Charlestown Foundry (1.3 miles)
From the excellent village shop (The Sutlery) in the centre of Charlestown, head along West Road past the cricket field and follow the road round the sharp bend to the right. The pavement disappears as you leave the village but it's a quiet spot and the road has straight sections making it easy to see any oncoming traffic. After crossing a narrow railway bridge, take the grassy path on your immediate left. This leads into a shaded valley and the path descends steeply to the Lyne Burn. Continue downstream and note the remains of limestone mining operations cut into the sides of the gorge.
We then pass the derelict Charlestown Foundry, dating from 1795 and in service until the 1930s. Various brick buildings still stand and the path goes directly by a curious cylindrical tower, possibly a lookout station or simply a folly. Emerge on to a tarmac road at a white house and follow this route downhill past a grand residence. The burn is crossed and the road ends at Ironmill Bay, accessed by walking under a bridge that carries the railway into the Ministry of Defence base (Crombie) on your right. It is permitted to walk on the stony sands and security fencing marks the obvious boundary of the government property. Our circuit continues by heading back under the railway and then crossing the burn on a slender metal bridge. The path leads to a set of stairs on your left. Climb up and cross over the remains of Braeside Halt on the high footbridge. This station closed way back in the 1920s and was used by MOD workers. The path gains more height - offering fine views across the Bay - and joins a tarred access road to return you to the outskirts of the village. Refuel at the Sutlery or sample the food and real ale at the Ship Inn in the neighbouring village of Limekilns.
