Weekend Walk: Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune

The River Lune no longer marks one of the the boundaries between the old counties of the West Riding and Westmorland, but part of it has at least been brought into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The River Lune south of Kirkby LonsdaleThe River Lune south of Kirkby Lonsdale
The River Lune south of Kirkby Lonsdale

This lovely walk starts on the edge of the park, at the old town of Kirkby Lonsdale, where the view across the river from the churchyard was once described by John Ruskin as “one of the loveliest in England.” Nearby is the three-arch Devil’s Bridge dating from the 12th or 13th century. The walk crosses fields and follows the tranquil Hosticle Lane into the village of Whittington and returns along the River Lune. Watch for goosanders, dippers and herons.

1. Starting from the Market Square in the town centre, proceed up New Road. Continue to the top and swing left on a road signposted to Kendal. Fork left on Biggins Road and take a signposted path on the left. Pass tennis courts and aim for a gate. Cross the busy A65 with great care and on the other side continue over fields, angling right in front of Wood End farm to a wooden gate.

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2. Cross an access road and pass cottages on the right. A lovely enclosed path shaded by trees then leads to Sellet Mill. Once there, go right over a stile and follow the obvious path round the edge. Over a stream swing right, aiming for a hedge corner and following a hedge. Look for a stile on the right, pass into another field and bear left to follow a waymarked path which emerges on Biggins Lane to the right of Sellet Hall.

Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Davil's BridgeKirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Davil's Bridge
Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune Davil's Bridge

3. Turn left and follow the lovely Hosticle Lane past Hagg Wood to the village of Whittington. At a junction turn left to walk past the church, and at the end cross the B6254 with care and turn left. At the end of the village take a signposted path on the right.

Follow the field edge and an obvious path to join a rough track which leads uphill for a short distance then slopes downhill. At a bend fork left towards a gate. Follow an enclosed track which eventually follows field edges to arrive on the west bank of the River Lune.

4. Cross a stile on the left and follow the path along the riverbank. When the A65 is encountered go through a metal gate on the left and follow the path out to the roadside. Cross with great care to a path which continues to Devil’s Bridge. Walk out onto the road and turn left, passing toilets to take a footpath on the right. Pass the cricket ground and houses to swing left back into Market Square. This lovely walk starts on the edge of the park, at the old town of Kirkby Lonsdale, where the view across the river from the churchyard was once described by John Ruskin as “one of the loveliest in England.” Nearby is the three-arch Devil’s Bridge dating from the 12th or 13th century. The walk crosses fields and follows the tranquil Hosticle Lane into the village of Whittington and returns along the River Lune. Watch for goosanders, dippers and herons.

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1. Starting from the Market Square in the town centre, proceed up New Road. Continue to the top and swing left on a road signposted to Kendal. Fork left on Biggins Road and take a signposted path on the left. Pass tennis courts and aim for a gate. Cross the busy A65 with great care and on the other side continue over fields, angling right in front of Wood End farm to a wooden gate.

Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Field path near WhittingtonKirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Field path near Whittington
Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune Field path near Whittington

2. Cross an access road and pass cottages on the right. A lovely enclosed path shaded by trees then leads to Sellet Mill. Once there, go right over a stile and follow the obvious path round the edge. Over a stream swing right, aiming for a hedge corner and following a hedge. Look for a stile on the right, pass into another field and bear left to follow a waymarked path which emerges on Biggins Lane to the right of Sellet Hall.

3. Turn left and follow the lovely Hosticle Lane past Hagg Wood to the village of Whittington. At a junction turn left to walk past the church, and at the end cross the B6254 with care and turn left. At the end of the village take a signposted path on the right.

Follow the field edge and an obvious path to join a rough track which leads uphill for a short distance then slopes downhill. At a bend fork left towards a gate. Follow an enclosed track which eventually follows field edges to arrive on the west bank of the River Lune.

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4. Cross a stile on the left and follow the path along the riverbank. When the A65 is encountered go through a metal gate on the left and follow the path out to the roadside. Cross with great care to a path which continues to Devil’s Bridge. Walk out onto the road and turn left, passing toilets to take a footpath on the right. Pass the cricket ground and houses to swing left back into Market Square.

Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Davil's BridgeKirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Davil's Bridge
Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune Davil's Bridge

Difficulty rating: 1 stars

Distance: 5 miles

Hours: 2 hours

Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer (1:25,000) sheet OL2, Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western area

Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Field path near WhittingtonKirby Lonsdale and River Lune

Field path near Whittington
Kirby Lonsdale and River Lune Field path near Whittington

Parking: Kirkby Lonsdale

Public transport: 581 buses run between Skipton and Kirkby Lonsdale. Skipton is served by Airedale line trains from Leeds and Bradford. For bus details visit www.dalesbus.org and for trains details see www.wymetro.com or call 0113 245 7676

Refreshments: Kirkby Lonsdale

Toilets: Kirkby Lonsdale centre and Devil’s Bridge