Pensha one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Pensha here.

I did this walk as the second of three Slow Ways (Kendal-Tebay-Shap-Penrith). Public transport to Tebay and Shap is almost non-existent, so I stayed overnight at Tebay and Shap. See ShapTeb One for bus information.
I was pleasantly surprised by the fields at the start of this walk from Shap, following yesterday’s trials. Nice sheep-grazed, limestone-walled fields without too much squelchy mud, despite the wet winter we’ve had. At the top it was quite exposed to the easterly wind that day, but there was a view to Haweswater as compensation.
From Rosgill to Bampton Grange, the sheep fields continued, but now alongside the River Lowther. There was a ford here with a narrow bridge alongside it, with a few stepping stones next to a fence to hold onto. There is an Inn at Bampton Grange, and nearby is the Telephone Box from the film “Withnail and I”.
There was a quiet lane across Knipe Moor before another lane, then field paths heading through the extensive estate of Lowther Park. There were rare-breed cattle here, but they showed no interest in me. I guess they are used to human visitors. The parkland was all rather lovely and well kept, and I was walking alongside the River Lowther for part of the route.
There was a steady climb up to the castle, which looked an interesting place to visit. Apparently, there is a café here open all year, but I opted to divert for a pub lunch at Askham. I returned to walk through some more formal parkland, over the river and through woods on a good track/road.
After passing a holiday park the route went under a substantial viaduct, and the under the M6 to arrive into Eamont Bridge, then Penrith. There is a lot of history in this area, but the roads were not brilliant for pedestrians. At the big roundabout, it wasn’t worth using the marked footpath – the pavement would have been easier. Also, just after that, the footpath across the field does not exist, and you need to find the alley entrance slightly further round the roundabout.
The route finished with a few suburban streets and a park containing Penrith Castle, then the station.
This was a great route, I really enjoyed it, although I would suggest a slightly more accurate walk into Penrith, with road sides and crossing places as indicated, see my map included with the photos.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.