Lund’s Tower & Wainman’s Pinnacle walk – Salt and Pepper pots!

Our first relaxed lockdown walk was to Lund’s Tower and Wainman’s Pinnacle. Situated in North Yorkshire above the village of Sutton in Craven, the towers are known locally as the Salt and Pepper pots. Both Towers have several other names and Lund’s tower is a stone folly, built in 1887. Driving back from Skipton most days, out of the corner of my eye I would see a tower perched up on the moorland, but eyes on the road never got a good look. After a miserable week I really needed some fresh air and a little adventure. After a bit of research, I found my towers on the OS map and found a route to use on the Happy Hiker website.

Hip2trek family back to camera walk up tree lined road Landscape looking across fields, tower can be seen on moors Drystone wall in foreground, across fields in distance tower can be seen Looking up to Lund's Tower, crags below

There are several considerations to take into account when heading out for a walk in these new times. Up until now we’ve not been heading for the hills and our walking habits have changed. With no facilities available, toilet stops must be taken into account! Go before you set off and if you need a wild wee, do so considerately. We also packed lots of hand sanitiser and boy did we use it. There are lots of stiles and gateposts to go through and we cleaned our hands after every one. There are some rather skinny squeeze stiles too, so backpacks needed to come off and on a few times. We also passed through several farmyards. The farmers we encountered were friendly and polite, but make sure you stick to the path and don’t touch anything you don’t have to. I had my OS app and a paper map ready, just in case we were asked to change our route.

Back to the walk. We parked on the street outside St Thomas’ church, in Sutton in Craven. The walk is approx. 7 miles and we chose the hottest and muggiest day to do it! Once you get going and on a farm path you are able to see the towers above you. The kids complained that they were miles away! It was a steady and sweaty climb up to Lund’s tower with a bit of road walking for the last few hundred feet. It wasn’t too busy as we made our way up the steps to the tower, there were only a few people around and everyone kept their distance. By now the overcast, muggy day had turned into blazing sunshine and we were boiling. We didn’t go inside the tower, although I’ve read you can, but we admired the fabulous view. You really can see for miles and Pendle Hill was visible in the distance, just behind our next stop, Wainman’s Pinnacle, also known as Cowling Pinnacle.

Child stands on path, Lund's tower in background, hazy view behind. View across moor to Wainman's Pinnacle Wainman's Pinnacle Hip2trek stood with child below Wainman's pinnacle

A hop skip and a jump across the moorland and you are at Wainman’s Pinnacle. This one is my favourite I think, I love its shape. It was here that we sat in glorious sunshine and had our lunch. When we’re out walking, I’m always checking we are where I think we are on the map! It was just outside a farm, not far from the pinnacle, that we stopped before going through another farmyard. I don’t want to trespass! We stood out of the way of a tractor coming towards us, but it was the Farmer making sure we were okay and directing us towards the path. We were in the right place and he was friendly and helpful, phew! “Just keep walking until you reach the end of the world” he laughed. He was right, having been so high up the path drops away after a beautiful wild meadow, it is all downhill from there.

Hip2trek selfie with Wainman's pinnacle in background Boy walks back to camera across meadow Hip2trek family walk along tree lined walled path

We walked through a small village, through fields and countryside, along the river and past woodland on the way back to Sutton. It was a walk that had everything and had done us the world of good to get outside. Even if it was rather hot and sweaty!

Across fields, tower on moors above Tree lies across a shaded path huge daisies

Top tips:

We used the postcode BD20 7JS for St Thomas’ in Sutton and found street parking in the vicinity.

Take a picnic! There are a few benches just below Lund’s Tower amongst the crags and gorse, also between the two towers is another bench with a great view. On a clear day there are nearly 360º views of the surrounding countryside. It is quite exposed so take either sun cream or a woolly hat depending on the weather.

The walk is suitable for bigger kids used to walking, however if you have little legs with you or don’t fancy a big walk there is a small car park at Wainmain’s Pinnacle, on Buck Stone Lane BD22 0NS.

If you wish to go up Lund’s Tower, I’ve heard you’ll need a torch! There is a winding staircase with no handrails.

Have you done this walk or know of a similar tower? Let me know in the comments. We love to hear from you.

The Helpful Hiker

10 comments Add yours
  1. What a fab walk. Looks like you had a cracking day for it too.

    Our local OS map has had a real beating through lockdown and we’ve discovered a cup marked stone, castle fort ruins and an old disused railway walk. It’s definitely helped to keep us sane.

    1. Oh wow, you’ve found some corkers by the sound of it. I love the app, its so useful. We’re hoping to go again this weekend if the weather behaves! Hope you have fun too if you do.

  2. What a great walk, I bet it was great to get out there again. And great tips for walking in the post Covid 19 world! I never think about cleaning gates etc and hand sanitiser, guess I need to get in the habit! Thanks so much for sharing #AdventureCalling

    1. We did go a bit mad with the hand sanitiser but probably a good habit to get the kids into. Thanks for reading!

  3. It’s amazing how helpful a good walk in the countryside can be. My first “proper” day out after lockdown was only a couple of weeks ago, and it made me feel so much better.

    This one looks lovely, and isn’t too much of a drive from me. Going to have to add it to the list pf places to visit.

    Thank you for sharing with #AdventureCalling

  4. Looks like a great walk. We’ve been discovering lots of local walks too – out 4 year old can now walk 6 miles, up from about 1.5 miles before lockdown! I agree that an OS map is essential – all too often we have found footpaths inaccessible for one reason or another and have to plan another route on the fly #AdventureCalling

    1. Aw well done to your 4 year old! Thanks for reading. Hope you discover lots more great walks.

Leave a Reply to Melanie ChaddCancel reply