1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
12. Coniston Old Man
Date: 06/07/2021
Meeting Point: Old Station Car Park, Coniston, LA21 8HG
We begin this fantastic fell walk in the village of Coniston. Starting off westward, we gradually climb along the Walna Scar Road, before summiting Brown Pike. Staying high, we continue on to Buck Pike, with Blind Tarn in the valley below us.
We pass over the Great Gully to reach Dow Crag, where, below us, we get a spectacular view of Goatswater Tarn. Looping round, we reach Coniston Old Man, the high point of our walk at 803 metres, and boasting one of the finest views in the Lake District when the weather is good! Heading back to Coniston, we see evidence of slate mining, and enjoy ranging views of Coniston water.
Distance: 14.5 km (9.0 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆