Crake Trees Manor Walk 1

Fact A: The farm that you walk through is called Crosby Hall. It is steeped in history, with a tale that a murdered former owner haunts the hall, taking the form of a great white bull.

Fact C: A stone that sits in front of the aforementioned church and was put there to mark the Millennium. Being 250 million years old, it puts into perspective our celebrations.

Cumbria Country Walk 1

Fact B: The first church that you can see on this walk is Crosby Ravensworth Parish Church. It has a great presence for such a small village and if you venture in you will see that it is just as grand on the inside as the outside.

Fact D: At the south end of the village is one of the 'Sheep Pen' series of sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy. More information can be found at Eden Arts.

1. This is the Crosby Ravensworth circuit. The distance walked is 1-1 ½ miles and will take between 40 minutes and 1 hour. It is a very pleasant introduction to the area. Leave the back door and go back over the cattle grid. Walk across the field towards the trees on your right hand side, towards the obvious telephone pole and a stile. Cross this stile and immediately on your left hand side, go over a second stile.

2. The footpath arrow points directly across the field towards the tallest telegraph pole, try to be the first to see the church spire (or the cattle trough) and head in this direction. To the right of the trough is a gate (rather unhelpfully unsigned) and try to open this. I had 20 lively heifers chasing me so I chose to go over it!

3. Follow the gravel track down to the farm - Crosby Hall (A), it does feel like you shouldn’t be here but it is the correct route. When you reach the bottom of the gravel track, walk straight onwards through the farmyard through a large red gate. There is a choice when you have gone past the buildings. Either turn left and walk alongside the back of the church down a lane or walk straight ahead where there is a ford and stepping stones in front of you, ignore these, turn left and you will come to the front of the church.

4. After investigating the church (B) make sure that you cross the bridge and check out the village. There is a Millennium stone (C), interesting houses and a public house. The pub can be found by turning rightwards from either footpath exit, then walking up the road heading out towards Orton. It is open evenings and weekends. An additional reason for walking up this road would be to look at Andrew Goldsworthy’s ‘Sheep pen’ sculpture (D), which you will find on your left.

5. After taking these diversions return in the opposite direction, over the bridge and onto the road leading to Mauds Meaburn. After passing the village school to your left and a beck to your right, walk past the National Speed Limit road signs until the Crake Trees turning is seen on the left. Follow the gravel road all the way back to Crake Trees Manor.

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