LRO ref DDX 194/36

Part I - Carters to Cartmel - Distance 3.25 miles

The way across the sands has varied on a day to day basis due to fluctuations in the tides leaving soft sand and whirlpools in different locations. It has also altered over the years caused by the changing course of the river Kent. Official Guides by virtue of the Duchy of Lancaster are available to ensure a safe crossing of both this bay and the crossing to Ulverston from Sand Side. Originally the crossing over Ulverston sands was by virtue of Conishead Priory and that over Morecambe was by virtue of Cartmel Priory. At some stage a regular coach service ran to and from Lancaster and Ulverston.

The surveying team crossed the sands to Kents Bank and a short walk along the coast came to Carters House the residence of the Guide. This route starts at Carters house with the name “Wid: Houghman of Cartmell Kirktown” written adjacently. One wonders if Widow Houghman was the official guide at that time. It followed the edge of the sands for 260 yards by six dwellings and shrubs at the half-mile distance. At “Falgate” [Fell Gate] the way, on the right hand side, became open after a short wall whereas on the other side the wall was continuous with some trees and two dwellings.

At High Gate Fell, for some strange reason, the left-hand way was taken with walls on one side for a mile as it went by Templand Fell. Heading for Templand by passing “Allethest” [Allithwaite] by two furlongs, across the corner of a field, and a further right turn at two furlongs to Headless Cross and Cartmel. Only one dwelling was shown at Headless Cross but there were three more on the way into town.

Part II - Cartmel to Grange - Distance 2.25 miles

The Part I measure finished at the bridge over the stream before the Cartmel market place. The surveyors walked back down the lane 165 yards before setting off for Grange and with a zero setting on the dimensurator. There were about ten dwellings at the crossroads 200 yards from the start. The lane wound along for a mile walled at both sides where Richard Fell resided. The way went left at the High Gate Fell crossroads over open land on the Grange Fells. The lane was bounded by walls followed by shrubs until the village of Grange, with its fourteen houses, was reached.