Silurian Way, Grizedale Forest.

Recently highlighted in the Guardian travel section under sculpture walks, we felt we had to have a look again at Grizedale Forest, having previously largely kept away due to the hordes of Go-Apers, dog walkers and racing Mountain Bikers there. It is mostly in the Forest so suitable for a predicted wet day, which it turned out to be. We were told it could be done either way, but the signposts are definitely designed for doing it clockwise: we did it anti-clockwise and at various points this caused confusion, to say the least. The eastern limb is not terribly interesting if the sculptures start to pall, except for the little Grizedale Tarn: mostly wide forest tracks with poor views. (Edit 2020: if done clockwise and you find the correct route there are more paths, therefore more interest, particularly the one up Brock Crag, with a good view!) The western limb has a decent view point and some rocks to scramble on at Carron Crag, and lovely oak woods west of Satterthwaite and by the river near Force Mills – be careful not to miss the path off the road here. As for the sculptures, some are interesting, like the Lady of the Water, shown below, and some, like the Private Meeting, close by the Lady of the Water, are not, as the picture in the leaflet does not show they are miniature, and seeing them involves  crossing and re-crossing  a stream. Said to be 10 miles and to take 5 hours, which it did, but doing it clockwise would have been quicker without all the there and backs looking for signage. (Correct, 4hr 40 2020, but 10.7 miles and 2200 ft of undulating climbing)  And if you’re expecting woad painted Welshmen to jump out on you somewhere you’ll be disappointed: the name refers to the rock strata you walk on, or rather the period when it was generated.