It had been 13 months since our last visit to the Lake District, when I completed my 214 Wainwright mission. This time we had the advantage of picking walks that we wanted to do, revisits to good places, seeing some summits that I’d had no views from previously and taking our time. The weather for the week turned out to be very good, but it started out a bit gloomy and damp for the first two days. One place I’d wanted to visit was Sizergh Castle and if we could have a nice short walk as well, then all the better. I’d marked out Scout Scar and the “mushroom” as a possible destination and a nice simple route out and back. On arrival, after our 6 hour drive, Sizergh castle itself wasn’t open, so we had a quick walk around the gardens before heading inside, its a lovely property and took advantage of our National Trust membership which we’ve used quite heavily so far this year. After a sandwich and a drink we headed off on our walk, crossing fingers that the weather held, and despite seeing rain sweeping across the valley and estuary, we missed it. The walk to Scout Scar is an easy one, but warmed our legs up nicely for the planned Lakeland fells in the coming week. The cloud dropped a little as we stopped briefly at the mushroom shelter before turning back, we stopped at the church (St John’s) on the return leg, but other than that it was a simple outing, before heading further north to Bassenthwaite (Dubwath to be exact) and our home for the week
Sizergh Castle, it opened at midday and as it was 11.30am we took a quick wander around the gardens and admired the veggie patches, taking notes for next year 😁Some lovely autumnal colours in the gardensThe house is home to the Strickland family, as it has been for 800 yearsTapestries hang in the libraryThe house also had stained glass windows in various spotsOne of the bedroomsThe older tower housed the dining room hall, the balcony above is a recent addition as they removed a ceiling in here, there was a door which then opened onto nothing but fresh air, so they installed the balcony.More stained glass, these were in the formal Tudor inlaid chamber bedroom which was purchased by the British museum and taken to London. It was on display in the museum until the 1970s when Sizergh asked for it back, it has been loaned back since, along with these stained portholesOn to the walk now, and we are heading along lanes for a bit up over those trees in the distanceHoleslack FarmAlong the lane to St John’s chapel which is in the trees aheadLooking west I think over towards the southern end of Windermere and Gummer’s How in the clag, the fields below show there’s been plenty of rain falling over the last month in the LakesHelsington Barrows is aheadFirst look at Scout ScarRain sweeping towards Windermere, pretty sure the slightly raised ground to the left is called Township Allotment with the wet Lyth Valley below, the River Gilpin runs through there on its way to join the River KentLooking south towards Morecambe Bay as we reach Scout ScarThe mushroom is soon reached as the cloud drops a little, with more rain sweeping towards Windermere and the Coniston Fells to our leftAll around the inside of the mushroom gives an idea of what you are looking at, if you can see any of it that isScout Scar. normally you would see the Kentmere fells looking this waySouth towards Morecambe Bay againAgain towards Morecambe, think that is Whitbarrow Scar, or the back of it, to the rightChapel of St JohnWe had a quick look inside, just the short walk back down the hill to the car, then the hour drive up to Dubwath and our house for the week. Despite the roadworks on the M6 north of Tebay, it was the better option compared to the A591 through the centre of the Lakes. A great start to a fantastic week of walking.
Sizegh looks lovely there with all the Autumn colours. I’ve seen Scout Scar and the Mushroom on a few people’s blogs now. Will have to put it on my list. Sounds like you were heading to a nice area to stay too….
Dubwath was lovely, we were opposite the Bassenthwaite Station cafe (the one with the train carriage), we visited the Pheasant Inn which was superb. Scout Scar is a lovely easy walk from Sizergh, small ascent needed but not too much
We usually do this area from Sizergh – but we’re looking at walking it from Kendal (the multi-storey car park there, by the way costs just £1.20 a day, if you park before 9 am and leave by 6 pm. Handy for all Kendal walks.)
Scout Scar is one if those smaller hills where you get a lot of pleasure for minimal effort. A pity you weren’t up there a few days later as the views across to the Lakeland fells, Howgills and Yorkshire Dales are outstanding.
I like the limestone landscape and the stunted trees.
Visited Sizergh many years back when the kids were small. I remember them dressing up in some period costumes! Scout Scar and indeed all the “Scars” around there are excellent walks
Definitely looking to do a bit more of this sort of thing on the drive up when we head that way. Looking for less visited spots to have a proper bimble around
A classic! Bizarrely, I’m not sure the interior of Sizergh has ever appeared on the blog, although the gardens have often featured. You were right about Whitbarrow Scar in the photo. I was up there yesterday! And in the middle of the same photo – Arnside Knot, my home from home.
treksandtors 
Never been there which is daft! Looks worth a visit at some point.
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Plenty of “scars” around the Kendal area which look very good, a nice introduction to the Lakes as a warm up walk
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Sizegh looks lovely there with all the Autumn colours. I’ve seen Scout Scar and the Mushroom on a few people’s blogs now. Will have to put it on my list. Sounds like you were heading to a nice area to stay too….
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Dubwath was lovely, we were opposite the Bassenthwaite Station cafe (the one with the train carriage), we visited the Pheasant Inn which was superb. Scout Scar is a lovely easy walk from Sizergh, small ascent needed but not too much
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I thought you might be near the station cafe. It’s a wonderful location. I like the nature reserve at Dubwath too.
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One of our regulars. Nice round there.
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Would have liked to have carried on to Cunswick Scar but I’m sure I can find a route to pick that one up another time
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We usually do this area from Sizergh – but we’re looking at walking it from Kendal (the multi-storey car park there, by the way costs just £1.20 a day, if you park before 9 am and leave by 6 pm. Handy for all Kendal walks.)
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The lady at Sizergh who scanned our cards spoke about looping a walk into Kendal from there, need to look into this
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Not a bad area for walking.
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There’s a clear path from the car parks at the northern end of Scout Scar. Good views from there too.
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Think that will be where I start next time
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Nice walk. We visited mid August Sizergh for the first time and enjoyed it. I still have to write about it.
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We really enjoyed the house and garden, the walk was just as good and in good weather would be superb with some great views
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I’ve not been to Sizergh but it looks good, especially with that autumn colour. Glad the rain kept off for you, Steve. Happy walking xx
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More to come from our week up there
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Scout Scar is one if those smaller hills where you get a lot of pleasure for minimal effort. A pity you weren’t up there a few days later as the views across to the Lakeland fells, Howgills and Yorkshire Dales are outstanding.
I like the limestone landscape and the stunted trees.
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Visited Sizergh many years back when the kids were small. I remember them dressing up in some period costumes! Scout Scar and indeed all the “Scars” around there are excellent walks
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Definitely looking to do a bit more of this sort of thing on the drive up when we head that way. Looking for less visited spots to have a proper bimble around
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Hampsfell above Grange is also a great little hill and Humphrey Head is well worth a visit
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A classic! Bizarrely, I’m not sure the interior of Sizergh has ever appeared on the blog, although the gardens have often featured. You were right about Whitbarrow Scar in the photo. I was up there yesterday! And in the middle of the same photo – Arnside Knot, my home from home.
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