Nannycatch Gate marks the point where quiet country lane gives way to open fell, and the Coast to Coast walk enters the secluded valley of Nannycatch Beck. Ahead, the path threads between the scree-strewn slopes of Flat Fell and the gentler flank of Scaly Moss, leaving the settled landscape behind for the first true taste of Lakeland scenery.

Looking back, the Coast to Coast path can be traced as it descends through the narrowing corridor of Nannycatch Valley towards Nannycatch Gate. The imposing scree slopes of Flat Fell gradually fall away behind, leaving a final impression of this secluded beck valley before the route climbs onto the open fell.

Emerging from the narrow confines of Nannycatch Valley, the Coast to Coast path reaches the open ground beneath the north-eastern slopes of Flat Fell. Here the landscape broadens into rough pasture and moorland, with Blakeley Moss and its prehistoric stone circle just beyond, marking the threshold between the enclosed beck valley and the wide uplands ahead.

Looking back along the Coast to Coast path, the full length of Nannycatch Valley unfolds between the steep slopes of Flat Fell and Scaly Moss. Threaded by Nannycatch Beck, the valley forms a remarkably narrow corridor through the fells, guiding walkers along one of the most secluded sections of the western approach to Lakeland.

Fed by springs rising on Blakeley Moss, Nannycatch Beck accompanies the Coast to Coast path throughout the valley, its clear waters weaving quietly between the enclosing fells. Beyond Nannycatch Gate, the beck joins Linkrigg Gill to become Kirk Beck, continuing its journey to the River Ehen and, ultimately, the Irish Sea.

At Nannycatch Gate, the Coast to Coast path leaves the secluded valley of Nannycatch Beck and joins Nannycatch Road beneath the rugged outcrop of Raven Crag. Standing guard on the south-western shoulder of Dent Fell, the crag forms a natural gateway where the routes through Uldale and Nannycatch Valley converge before the climb into the higher fells begins.

A close view of the Hemerocallis cultivar known as Nanny Button Cap — a mauve-lavender lily with a dark eyezone and frilled edge. While admired for its floral beauty, the word “Nanny” has long carried eerie undertones in Cumbrian and Yorkshire folklore. A close view of the Hemerocallis cultivar Nanny Button Cap, admired for its soft mauve-lavender blooms, dark eye and delicately ruffled petals. Along the Coast to Coast route, the name “Nanny” appears in several intriguing places, including Nannycatch Gate, Nanny’s Nook and Nanny Ward’s Well, each surrounded by its own local stories and traditions. While Nannycatch itself may derive from the ancient Brittonic Nant-y-Calch (“limestone stream”), the repeated appearance of “Nanny” in northern folklore has long encouraged tales of witches, fairies and other mysterious presences, lending an enduring air of enchantment to the landscape.

West of Nannycatch Gate, the broad Uldale Valley opens between the wooded slopes of Dent Fell to the north and Lowther Park to the south. Across its gently rolling floor, Kirk Beck meanders westwards, formed by the meeting of Nannycatch Beck and Linkrigg Gill. In early summer, wildflower meadows brighten the valley, adding vibrant colour to this peaceful pastoral landscape.

During early summer, the floor of Uldale Valley becomes a tapestry of native wildflowers, their colours contrasting beautifully with the green pastures and surrounding fells. The valley sides are clothed with hawthorn, blackthorn and other native shrubs, creating a rich mosaic of habitats that supports butterflies, birds and a wealth of other wildlife. It is a peaceful corner of the Coast to Coast where geology has quietly given way to nature.

The Coast to Coast path descends the gentle western slopes of Dent Fell towards the Uldale Valley, opposite the confluence with Linkrigg Gill. Just beyond the photograph, Raven Crag projects from the fellside, while the well-defined path continues its steady descent to Nannycatch Gate, where the open fell gives way to the enclosed valley below.

Kirk Beck meanders quietly through Uldale, often hidden beneath overgrown banks and tangled riverside vegetation. Formed by the meeting of Nannycatch Beck and Linkrigg Gill, it continues its gentle journey towards the River Ehen, passing through Wilton, Haile and Beckermet before reaching the sea.