, but one suspects Ash Dieback Disease is here and we can only hope that some proportion of the population prove to be resistant.

Andy Waddington

A maze of twisty footpaths, all alike

The marker post shows no less than five arrows (one is on the far side of the post), four of which represent public footpaths and one a permissive path (surely all paths are permitted in CROW Access Land?). Whilst some are bigger than others, all look similar and there are more junctions just a short distance away with no views of distant landmarks by which to orientate oneself. A compass (and GPS, which Geographers do tend to be carrying) is useful here, but beware there are other ways than just the paths marked on the map and no signage at most of the other junctions.

Andy Waddington