Selside, north of Kendal

 Wednesday 6th August 2025

  A modest 4.5 mile walk, but significnt for me: 537ft. of ascent.

There is a large car park opposite the church in Selside.

Against what seems to be the current trend the church was open. It is modest in its architecture as is its interior. A brass plaque commemorates those fallen in The Great War from this tiny parish. There are no military awards against the nine names, but none the less poignant for that.

From the church's website:

"...the present church, which was built in 1837 and extended in 1890, is in a good state of repair.The former vestry has recently been refurbished, and is used for children's activities and PCC meetings.

Average attendance at services is in the order of 14 (note - this is approximately ten per cent of the population of the parish)"

Towards the end of the walk as I was coming back towards Seleside I came across the C of E Endowed Selside Primary School which is related to this church.

A good path just north of the church lead off, but quickly continued as an overgrown path until opening out into sheep pasture. For years I have praised the valley of Borrowdale a little further morth and it was rewarding to have the skyline dominated throughout this walk by the southern ridge of Borrowdale with Whinfell Beacon the most to the fore.

Pleasant pasture walking passed through several farms, usually with holiday homes or second home  conversions. Just after a stile approaching the strangely named Yoadpot farm I was confronted by a large herd of cattle, including young heifers and lady cows with calves, and a large black bull. Thst was a huge field with no cover. I made a large diversion climbing to get round the back of the higher ground, See the blue route marked on the map below.

I passed by the C of E Selside Primary School as mentioned in connection with the church. You csn see it marked on the map just to the east of Selside Hall. It is in a remote situation at the end of a cul de sac road. I wondered at its viability but their website implies a vibrant and successful school.

A good start on this path from the church, until...

...this overgrown path

The southern ridge of the Borrowdale horsehoe, Whinfell Beacon prominent.
I walked that ridge with daughter Jill and her Springer Jake many years ago, happy memories

I'm always impressed how those centuries old farms were built so sympathetically into the landscape, something a bit beyond  merely maximising shelter

There were many more cattle than the photo could show. The gent at extreme left is a malevolent looking bull

Not rare but worth a snap

Holiday cottages

Oh dear!. This about fifty yards on from where I had sat uncomfortably for twenty minutes on a large rock for my sandwich and coffee break

More farmer's diversificstion

A good example of a large part of the walking terrain on this trip

Clockwise from Selside, top left of toute. Note the blue diverdion from the threat of cattle