Westhouse

After the dismal weather of January we were fortunate to have a dry, not too cold, day for our February walk. Although too misty for long distance views it was possible to see some of the near landmarks.

Setting off from Masongill we were soon walking eastwards across a rather wet pasture field towards Masongill Hall. The Hall was at one time owned, and the land farmed, by the Waller family who owned the whole estate, and is now farmed by the Hartleys. Passing through the farmyard we turned south following the stream - the Masongill Beck - which originates in the fell above the village. Leaving the beck behind we climbed a small rise and once at the top paused to look around. It was not clear enough to make out the Lake District mountains to the west or the tops of the Bowland mass to the south, but we could pick out Tow Scar and Kingsdale to the north and some of the great bulk of Ingleborough. Below us we could see the A65 snaking between Upper and Lower Westhouse as well as the old village slaughter house and the building which used to be the Transatlantic Relay station.

Dropping down to Upper Westhouse we walked along Post Office Row to Lower Westhouse and stopped to look at the Old Mill (which used to manufacture a type of early lino). We passed the Village Hall (which had been the school) and the Methodist Chapel. Then it was on to the footpath running adjacent to the dismantled railway line. Originally this was built in 1861 by the London North Western Railway (LNWR) and it closed in 1966. It ran from Ingleton to Sedbergh and then on to Carlisle.

The railway footpath took us to meet the lane at Gate Green where we turned right heading north. This steep lane took us up to the A65 and a short stroll of half a mile back to our starting point. We had a good turnout of 18 people and three well-behaved dogs and with only one tricky stile it was a very enjoyable start to the Sunday walks programme of 2010.