Hawes Water

Location: SD 478 766, w3w///cared.flocking.wordplay

Hawes Water looking at Challan Hall. Image: Janet Hargreaves

Hawes water is the largest pond in the AONB. In fact, despite its modest size, it is the largest natural water source in the whole of Lancashire. It is a 12.5 metre deep depression where the limestone has collapsed, forming a sinkhole or ‘doline’. It is lined with a sticky layer of calcium carbonate called ‘Marl’ which is covered in peat and the distinct clay formed from this geology has been used for local pottery.

Marl at water’s edge at Haweswater – Here the dense clay lining can be seen at the water margin. Image: Janet Hargreaves

In 1903 J Anthony Barnes describes the ‘little lake of Hayes Water’ [as it was then called] fed by small tarn [now Little Haweswater], more than a mile round, very deep almost treeless and its shores consist of an immense deposit of small shells – chalk in the making ‘. Over 100 hundred years later, the shell fragments observed by Barnes can still be seen, forming the foundation of this unusual and special environment.

The best observation can be made in the fenced area between the path just north of the boardwalk and the pond margin. Here the marl is exposed, and from a distance looks quite unpromising. Taking a closer view, minute shells, a couple of millimetres in size can be seen along with many other fragments.

Marl Shells and Marl at Hawes Water. Images: Janet Hargreaves

Vegetation and grazing cattle bring shells to the surface and here fragments of marl and whole shells can be seen on the top of fungi.

Fungi with Marl Shells. Images: Janet Hargreaves

Woodland has now developed and Haweswater Moss which was once drained for farmland has been restored. The whole area is abundant in rare collections of trees, wild flowers, aquatic plans and insect, and butterflies. Not surprisingly this earns the site an SSSI rating, and the very detailed survey of flora and fauna can be found in their report.

Hawes Water. Images: Janet Hargreaves

Haweswater has been an important water source for centuries; it was named in the 1817 enclosure act as a ‘watering place’ that required public access. Tracks over the newly privatised land were approved for bringing livestock to drink and for collecting water. In times of drought water was taken by cart to neighbouring areas such as Silverdale, although it has also been a leisure and wildlife destination for some time.

Landowners have not always been happy with this open access: in 1896 when the parish council erected a footpath sign, the then owners argued that it was not a public right of way, only an access path for water. The signpost stayed, and further challenges in 1916 lead to the police being involved. In 1920 the parish council placed a seat for walkers on the shore, which was promptly thrown into the lake! Nowadays Hawes Water is part of the Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve and so is open to the general public.

Gait Barrows NNR. Image: Janet Hargreaves

Hawes water even boasts its own legend:  A giant eel or snake is said to have lived in the lake and sometimes to have taken lambs. ‘Evidence’ for this can be found on the nearby Bowk [buck or rocking] stone where legend has it the deep grooves show where the eel wrapped its self around. The grid reference for this large erratic bolder is SD 47 76; this is on private land across the road from Challan Hall and is not accessible. You can however see it from the road, tucked between farm buildings and machinery.

The Bowk Stone of Hawes Water. 

Walking around Haweswater:

Haweswater can be approached by a number of footpaths, including route 10 of the AONB’s easy access walks.

None of the following routes are difficult but some involve styles, walking on the road or a rail crossing:

• From Silverdale station turn right and walk around 1km along Red Bridge Lane, turn right onto Moss Lane which leads you directly to Haweswater.
• There is on road parking by Challan Hall, where the footpath can be clearly seen.
• Parking is also available in the Eaves Wood National Trust car park. Turn left out of the car park and right onto Red Bridge Lane where the footpath sign can be seen on your left. This route has styles and an open railway crossing.

Footpath from Red Bridge Lane to Challan Hall. Image: Janet Hargreaves

Roads in the AONB are often narrow and with no walkway, and Red Bridge Lane is no exception. Walkers, cyclists and car drivers are asked to be careful and respectful of other road users and to follow the Highway Code.

The Gait Barrows guide or OS map 97 are useful for extending this walk to take in other areas such as Silverdale, RSPB Leighton Moss, Trowbarrow Local Nature Reserve and the limestone pavement at Gait Barrows.