Scout Scar

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

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Scout Scar

Underbarrow Road, Kendal, LA8 8HB
Scout Scar
Bryan Pready
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Scout Scar is an amazing 771ft tall hill, with an awe-inspiring cliff-edge and views all around the county. Featured in Alfred Wainwright’s series of classic mountaineering and rambling books, the Scar makes an ideal target for walkers with stronger stamina based in Kendal. Nearby is the village of Underbarrow for provisions.

For those starting from Scout Scar itself, it’s possible to take a short circular walk that offers a visual panorama across the Lakeland Fells on Scout Scar near Kendal. Simply pass up the path from the nearby car park and you’ll find yourself at the top of the scar, where there’s a ‘viewing mushroom’ containing an identifier so that you can pick out the other peaks in the distance. The path comes back round to the car park. Heading south from the Scar gets you to the Barrowfield woods.

The scar is a few miles due west of Kendal and its base can be reached by car. Continuing westerly – and if you’re in the lake district already, why wouldn’t you – will eventually bring you to the awe-inspiring Lake Windermere, a world-renowned site of natural beauty that must be seen to be believed.

On the east bank lies Bowness on Windermere, a picturesque town with plenty of options for food and drink on your way, and continuing north and over the water you’ll find Wray Castle, which is a National Trust property and a fascinating example of Victorian Neo-Gothic architecture. From this point you might circle back to Kendal, or you can attempt the mighty Claife Heights mountain peak.

Meanwhile, continuing south from Scout Scar will eventually bring you to Sizergh Castle, another beautifully preserved manor house, the earliest parts of which date from the fourteenth or fifteenth century.

Whether you’re using Scout Scar as a short trip or as a springboard to the rest of the lakes, the ridge makes an impressive chapter in your journey.

What's on near Scout Scar

Rose Condo
LiteratureKendal
Verbalise at Kendal Brewery Arts

Rose Condo is a multi-award-winning poet and spoken word artist, who carefully blends poetry and prose to create live shows she performs with aplomb.

From £11.00
A large mechanical puppet controlled by multiple people. Encounter Festival in Preston
FestivalsLancashire
Encounter Festival in Preston

Expect a jam-packed day of outdoor performance, live music, family fun – plus Preston’s iconic Torchlight Procession and fireworks finale.

Free entry
MusicBlackburn
Confessional Festival

Blackburn’s Confessional Festival turns ten, celebrating with two days of live music set beneath the stained glass and vaulted stonework of Holy Trinity Church.

From £20

Where to go near Scout Scar

Comida
Kendal and Sedbergh
Restaurant
Comida

Spanish inspired restaurant serves up Iberian classic dishes such as Spanish Omelette and Chorizo, plus many intriguing wines.

Cross Lane Projects, Kendal, Cumbria. Art gallery, artist studios and exhibition space
Kendal and Sedbergh
Gallery
Cross Lane Projects

Founded by artists Rebecca Scott and Mark Woods, Cross Lane Projects brings new contemporary art to Cumbria and is situated in a former Kendal Mint Cake factory in central Kendal.

Fell Bar Brewery
Kendal and Sedbergh
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Fell Bar Brewery

Fell Bar is an outlet for the Fell Brewery and a great independent venue in itself, with a broad range of connoisseur-level craft beers.

Cumbria
Gallery
Abbot Hall Art Gallery

Built in 1759 as a private home, today the Gade I listed Abbot Hall Art Gallery is one of the best centres for visual art in Cumbria.

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