Lowther Estate, Cumbria, Autumn

Autumn’s definitely here. You know what’s also here? The Great British Changeable Weather.

I took an educated guess at the weather today and decided our best bet for good light and conditions would be East Lake District/Cumbria during mid-morning/early afternoon. So! We ventured to the Lowther Castle and its Estate, for a healthy jaunt from the castle grounds to Askham Fell and back round.

Driving to Lowther was… interesting. It involves taking the A6 up and over Shap Fell, whereupon we were greeted with a thickness of fog that a Live Music Stage FX Producer would be proud of. Once we arrived at Lowther, the cloud base was starting to lift and the sun made various attempts to breakthrough.

Thankfully, as we hiked up Askham Fell, and back down through Helton, the cloud cover truly lifted and we enjoyed glorious autumnal scenes.

All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. If you’re wondering why the right hand side of my photos appears constantly out of focus, it’s because I think there’s a broken element in my lens. Damn.

Images developed using RNI Films’ Kodachrome film profile.

The ruins of Lowther Castle, a popular destination for many families. The fog was gone but we were still waiting for the cloud base to lift.

The way to the Lowther Castle Courtyard. Not our destination for the day, though maybe after the hike.

I implore visitors to explore the ruins of Lowther Castle. It’s epic.

Down into the woods we go. Autumn colours are really starting to pop in Cumbria.

One of many abandoned entrances into the various private areas of the Lowther Estate.

Look at them beautiful colours.

The path pops out of the woodland beneath Lowther Castle, and follows alongside the River Lowther. The cloud cover finally starts to break up.

Sunlight breaks through and picks out the tiny village of Helton above the River Lowther.

One of my favourite parts of this hike is when you come off the road to Whale and up the “lonnin” (lane) alongside Millkeld Sike towards Helton.

We would’ve like to have spotted more fungi, but we did see what I think is known as “Chicken of the Woods” or—more properly—Laetiporus sulphureus.

My lovely Lisabet, capturing the beautiful that was developing through the lane.

Our way to Helton…

Sloe! Otherwise known as Blackthorn, and more properly Prunus spinosa. Good for making Gin with.

We follow the minor road, south of Helton, which will eventually lead us to the bridleway up onto Askham Fell.

Our goal: Askham Fell, with its fellside traced with dry stone walls.

There were quite a lot of Kendal Rough Fell sheep around the area, which I was happy to see. You tend find more Swaledale around here.

On the way up the bridleway toward Askham Fell, we stop to admire this dilapidated barn.

We paused on our way up the bridleway to admire the light and views towards Burtree Scar.

Near the flat top of Askham Fell, there were a fair few hay bales dotted around the fell side, which I didn’t expect.

Another Kendal Rough Fell yow, chilling as we made our towards Helton.

An impossibly pretty farmhouse, with many of its original features still intact.

Helton has some proper bonny cottages.

Didn’t spot any red squirrels, unfortunately.

This row of cottages in Helton enjoy some crackin’ views across the valley to Burtree Scar and the Ullswater Fells.

By this point in the day, the sky was really starting to clear up. Another barn gave me a lovely subject for this composition.

Into the woods near Gillriggs Cover as we make our way towards Askham and ultimately back to Lowther Castle.

The track took us past St. Peter’s church in Askham. Some of its windows and gravestones have seen better days.

A very low and dry River Lowther, shot as we crossed Askham Bridge to head back up the woods to Lowther Castle.

Just a nice scene and soft light as we hiked up the steep route through Lowther Castle woods.

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Conic Hill, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Scotland, Autumn

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Singleton Park, Cumbria, Autumn