This 9.5 mile walk was touched on in my post “Alternative route from Orton to Tebay” of April 2014, but is here described from Crosby as finishing here allows refreshments at a better, independent, pub, the Butchers Arms, and lunch could also then be taken in Orton at the Scar Café or the Chocolate factory. You can park near the junction in the centre of CR, and go towards the church to turn right down a path, a track to start, which soon joins the Lyvennet Beck. This is followed, crossing it at Holme Bridge, and resisting any temptation to recross it, till it descends through a wood to cross a tributary below Crosby Lodge. Just south of the lodge the low remains of an Anglo-Roman settlement, Burwens, can be explored on the left. This is one of four in the area, the others are east of the B road to Orton, and best seen on Goggle Earth. The path turns right round Crosby Lodge and continues southwards. Ignore a right turn which descends, your route gently ascends and crosses a wall at the top, into open access country. The path here is now not obvious: head half right aiming for a dip in the horizon, which leads down to Robin Hood’s Grave, a “cairn”. Continue up the defile then the path descends through and over many walls to cross a stream on the left of the direct line and through the churchyard. The unusual white tower of the church will have been visible as your friendly guide. Turn left through the church yard and cross the B road (the Scar Café is down on the right), onto a minor road, turning left shortly then right on the next signed path. Another left and right on an improved path leads to a boggy section, and eventually to a minor road. Turn left to Scar Side, and past this left on a bridleway climbing diagonally up Oton Scar. Near the top veer northwards at a signpost and follow the track, soon leading through a wall on the left then a delightful path through heather on the limestone base, through Gaythorne Plain to the B road. You can either go up the road and then left at the top on a Bridleway, or go left by the wall and then a small quarry to join it later. A pleasant descent, eventually by road leads to Orton, taking a path near the bottom across a bridge is better than the road back to the start and a welcoming pub.
Burwens Anglo-Roman settlement, traces of the buildings. “Robin Hood’s Grave Grave” Crosby Ravensworth from the descent track. Crosby Ravensworth Church
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