Postal Path Guides

MY thanks to everyone for their interest in my book, The Postal Paths, which tells the story of the rural postmen and women who walked up to 20 miles a day delivering post to the most remote homes and farms in Britain. Many have also asked for more details on the precise routes so they can walk them too. They are all public paths and I only picked out the more picturesque paths! Remember to take an OS map and compass as some of the routes can be a bit 'vague'. And you may wish to wait until good weather although the posties walked them in all weathers of course.

Ambleside, Cumbria: Walked by Jean Brennand in the 1940s. This a gentle uphill climb from Ambleside to the Kirkstone Inn. It takes about three hours to get there and back.

Boot, Eskdale, Cumbria: The joy of this walk is that you can catch the La'al Ratty steam train from Ravenglass into Dalegarth (Boot). From there you follow this footsteps of Ben Vicars through the valley and up on to Birker Fell. Allow three hours (checking the time of the last train back!). It is a steep climb onto the fell but otherwise a gentle walk. There is a nice spot on the fell to have a packed lunch.

Dentdale, Cumbria: Perhaps the best way to reach this path is on the famous Carlisle to Settle line, jumping off at the picturesque Dent station. The path runs through people's back gardens (!) but is a public footpath and as long as you behave and keep dogs on a lead you will be warmly welcomed by the friendly folk of Dentdale. Going through back gardens was an obvious shortcut for the postman who served these farms as it saved him walking back onto the main road and along to the next farm. Dent has plenty of places to eat/drink as well as a wonderful history museum.

Eskdale Green, Cumbria: Another postal path that you can access via the La'al Ratty steam train from Ravenglass in Cumbria. It was walked by La'al Hannah (La'al is dialect for 'little') during her 61 years' service as a rural postwoman. This follows part of her route (she also delivered to the homes in the village of Eskdale Green). It is a 3-mile stretch out to the remote farm of Low Place in Miterdale. 

Glenridding, Cumbria: Incredibly, this scenic route over a Cumbrian fell was served by postman George 'The Post' Teasdale on a GPO bike (which famously didn't have gears). However, I would recommend walking it. The path takes you from Glenridding to the former lead mines and then a steep climb onto the fell. It is a gentle but narrow path back down the other side of the fell past Seldom Seen cottages and back to the main road before a short walk back into Glenridding.

Lorton, Cumbria: This is a gentle afternoon walk suitable for families. Refreshments are available in the village shop (previously the post office) and the walk takes you through the valley. You can even glimpse the famous Lorton Yew tree.

Shap, Cumbria: This is a very tough walk stretching 15 miles or more through Swindale, over Ralfland Fell and back through Wet Sleddale. Do take an OS map, compass and suitable clothing. It will take 5 or 6 hours. Park in Shap and lunch at the Birchwood cafe or other eating places in the town. The postman had to walk an extra 3 miles to Mosedale Bothy for six weeks of the year when the shepherd was living there (it is now a bothy) but you may wish to leave that excursion for another day.

Elsie's Walk, Stiperstones, Shropshire: This walk has been marked out and promoted by Elsie Rowson's family. Full details are available on the dedicated website.

The Simon Evans Way, Shropshire: The Cleobury Mortimer Footpath Association promote and maintain this walk through the Rea valley which recalls the route walked by rural postman, writer and broadcaster Simon Evans. Find out more about this remarkable man and the route he walk on the Simon Evans Way website.

Rhenigidale, Isle of Harris, Scotland: This dramatic route on the Isle of Harris was the last rural postal route to be walked. It was finally retired in 1989 when a road was built to reach the hamlet of Rhenigidale. The path was then turned into a tourist trail. It is a long and tough walk but incredibly rewarding with its views over the Atlantic. For details see the dedicated website.