Hoad Hill and the Sir John Barrow Monument from Ulverston
Ulverston's landmark walk: up The Gill and over Flan Hill to the lighthouse-shaped Barrow Monument on the Hoad, with Morecambe Bay below.
- Distance
- 4.5 km
- 2.8 miles
- Ascent
- 109 m
- High point 131 m
- Time
- 1 hour
- Walking time, no stops
- Grade
- Moderate
- Circular
Take this walk with you
Google Maps does not know most fell paths, so use it to get to the start, then follow the GPX in an app like OS Maps, Komoot or AllTrails. To see the line in Google Maps, open Google My Maps, create a map, choose Import and pick the KML file. It then appears in the Google Maps app under Saved, Maps.
Weather on this walk
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You cannot miss the Hoad. The Sir John Barrow Monument, a stone tower built in 1850 in the style of the Eddystone Lighthouse, stands on the hill above Ulverston like a lighthouse that took a wrong turn inland. It honours Barrow, the Ulverston-born naval administrator and promoter of Arctic exploration.
This loop takes the long way up, which is the right way. It follows the wooded Gill, the first steps of the Cumbria Way, crosses Flan Hill for a first look over the bay, then climbs through Out Rake Plantation and along the open fell to the monument. On open days you can climb the 112 narrow steps inside for an even bigger view.
The descent to Ford Park is very steep, so pick the zig-zag paths. It is a satisfying couple of hours for families and anyone visiting the town.
The route
- 1
Up The Gill
From the car park pick up the path at The Gill, the start of the Cumbria Way, and follow it gently uphill through the wooded glade with the beck on your left.
- 2
Over Flan Hill
Leave the Gill through a gate onto Old Hall Road, cross with care and climb the steep grassy field onto Flan Hill. There is sometimes a bull in this field. Pause for the view over the bay, then skirt round the hill to Town Bank Road and turn right.
- 3
Out Rake Plantation
After a short distance take the footpath on the left into Out Rake Plantation. A gradual climb of about 300 metres leads to a large wooden stile over a wall onto the open fell.
- 4
The Hoad
Follow the fell path to the Sir John Barrow Monument on the summit of Hoad Hill, 133 metres above the town, with views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells.
- 5
Down to Ford Park and town
Choose a zig-zag path for the very steep descent to Ford Park, with its gardens, play area and café. Leave by the main drive, turn right on Spout Lane and follow the path through the parish churchyard and back through the streets to the start.
Questions people ask
Can you go inside the Hoad Monument?
Yes, on open days. Ulverston Town Council publishes the opening times, and there are 112 narrow steps to the top.
How long is the walk up the Hoad?
This circuit is about three miles and takes around two hours. The direct climb from the foot of the hill is much shorter but steep.
Why does the Hoad Monument look like a lighthouse?
It was built in 1850 in the style of the Eddystone Lighthouse, as a memorial to Sir John Barrow.
More walks nearby
Cartmel, Speel Bank and How Barrow
Moderate, 10.2 km, 195 m up, about 2 hours 30 minutes
From Cartmel Priory and the racecourse through Park Wood to Speel Bank, south along the Ellerside ridge past How Barrow and back by the lanes.
Gummer's How above Windermere
Easy, 2.0 km, 115 m up, about 30 minutes
The quickest big view of Windermere: a short climb from a free Forestry England car park to a trig point looking up the whole length of the lake.