Meathop Fell Cumbria.

Another year, another first trip away. The problem about going away this time of year (March) is you can’t guarantee the weather, but we were very lucky,It only rained on the morning we were packing up ready to leave. Which to be fare we could have done without.

 

Meathop Fell Club Site in the Southern Lake District and about 3 miles from the nearest town. As normal with a C&M Club Site its well set out with plenty of room between each unit, very clean facilities with plenty of warm showers.

Arriving on a Tuesday and after setting up we had a short walk to Meathop. Which is a very picturesque wee village although mostly gentrified there does appear to still be a working farm there. 

The following day the temperature got up to 16 degrees, a miracle at this time of year. From the campsite the nearest town is Grange-over-Sands a very pleasant  3 mile walk. 

The town developed in the Victorian era from a small fishing village and the arrival of the railway in 1857 made it a popular seaside resort on the north side of Morecambe Bay, across the sands from Morecambe. The "over-Sands" suffix was added in the late 19th or early 20th century by the local vicar, who was fed up with his post going to Grange in Borrowdale near Keswick.

In 1932 Grange Lido was built on the seafront, and remained in use until 1993, in 2011 it was listed Grade II. There is a campaign to restore and re-open it (as 2019). The River Kent used to flow past the town's mile-long promenade but its course migrated south, away from Grange. The sands or mudflats with dangerous quicksands became a grass meadow now grazed by small flocks of sheep. Following sustained easterly winds in the early part of 2007, the river began to switch its course back across the bay.

(Wikipedia)

There are some really nice shops and eating places in town including a great second hand book shop called Daisyroots, obviously we did not come away empty handed. The promenade offered plenty of seating to enjoy our piece while sitting in the warm sunshine.

The town has a Railway Station that runs between Barrow-in- Furness and Lancaster. The station, which runs adjacent to the Grange-over-Sands Promenade, was opened on the 1st September 1857. The building itself was designed by E G Paley for the Furness Railway Company and is a very picturesque building.

We again visited the town a couple of days later with the express intent of partaking of a fish supper at the highly recommended Fish over Chips. Excellent and a good price so i would pass on that recommendation. We followed this with a return visit to the Tides Restaurant for cake and hot chocolate.

A walk recommended by the camp site took us back through the village of Meathop along roads and across fields down to the coastal path along side the estuary by which we sat, had our piece and watched the tide come in. A very nice walk which was around 6 mile return.

From the camp site a one mile walk took us to a bus stop where we were able to catch a bus directly into the market town of Kendal. The centre of the town has formed around a high street with some interesting alleyways, known locally as yards ,off either side. Its shopping centre, has as normal these days, lots of charity shops. 

We decided to have a walk up Castle Hill to Kendal Castle. Built around 1200, the stone castle was built to replace the wooden motte and bailey. Built on a drumlin (a glacial hill) it was the sat of power and administration for the Barons of Kendal for over 200 years. 

On the death of the last Baron in 1571, the castle gradually fell into a ruinous state and today only parts of the castle wall and one tower remain. 

One of the advantages of being up so high is the chance to enjoy wonderful views across the town and its surrounds. 

Another enjoyable holiday completed. As i said before, weather exceptional and camp site first class.

Belfast City Trip October 2025..

As promised a return to Belfast after our enjoyable trip in February, we wanted to visit places and attractions  that we did not have time to visit on that previous trip.

From Kirkcudbright its not a problem to drive down to Cainryan Port, park the car for approximately £6 per day in the large on site car park, and board the Stena Line Ferry. From the Northern Ireland port you can get a 96 bus straight into the centre of the city.

Belfast is a very busy city with lots of shops and places to eat including the Best fish and chip shop in Belfast John Longs.

The Falls and Divis Street was a previous highlight, so to keep a balance we decided to explore the Shankill Road and walk through some of the back streets. Must be honest it did not have the same feeling as the Falls, it seemed cold and unwelcoming, or perhaps it was just me or the vast mount of the Union Flags?   But it is certainly a strong unionist/loyalist area as witnesses by the wall plaques and art and has an obvious loyalty to the UK and the English King.

During the troubles this area was the centre of loyalist activity with the Ulster Volunteer Force based in this area. Its alleged the UVF leader, Gusty Spencer was responsible for the murder of catholics in this area. 

Another well known resident of the Shankill was a certain Mr Lenny Murphy who led the infamous Ulster loyalist gang The Shankill Butchers until the Provisional IRA put a stop to his activities. 

You can walk through to the Falls from the Shankill during the day but not between 20.30 and 6.30 when the security gates are still closed and locked. every night.

Also on our inventory was the Crumlin Road Gaol. I must admit we found to be an affecting experience. The Gaol closed its doors as a working prison in 1996 having housed men, women and children since 1845. At the start of the Troubles circa 1969 and internment without trail from 1971 brought a sudden and dramatic increase in the prison population, which was to last for many years.

Each cell was  originally designed for single occupancy and in 1849 the capacity was 320. During the 1970’s and 80’s the prison population would reach 1400. During this time it was not uncommon to have 3 prisoners to a cell with still no sanitation in the cells and therefore ‘slopping out’!

We thought the most daunting place in the prison was where the hangman performed his duties. During  the lifetime of the gaol seventeen men were executed and their bodies buried within the prison walls. Apparently it was part of of the death sentence to be buried in an unmarked grave in unconsecrated ground. (As if hanging wasn’t enough punishment) Hanging continued at Crumlin Road until 1961. Two men were sentenced to death in 1973 but both had their sentences commuted down to jail time.

Interestingly the Crumlin Road Courthouse is directly opposite the Gaol and prisoners were taken to the court direct from the prison via a tunnel under the road. 

The Belfast Odeon was showing I Swear, so after a meal at Nando’s opposite we purchased two tickets and greatly enjoyed this rather exceptional movie.

Another very interesting trip, and one we were looking forward to, was the Titanic Quarter. I think most folk are familiar with the story behind the ship. Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, registered in Liverpool and sailed from Southampton on the 10th April 1912 for New York via Cherbourg. Sinking in the early hours of 15th April 1912 after hitting an iceberg with a great lose of life. I pre booked a White Star Premium Pass although  thought to be  quite expensive it turned out to be value for money. Firstly we went on the Discovery Tour this was a guided outdoor walk. We were shown were the ship was built, designed and launched. Then we went inside the magnificent building to witness the The Titanic Experience where you learn about the history of this remarkable ship. As part of the deal your get a free hard cover guide book and a rather nice fridge magnet depicting a Titanic Boarding Pass.

Part of the Premium Pass is a visit to the Hamilton Dock and the  SS Nomadic, which was converted into a museum in 2018. A former tender of the White Star Line launched on the 25th April 1911. She was built to to transfer passengers and mail to and from the ocean liners Olympic and the Titanic. Its the last White Star Line vessel in existence today and has a very interesting history which you learn about on board. 

Also worth a visit is the Alexandra Dock to see the last remaining British First World War light cruiser HMS Caroline built in 1914. She is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat. 

Completion of another enjoyable trip to this busy city. The ferry was delayed 80 minutes by the weather but fortunately got home in the light so it was not a problem.