Humphrey Head

Situated between the villages of Allithwaite and Flookburgh, Humphrey Head is a low rocky promontory extending for about one mile into Morecambe Bay. The Humphrey Head Outdoor Centre access road leads to a gentle uphill walk, reaching only 152 feet at its highest point. 

Soon we were greeted by panoramic views in all directions. Looking towards Cark we could just make out the white shape of Hoad monument in the far distance while Arnside Knott came into view, as we passed the Outdoor Centre.

The shape of the Hawthorn trees gave us a clue as to the direction of the prevailing winds as we made our way to the Trig point at the summit.

Heysham Power Station lies to the South, across the broad expanse of Morecambe Bay.

Downhill to Humphrey Head Point, as it tapers off into Morecambe Bay.

Local folklore claims that Humphrey Head was the location of the killing of the last wolf in England. Tales from other areas make the same claim; I suppose we'll never know the truth. One version of the local story says that the wolf descended from the Lakeland Fells near Coniston, where it had been decimating flocks of sheep. When it attacked a local child the villagers chased it to the rocks at the Humphrey Head Point, where they killed it.

  

The scene was a much more tranquil one when we visited. Meadow Pipits were busy collecting grasshoppers for their young and dozens of rabbits barely gave us a second glance as we headed back along the eastern side of the hill, taking the footpath through a nearby wood.

Once through the woods the path led us back to the Outdoor Centre which we passed by, returning to the road below. A walk of a few hundred yards brought us to the western side of the hill, its limestone cliff face being the only sea cliff of any height in the area.

 Intrepid climbers might be tempted to scale the cliff face to reach the natural arch, but should take heed of a warning carved into a stone below.

 

"Beware how you these rocks ascend. Here William Pedder met his end. August 22nd 1857. Aged 10 years"

We were lucky enough to see a family of Peregrine Falcons. The two chicks were learning the high speed acrobatic flying techniques of their parents, as they chased them around the skies trying to snatch the prey from their huge yellow talons.

After the flying lesson was over, the young birds were allowed to have their meal.

 Watch a short clip of the Peregrine chicks chasing their parent in a bid to get food.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you've enjoyed the photos.