Printed in the Westmorland Gazette January 20^th 2006

Mary Walsh: Undiscovered secret...

By Mary Walsh

This week's walk is in the unspoilt, gentle countryside that lies between the bottom end of Coniston Water and Windermere, south of Grizedale Forest and on the north side of the A590 near Haverthwaite.

Start from the small village of Oxen Park. On it outskirts, and passed twice on this walk, stands attractive New House, with a datestone of 1725. It was originally the poor house for the district and housed vagrants, tramps and the homeless. The way then continues into the lovely secret valley of Rusland. Here, in the graveyard of St Paul's Church, are buried Arthur Ransome and his wife Eugenia. He described the churchyard as "one of the most peaceful places on earth". I think we would all agree.

Park in the car park of the Manor House, at Oxen Park, grid ref 319873, where the landlord has told me he welcomes walkers.

1 With your back to the inn, walk right, north. Ignore the narrow left and right turns and, after 500yds, take a metalled track leading off left, signposted unsuitable for motor vehicles'. This lies just beyond the village name sign. Stroll the pleasing walled way, with delightful views all about you. Pass New House and, after half-a-mile from the start, leave the track, right, by a signposted gate and walk ahead, remaining beside the wall, on your right, to come to a waymarked kissing gate into the deciduous woodland of Paddock Heald.

2 Emerge from the trees and follow the path, a grassy trod, ahead, as it gently descends towards Rusland Valley. Leave the trod as it winds off right, and go on downhill, beside the fence on your left, to a gate. Go through the next gate and walk on a wider path through glorious beech and oak woodland where jays call. Leave by a kissing gate and descend the footpath, with gracious Whitestock Hall ahead and to your left. Wind on down the slope and go through the waymarked gate on your right and step onto the road.

3 Turn right and walk for just over a quarter-of-a-mile. Look left for a signpost on the other side of a small stream. Then cross a slippery plank footbridge over the hurrying water and turn left to go through a gate. Walk on a rather rough descending way with a wall to the right and the stream to your left. Pass a waymark, step across the stream and go on down beside it. Re-cross the stream and walk towards woodland, entering it by a waymarked gate. Climb the stile into Rusland Moss and note the instruction on the notice board that asks you to remain on the waymarked paths. It also states that the paths may be wet and that after prolonged rain they maybe impassable. (If so it is best to retrace your outward route.) 4 Walk the clear but quite soft path along the edge of the woodland to come to a signposted footbridge. Do not cross, ignore the right and left turns and go ahead on the way, at times more soggy than previously. Go over two small stretches of duckboarding to reach a waymark. Carry on to come to another footbridge. Do not cross this one either, but turn left to walk a long stretch of duckboarding that can be very slippery if wet. Then the boarding ends and a good path continues through the woodland, well signed by tall, yellow-topped posts.

5 At the edge of the trees follow the posts that direct you left along an easy track, with a wide ditch to your right. The distinct way soon winds right and reaches a three-armed signpost. Stroll on ahead and then follow the track as it curves right and comes to a delightful stone bridge, which you cross. Walk left along a wide track to pass the one time gatehouse of Rusland Hall. At the road, go on ahead to descend a little hill. At its foot, and where the road winds left, continue ahead, climbing gently, along a pleasing very narrow lane. Enjoy the fine views as you go. Remain on the lane as it bears left and continue to rejoin the road from Rusland Hall, where you turn right.

6 Descend to cross Ashes Bridge and then the road. Go through the gate opposite to climb the steep grassy pasture to the church, which stands on a rocky eminence overlooking much of the Rusland Valley. Pass through the gate into the churchyard and turn right to locate the Ransomes' graves. Return to the path to the sturdy, simple church and go in. Pause by the long white scroll in the vestibule that makes for interesting reading. Then continue down the path on the far side of the church to a tree-lined lane.

7 Turn left and walk on to rejoin the road from Rusland Hall. Carry on along the quiet way ignoring the right turn at the little triangle of roads and bear left at the T-junction. After less than a quarter-of-a-mile, cross the bridge over Yew Beck and take the right turn, signposted Ickenthwaite. The narrow road climbs steeply at first, through deciduous woodland, before becoming a gentler climb, still shadowed by trees. Leave the woodland behind and pass the cluster of dwellings at Low Ickenthwaite and then take the signposted gate, on the left, to walk the reinforced gated track known as Peg Lane, for one-and-a-half miles, to Oxen Park. This passes through delightful open countryside and sometimes climbs and descends through slopes of juniper, yew and bracken. After dropping down a curving slope, retrace your outward route, past New House. Turn right, at the end of the lane, to walk a few steps into the village.

Information Distance: 6 miles.

Time: 3-4 hours.

Terrain: Mainly on good paths and quiet roads except for crossing the Moss, which can be quite soggy and sometimes impassable.

Map: OS Explorer OL 7.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.