Whitbarrow, Arnside and Silverdale

Species-rich grassland meadow at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve, Silverdale, Lancashire.

Species-rich grassland meadow at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve, Silverdale, Lancashire.

The Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve near Silverdale, Lancashire, includes areas of low-elevation limestone pavement such as seen here and is home to a rich variety of plants, birds and animal life, including some very rare species. Natural England leaflet here: publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5368002631...

Originally uploaded for the Guesswhere UK Group. The Gait Barrows NNR near Silverdale, Lancashire, includes areas of low-elevation limestone pavement such as seen here and is home to a rich variety of plants, birds and animal life, including some very rare species. Natural England leaflet here: publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5368002631... From the NNR leaflet: "Lying at the heart of the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve is one of Britain’s most important limestone landscapes. The NNR contains an intricate mosaic of limestone habitats that are home to a rich variety of exciting and often rare wildlife. From open rock pavements to damp fen; from deep yew forest to the tranquillity of Hawes Water, there is much to see on a visit to Gait Barrows." A beautiful place, but it is also home to deer ticks and I was unfortunate enough to be bitten during my visit and subsequently contracted Lyme disease as a result. Fortunately, early treatment with antibiotics did the trick and I am now fully recovered. :-)

Yew trees growing on low-elevation limestone pavement at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve, Silverdale, Lancashire.

Low-elevation limestone pavement at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve, Silverdale, Lancashire.

This is a view from Arnside promenade looking northwards over the Kent estuary and the Arnside viaduct with the Lake District fells beyond. Taken a few minutes after sunset and just a few days before the summer solstice, the sun sets a long way round to the north-west.

Originally uploaded for the GuesswhereUK group. This is a view from Arnside promenade looking north-westwards over the Kent estuary towards Limegarth Wood and Sunnyside Farm (centre right). Taken just a few days before the summer solstice, the sun sets a long way round to the north-west.

This is a view from Arnside promenade looking north-westwards over the Kent estuary towards Limegarth Wood and Sunnyside Farm (centre right). Taken just a few days before the summer solstice, the sun sets a long way round to the north-west.