The Newlands Valley

A superb Lakeland walk through the very delightful Newlands valley, surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery.

1-2. From the Clock Tower end of the Moot Hall Information Centre, descend the left-hand side of Main Street for 130 yds, to pass by the Post Office on your right. Continue ahead signposted 'Cockermouth' and after 400 yds, arrive at a bridge spanning the River Greta. Just after the bridge, turn left signposted 'Portinscale' and wlak along a hard-surfaced track for 75yds, then turn right through a swing-gateto enter a field.

2-3. Follow the stony footpath, which will terminate at a lane after 0.5 mile. Turn left and cross the suspension bridge over the River Derwent. Continue along the lane, to reach a road junction in the centre of Portinscale village. Turn right, then turn left after 200 yds onto a wide stony track, signposted 'Ullock-Swinside' Proceed for 175 yds, then go through a swing-gate to link up with a lane.

3-4. Bear left across the lane and join onto a narrow path bordered by hedgerow. Descend for 125 yds, to reach a field. Go straight ahead, to aim for a large farm-gate 150 yds distant. In the next field, follow the broad track for 300 yds, then (by the side of another farm-gate) bear left through a swing-gate. Proceed between wire fencing, to reach a llane.

4-5. Turn right and after 0.33 mile arrive at a T-junction with another lane. Turn right, signposted 'Braithwaite' to reach a narrow bridge after 250 yds, spanning the Newlands Beck. Just prior to the bridge, turn left through a swing-gate and walk alongside the river bank, to pass by a stone bridge on your right after 0.75 mile. Continue for 150 yds, then turn right and ascend a short flight of steps. With the beck still on your right, this footpath will terminate at a lane after 0.25 mile.

5-6. Turn right, to reach a X-junction after 300 yds. Turn left, signposted 'Skelgill 1/2) and ascend this lane to arrive at the farmstead of Skelgill. Pass between the outbuildings (with the main house on your right) to go through a large field-gate across the route. Proceed straight ahead along the broad track for .033 mile, to reach a U-junction with a road. Bear left, signposted 'Portinscale-Keswick' and descend for 75yds to cross over a cattle-grid.

6-7. 50 yds further on, (where the lane turns sharp left) go straight ahead onto a stony track by a sign 'Hawse End' Descend for 200 yds, parallel to the left-hand wall, to link up with another lane. Bear left across the lane and pass through a small swing-gate signposted 'Portinscale.Keswick' Follow the narrow footpath between the trees and after 200 yds, cross over a small wooden footbridge.

7-8. Cross over the rough pastureland in front of you, to aim for a gate on the edge of a wood. Continue straight ahead and this well-defined path will finally terminate after 0.33 mile at a swing-gate by the private entrance to Lingholm House. Go straight across the driveway and with a wall on your right follow the wide stony footpath for another 0.33 mile, to reach the lake shore at Nichol End.

8-1. With your back to the main jetty, follow the broad track to link up with a lane 200 yds distant. Turn right and proceed along the roadside footpath for 0.50 mile, to arrive at a T-junction in the centre of Portinscale. Turn right and retrace your steps to return to the centre of Keswick.