Sizergh wildlife walk
The traditional agricultural estate that surrounds Sizergh Castle offers dramatic views of the Lakeland Fells, the Pennines and Morecambe Bay, as well as a fantastic array of animals, birds, butterflies and wildflowers that vary with the seasons.
Total steps: 10
Total steps: 10
Start point
Sizergh Castle car park, grid ref: SD498878
Step 1
From the car park, follow the orange waymark arrows labelled 'Sizergh Fell' through a footpath gate to the south and into a field. Be aware, the field can be very wet and muddy. Walk straight on with the wall to your left. During spring and summer, buzzards and pheasants nest in the woodland and are a common sight along this stretch of footpath.
Step 2
Walk through the field, keeping the high wall on your left. Go through the next gate into another field, which can also be very muddy. Ignore the gate to your right and keep walking onto Sizergh Fell. Go uphill, keeping the low wall and fence on your right side. Notice the difference between the fields either side of the fence boundary, where one has been improved.
Step 3
Continue uphill, aiming for a clump of trees at the top. Here, you'll find a log bench – the perfect spot to admire the view of Morecambe Bay in front of you and the Howgills and Pennines behind.
Step 4
From the top of the hill, walk past the clump of trees on the right-hand side. Follow the footpath with the telephone lines on your left and take in the stunning Lake District Fells ahead of you. Continue across the top and then downhill until you reach a gate in the wall.
Step 5
Go through the gate and take an immediate right. There's a flat track through a bumpy field full of anthills. Head towards a wall with a field gate and footpath gate next to each other.
Step 6
Go through the footpath gate and take a left, which heads down a steep hill with woodland on the left. You'll reach a road, with Lane End Farm on the other side.
Step 7
Take a right towards a double gate at the bottom of the hill and continue to another gate onto the road. Use the pedestrian gate and continue through this field, keeping the hedgerow and the road on your left. As you reach the end of the field, there's a barbed-wire fence. Turn right and head across the field, where you'll come to another double gate.
Step 8
Go through the pedestrian gate and take a left around a large ash tree, cutting a corner off the field. A small footpath gate in the wall takes you into the next field. Keep the wall on your left and aim for the footpath gate on the other side of the field. This field can be wet, so make sure to wear waterproof boots if you're walking after a downpour.
Step 9
Go through this gate and up a small slope onto Ashbank Lane. Head right and immediately through a large field gate. Walk along this stone track, keeping the high, historic deer park wall on your right. You'll eventually pass a spectacular veteran ash tree to the right. Not far beyond this is a large gate hung from impressive limestone stoops.
Step 10
Walk through the gate, onto a narrow track with a hedgerow on your right and a wall to your left. Go up a slope, and down the other side, taking you back to the Sizergh Castle car park – and some well-earned refreshments at the café.
End point
Sizergh Castle car park, grid ref: SD498878
Trail map
More near here
Park End Moss wetland walk at Sizergh
This circular walk to Park End Moss showcases the diversity of the Sizergh estate, taking in ancient woodlands, historic parkland and a wetland popular with numerous bird species.
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