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
20. The Catbells Challenge
Date: 16/07/2021
Meeting Point: Bell Close Car Park, 16 Main St, Keswick, CA12 5JD
Starting in Keswick, this scenic walk starts on a flat path crossing the River Greta and heading for Portinscale. From here, we continue through woodland all the way to the foot of Catbells.
We follow a popular route up to the summit of Catbells, enjoying the superb views of Derwentwater and the surrounding fells, before dropping down and looping around the far end of the lake.
From here, we follow a woodland path which gradually winds down towards the lakeside, leading us back towards Keswick. An interesting and diverse stage which passes through towns and villages, before rising up into the fells and ends as we’re drawn back to the lake. A great addition to the Big Smile.
Distance: 18.0 km (11.18 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆