Arnside Knott, Cumbria

[shelagh]

This one of our favourite places and we like to walk to the 'Meadow'.  From the car park it takes about 15 minutes at a slow amble.  It has wonderful views across Morecambe bay and the estuary of the Lune (I think that's right).

We were 2 weeks too late this year, we only managed to get there yesterday but here is what we found.

Straight through the gate at the end of the car park and there was a carpet of Alpine strawberries. Once up on the meadow we spotted 14 Early purple orchids unfortunately they were all going or gone over. Then the Ajuga caught our eye. Rock Rose and Veronica and Potentilla and Polygala.  My picture shows this as much too blue it was a wonderful shade of purple.

[shelagh]

It always makes me laugh to see the best plants growing on the large ant heaps which are dotted about.

We found just a couple of this tiny Crepis?

At first I thought I had found a wonderful fungi but then realised it was an abandoned Tangerine which had been skilfully emptied.

But what you really come to see are the Primula veris, sadly well past their best.

[shelagh]

When the meadow is in it's full glory it is covered in Primula veris.  Then when you can lift your eyes from the plants you see the view across the Bay.

Our route to and fro meant negotiating many fallen Birches, a very sad sight.  Just off the path we spotted a large 10/12 ft circle of green and went off to investigate.  It was a wonderful ferny dell but I'm not sure which one so I've included a close up in case any one can help with identification.

[Maggi Young]

Yup, that's definitely a Fern!! 

That is a super place - and the view to the sea isn't bad either!

[shelagh]

Almost back to the car there was a lonely Blechnum spicant. 

Also a very ancient pine actually there were 3 but only this one seemed to be showing any signs of life.

The Knott is limestone and most of it belongs to the National Trust but it was looking a bit neglected.

[Olive Mason]

When the meadow is in it's full glory it is covered in Primula veris.  Then when you can lift your eyes from the plants you see the view across the Bay.

Our route to and fro meant negotiating many fallen Birches, a very sad sight.  Just off the path we spotted a large 10/12 ft circle of green and went off to investigate.  It was a wonderful ferny dell but I'm not sure which one so I've included a close up in case any one can help with identification.

Can I suggest Phegopteris connectilis, Beech fern

[shelagh]

Having searched several of our reference books I'm sure you are right, thank you Olive.

[Anthony Darby]

Wasn't there a continental version of Cyprepedium calceolus there, until one man and his dog ripped it out?

[shelagh]

Not sure if it was actually on the Knott Anthony, but yes one was stolen some years ago.  Now you can find them in the Silverdale area, closely guarded when they're in flower and it's a wonderful sight.

[SteveC2]

The C. calceolus are in flower now at nearby Gait Barrows, apparently less than last year though.  Not guarded, available for all to see.  I am not revealing anything sensitive here, this is common knowledge.  I just wish the press would stop publishing articles claiming that Cyps are rare and fetch up to £500 a cutting etc.

[shelagh]

Yep it sure doesn't help.