A Low-Level Circuit Around a Quiet Tarn

Why a Low-Level Circuit Deserves Your Boots

There's a particular kind of walking day that only works when you stop trying to bag anything. No summit, no trig point, no scramble. Just a slow loop around a quiet tarn, a paperback in the rucksack and no particular schedule. This circuit sits firmly in that category, and it's all the better for it.

At roughly four miles with about 120 metres of gentle ascent, it's manageable in trainers on a dry day and lovely in boots on a wet one. The going underfoot is mostly grassy trod and old cart track, with one short rocky section near the northern end that asks for a bit of care. Navigation is straightforward: the water is almost always in sight, and on the few stretches where it isn't, the path is clear enough that you can walk and talk without checking the map every hundred yards. That alone makes it a fine choice for a first solo outing, or for a companion who'd rather chat than navigate.

The Route, Step by Step

Begin at the roadside pull-in by the old field gate, where there's space for four or five cars and a helpful information board. From here the path heads away from the road, downhill and slightly left, into open pasture.

• First mile: follow the wall on your right down to the outflow. The ground is soft and can be boggy after rain, so pick your line rather than marching straight through the middle.
• Second mile: the path curves left around the western shore, rising slightly through a band of birch and rowan. This is the most sheltered part of the walk and the best stretch for hearing birds.
• Third mile: a short rocky step takes you onto the northern shoulder. Nothing exposed, but hands on rock in one or two places if it's wet.
• Final stretch: a broad, grassy track leads back along the eastern side, past a ruined sheepfold, to the gate where you started.

Allow two and a half hours at a relaxed pace, or three if you're stopping to read. There's a shorter version that cuts across the middle of the loop and takes an hour off the total, though it misses the best of the birdlife.

Birds, and What You Might See

The tarn is shallow, reedy at its southern end and rich in the small invertebrates that keep birds busy. Go quietly along the western shore and you'll be rewarded. Expect the usual cast of characters, plus a few less common visitors if you time it well:

• Mallard and tufted duck on open water, often in loose rafts near the centre.
• Little grebe, more often heard than seen — a whinnying trill from the reeds is the giveaway.
• Grey heron, usually one bird, motionless at the northern edge for absurd lengths of time.
• Curlew and lapwing over the surrounding fields in spring, with skylark song above them.
• Pied wagtail and grey wagtail along the outflow, where the water runs over stones.

A small pair of binoculars earns its place in your bag here. Early morning is best, and the hour before dusk runs it close.

Sheltered Spots for Sitting and Reading

Part of the charm of a low-level circuit is that you can stop without guilt. Three places are worth noting.

The first is a flat slate outcrop on the western shore, tucked behind a low bank and out of the worst of the wind. It faces east, so it catches the morning sun and stays pleasant even when the breeze is brisk. The second is the lee side of the ruined sheepfold on the eastern return leg — a proper sun trap, sheltered on three sides, and dry enough to sit on the stones. The third is a grassy shelf just below the northern shoulder, looking back down the length of the water. It's the finest view of the three, but the most exposed, so save it for a still day.

Bring something short and absorbing rather than heavy. A slim volume of essays or a well-thumbed poetry collection suits the rhythm of the day: a page or two, then a look up at the water, then another page. Novels with complicated plots struggle against that much distraction.

What to Carry

You don't need much, but a few things transform the day from pleasant to genuinely comfortable.

• Waterproof jacket and trousers — British weather changes its mind without warning.
• Boots or sturdy trainers with decent grip; the boggy section is no place for smooth soles.
• A 1:25,000 map and a compass, even though you'll probably not need them.
• Flask and a decent sandwich, plus something to sit on — a folded foam mat weighs almost nothing.
• Insect repellent from June to August, when the midges near the reeds are enthusiastic.
• Your book, in a dry bag if rain is forecast.

Timing and Small Practicalities

Spring and early summer give you the birds, the wildflowers and the longest daylight. Late autumn offers still, clear air and the best light on the water, though the path holds mud. High summer is fine, but start early to enjoy the quiet before the middle of the day.

Park considerately — the pull-in is small and used by local farmers. Leave gates as you find them, keep dogs on a lead near the water between March and July, and take everything home with you. Then settle in, open the book, and let the afternoon do the rest.