Spring wild daffodil walk, Sizergh, S Cumbria.

This six mile walk takes in the wild daffodils of Brigsteer Park wood, usually late March, the bird hide of Park Moss, and a long stretch by the River Kent.

Park by the Strickland Arms, just south of Sizergh Castle, and go up the road just beyond it, and take the first track right, unmarked. This leads round some houses, and goes west(W) by the wood edge, then SW across a meadow to the N corner of Middle Plantation. Keep going in the same W line on a path (not on the map), and at the road go right, N, in the wood parallel to the road, joining it near Lane end farm. At Brigsteer Park wood go left into it. The daffodils are mainly on the bank on the right, a path by a little defect in the bank leads up and through them. Keep going north and west on tracks and paths, along and down.  At the end, a short diversion through a gate and left into the “moss” finds you in a bird hide.

Return to the wood edge and keep up the track which gains a road at the farm seen up on the left. Cross the road and go up the fields, and when by a house go gently up SW on a green track by a wood. When an obvious path goes N towards Helsington church, take this  and possibly look inside. Just S of the church, go SE on a concrete track to Berry Holme farm, going straight on through a wide gate at the farm, then onto a muddy track. the map shows you crossing a track, which is not so, so be careful to go due E this side of the next hedge to join a minor road at the bottom. Go right down the hill, cross the busy dual carriageway and carry on down the road to the River Kent. Turn right, S, on the far side and follow it delightfully downstream for a mile to a footbridge, certified for 25 persons at a time, cross this and head left then right on Nannypie lane back home. There is now a choice of the nearby Sizergh Castle or Barn cafes, or the Strickland Arms for refreshments.

Addendum 2019, 10th March: Due to a very warm end to February, half the daffs were out today. Parking at the NT park at Sizergh Castle and going due south to join the above adds only half a mile to the walk.