Monday 2nd November 2026
After my unsatisfactory excursion to the north of the Lake District the other day I decided to remind myself of what I have on my doorstep and try and capture some of autumn.
We have our own Hawes Water near Silverdale and just to the north the unique extent of Gait Barrows limestone pavement.
Hawes Water is one of only two freshwater natural lakes in Lancashire and for me it has always had an air of mystery. There is no access to the shoreline on the western side, but an elevated path does give the only decent view and photo opportunity, but even that is to some extent restricted. On the eastern edge there is a boardwalk and wheelchair access, but again not with direct access to the shore and views are restricted by tall growing reeds and one can hardly see the lake at all There is no fishing activity or other human interaction with the lake and so all in all this adds to its mystery.
There is a legend that a serpent occasionally emerges and devours sheep.
As far as I understand both Hawes Water and Gait Barrows are managed by Natural England.
Today I noticed a latched gate leading off the path on the eastern side leading towards the lake but it only lead to an inferior viewing point with high reeds restricting its view. I continued to a gate back onto the main path but that was padlocked. However there was a catch in the chain which I undid and squeezed through. As I was trying to refasten I was struggling when two elderly women ramblers arrived. Their apparrel and general appearance indicated experienced lifetime walkers and one of them offered to help but it was not easy doing that now from this side. I would add that agewise I think they were not far off my own four score and some, but despite that one of them nimbly climbed over the gate, fastened the chain and hopped back over like an Olympic gymnast. I was impressed, and shamed.
Gait Barrows reserve is regarded as one of the most important limestone environments in England. It is mostly wooded but with occasional grassy clearings with extensive limestone pavement harbouring ancient yews and dwarf ash, and rare orchids and others unique to this location. And would you belive: "the tiny narrow-mouthed whorl snail and the very rare moss Scorpidium turgiscens."
There is a somewhat confusing network of Land Rover tracks sprouting narrow footpaths leading off here and there to view sections of the limestone pavement. I stopped at a point where my track joined another, now designated as a public footpath, and read the information board; all was silence, or so I thought, but then I heard a soft repetitive and unfamiliar sound. I looked around and now watched and heard well spaced autumn leaves falling gently to the ground - magic!
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| This stream flows into Hawes Water from a smaller lake to the north which I investigated a few years ago only to find its innaccurate depiction on the map as a lake showed only as little more than a swamp. My old springer Barney knew this place well and always plunged in with delight. |
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| I think they may be the Kentmere hills. The shot was a zoom. The bordering trees being a couple of hundred yards away from my position |
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| Limestone pavement |
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| Here my return path crossed my outward route. |
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| View of Hawes Water from the elevated path on the western side |
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| Start/finish at Challan Hall, anticlockwise. Note outward path goes first to Gait Barrows and return then crosses outward path indicated by red arrow |
