Good views over the end of Windermere, the woods of Chapel House, and the curving, rising High Newton Bypass in the distance. The woods contain many old and distinguished trees. Once found, head north to the square tower on the summit mound. A handy route map gives some suggestions.
Parking can be found just over the Newby Bridge, turn left on the minor road by the river. Walk over the railway bridge, left and then turn right up the well signed path. It's steep in a couple of places, but not too bad. It zigs then zags and after some more steps a short signpost presents a choice. Go right to the viewpoint, and beyond is the cache.
The tower on the hill is known as Finsthwaite Tower, but is Listed as Pennington Lodge Tower, a Grade 2. The Tower had a commanding view when built, but has now lost one of its three stories and is rather surrounded by trees.
It was erected by James King of Finsthwaite House around 1799 as a monument to the Royal Navy's decisive victories in the Napoleonic war. In 1797 Admiral John Jervis defeated a larger Spanish fleet in the battle of Cape St Vincent, and Admiral Adam Duncan defeated the Dutch fleet at Camperdown. The following year Admiral Horatio Nelson beat the French fleet in the Battle of the Nile. These victories came at a decisive point, hindering many of Napoleon's grand plans, both military and political. There is a plaque on the Tower, which reads:
ERECTED
To the Memory of
The Officers, Seamen and Marines
of the
ROYAL NAVY
whose matchless Conduct and
irresistible Valour decisively defeated
the Fleets of France, Spain and Holland
and preserved and protected
LIBERTY and COMMERCE
1799
Once you've visted the Tower, you can continue on a lovely circular walk down to Finsthwaite, with its unusual church. Carry on NE down the path to meet the footpath, turn left, follow it down to another track near the edge of the wood, across the fields to the church. Then a pleasant stroll across more fields, back into the woods of Wintering Park, join the bridleway and down to the road by the railway bridge - good for train spotting. A short walk along the quiet road back to the parking. See the yellow dots on the route map.
