Route: Acorn Bank
Area: Eden Valley
Date of walk: 27th May 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.4 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Bright at first but clouded over. Very hazy
This is another walk sourced from ‘Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley’ by Vivienne Crow. We’d been to the National Trust property of Acorn Bank many years ago and have fond memories of it, so it was good to be able to follow a walk with the gardens of Acorn Bank as its focal point
In order to arrive there at opening time (10am) we slightly varied the route described in the book by starting out from the attractive village of Temple Sowerby. We walked across the village green and followed a track between the houses which lead us out into the fields. When we reached a minor lane we walked along it for a short distance before turning off to head towards Acorn Bank
Dogs are allowed on the various garden trails, but not in the formal garden areas, so Gilly and I took it in turns to look after Bonnie so that we could both wander round the orchard, the herb garden and the other formal areas, all of which were beautiful. We walked out of the grounds through swathes of wild garlic, following a path beside Crowdundle Beck
The path to Culgaith was across agricultural land. Sadly the weather had deteriorated by now and the sky was a uniform white, with the views to the Pennines and the Lake District being obscured by a thick haze. The section after Culgaith involved some roadside walking for about 1 mile until we reached Millrigg Bridge. From there it was a pleasant stroll across the fields back to Temple Sowerby
A lovely walk, with Acorn Bank being the undoubted highlight
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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A dawn visit to Crummock Water before we headed east
Siskin in the garden
Later that morning, the village green in Temple Sowerby at the start of our walk
The track between the cottages is next to the green, and easily missed
We follow a faint path across the fields
Dandelion clock
Acorn Bank across the fields
At the end of this field we turn left along a quiet lane
We turn right in a couple of minutes to head towards Acorn Bank
Acorn Bank - the house was formerly private but the National Trust is gradually restoring the interior, sections of which are now open to the public
The house at Acorn Bank…
…and the gardens…
An old lead plant trough, dated 1778
It’s hard to leave such a magical place, but not so hard when the exit is like this…
Huge swathes of wild garlic
We follow the path out of Acorn Bank along the bank of Crowdundle Beck
We pass below the viaduct of the Settle-Carlisle Railway
The path continues to follow the bank of Crowdundle Beck
Looking back to the viaduct as a train passes over it
A ruined old barn near Newbeggin, and we turn left here to follow the road for a short distance
We cross the bridge over Crowdundle Beck
Walking across the fields to Culgaith, poor light and hazy conditions spoiled the views along this section
Looking towards the North Pennines
The track leading into Culgaith
One of the attractive old buildings seen as we walk through Culgaith
After a 20 minute road section, it’s a relief to be back on the footpath to Temple Sowerby
Haymeadow
We arrive back in Temple Sowerby
Passing by the village green, and from here it’s a short stroll back to the start
