signed inscribed and dated
Birks Bridge is a traditional stone-built bridge over the River Duddon in the English Lake District, in Dunnerdale-with-Seathwaite, Cumbria.Poet Laureate and inveterate traveller in England, William Wordsworth loved the Lake District, but within these sceptred acres he had a particular fondness for the Duddon Valley, which he explored as a child and where he later composed a series of 35 sonnets lauding the area, recalling his time spent there contemplating the passing of life and the rugged, sylvan beauty of the countryside.Today, it is well off the beaten track and is a richly rewarding departure beyond Lakeland’s core.
"Pure flow the verse, pure, vigorous, free, and bright, For Duddon, long-loved Duddon, is my theme" (1st Duddon Sonnet)
With these words in mind, cross the concrete bridge and trace the forestry road ahead-left, shortly passing well above Birks Farm. To your right is Harter Fell; ahead are the crinkled Dunnerdale Fells and the pyramidal Stickle Pike; in the distance is the whaleback of Black Combe. Just round a sharp right-hand bend, turn left on a gravely path to walk to the distant Grassguards Farm.