Satterthwaite and Rusland Woodlands

Although a serenely peaceful place today, it is not long since this forest and the streams that course through it supported a range of industries, many of which had operated for centuries. Little more than 100 years ago, you would still have been able to find working watermills in the valleys and see woodcutters at work coppicing the trees. The air was once heavy with the smoke of charcoal burning or the acrid smell of iron smelting. Strange as it may seem, if it had not been for that industrial tradition, the rich forests and woodlands that today lend so much character and beauty to this corner of Lakeland might have disappeared long ago, replaced by the open sheep walks prevalent throughout so much of the countryside.

Medieval industry

Before the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the monks at Furness Abbey managed extensive iron ore mines and needed a constant supply of charcoal to reduce it to iron. The woodland here provided a ready source of timber, but simply to fell the trees would have exhausted the stock before a new crop could be grown. However, by coppicing the boles a steady supply of small timber was guaranteed, since new wood could be harvested every 15 years or so. Bloomeries (small furnaces) were established deep within the forest, for it was more economic to bring in the ore than take out the charcoal. After the monks were expelled, the estates passed into private hands and the industries continued to grow. By the 18th century new techniques needed power to drive machinery. Mills sprang up beside the streams, powering bellows and forge hammers that beat impurities from the metal, which was being produced in ever-larger and more efficient furnaces around Backbarrow. This walk passes two former mills – Force Forge and Force Mills.

Rich habitat

Although the industry here has now disappeared, the forest remains an important resource, managed to provide a renewable supply of timber for today’s manufacturers. It is also a rich wildlife habitat, and valued as a recreational retreat. In many ways, the forest is being made to work just as hard today as it has ever done, and long may it remain for future generations to enjoy.

Take the right-hand path from the back of the car park, marked by greenand white-topped posts, heading over a rise to a forest track. Turn left and, after 400yds (366m), turn left on a steep path through birch trees. Cross another track at the top and descend. At the bottom bear right on a metalled track into Satterthwaite.

Turn left by the church and walk through the village. After 0.25 miles (400m), at a left-hand bend, go right onto a track, Moor Lane, and shortly bear left on a path rising into the trees. Fork left at a post. The path goes through a dry-stone wall sculpture, descends across a vague track, then meets a clearer one.

Turn right. Passing a waterfall, look out for Bathers, part of the forest art project (see walk 19). The track bends across the stream and rises to a junction. Turn left for 220yds (201m) and branch left again onto an unmarked and inconspicuous, descending footpath.

Emerging onto a lane at the bottom, go right, then turn left between cottages at Force Forge. Cross a stile on the right, in front of a house, then follow a tall beech hedge round left to a bridge. Continue through a deer fence into Brewer Wood, then turn right on a wider track.

Go through another deer fence. Eventually fork left (waymarked) and carry on through trees. At an indistinct fork beyond the crest of the hill, take the right-hand branch, which descends to the Rusland Reading Room. Cross a stile and walk out to the lane by St Paul’s church. Turn left. (If you miss the indistinct fork, don’t worry, as the left branch also leads to the church.)

Soon leave the lane for a byway opposite a junction. Climb beside wooded pastures, then drop to a lane at Force Mills. Go right and then left to ascend beside Force Falls.

At a green and white post, part-way up the hill, turn right onto a path climbing steeply into a larch plantation. Turn right and climb to a gap in a wall. A little further on, bear right (green waymark) and descend back to the car park.