click for details of Stage 1 - Ulverston to Coniston click for details of Stage 2 - Coniston to Langdale click for details of Stage 3 - Langdale to Keswick click for details of Stage 4 - Keswick to Caldbeck


Caldbeck

Named after the river (Cald Beck) on which it stands Caldbeck is a traditional fell village situated 'Back O' Skidda' as the locals say. Cald Beck provided the water for the industrial development of the area between 1600 and 1800 such as woollen mills, bobbin mills and a brewery. The village still has reminders of this past industrial activity with many of the old mill buildings still in use. In fact the Howk Bobbin Mill once had the largest waterwheel in the country, at 3 feet wide, and 42 feet diameter.

Caldbeck is now a thriving village and one in which many of its residents take a great deal of pride in living in. Tourism hasn't really affected the village although it is a popular starting point for walks in and around the Northern fells of the Lake District.


Do you have a recomendation of accommodation, cafe, inn etc from along the route of the Cumbria Way?

Why not let me know and I will add it to these pages for others to learn from? E-mail me with your recommendations - dik@thecumbriaway.info

Rose Castle - Rose Castle is the palace of the Bishops of Carlisle and a good view can be seen from Rose Bridge. Unfortunately the castle is not open to the public.

Dalston - Toilets, shops and inns can be found here as well as atrain service to Carlisle if you are taking slightly longer than planned!

Holme Head Salmon Ladder - A fish-ladder has been built at Holme Head to enable salmon, returning after their swim across the Atlantic from Greenland, to return to their breeding-grounds. The best time to see the salmon leaping up the weir is between October and December.

The Finish Point - The acknowledged end to the Cumbria Way is the Market Cross in front of the Old Town hall in the pedestrianised centre of Carlisle although plans are afoot to provide an official marker to end of the the route.

Carlisle - an interesting and historic city with plenty of places to celebrate the completion of your Cumbria Way journey. Places to visit include Carlisle Castle, Tullie House Museum and Gallery, Carlisle Cathedral as well as a host of shops and eating places. the city is very well served with bus and train services to get you home for a well deserved rest!





 

 



You leave Caldbeck via a lane over the river from the church and heads towards Parson's Park wood before a sort stetch over farmland before entering woodland again and following a lane into Sebergham. Cross over the bridge and follow a bridleway just over the bridge towards Sebergham Church where another bridleway directs you past Sebergham Hall and onto Bell Bridge.

Cross the river and head downstream along a riverside path which follows the delightful River Caldew through fields and small patches of woodland all the way to Rose Castle, the official residence of the Bishop of Carlisle. Navigation along the way is easy as the route never leaves the river and with two bridges to determine distance travelled you can afford to daydream of the finish.

Shortly after Rose Bridge the route leaves the riverbank and passes by Lime House School on its way to Bridgeend using a bridleway. A short road section through Dalston and over the White Bridge brings you out just past Caldew School where a right turn down a footpath takes you to meet the River Caldew again.

The river is quite often hidden out of by trees and bushes but you always know its there. You are also followed on this section by a railway line on your left hand side which keeps you company until Cummersdale. The route now follows a well graded path which also doubles as a cycleway for the Hadrians Wall cycle route and is easy to follow to Cummersdale where you cross the river over a footbridge and start the final few miles of you Cumbria Way journey into Denton Holme and Carlisle.

Slowly but surely the route enters the southern suburbs of Carlisle using the Caldew Riverside Trail. Simply keep going forward on the road, crossing over the railway just after the swimming baths and then a left turn into the pedestrianised centre of Carlisle will lead you in 300 yards to the journeys end at the Market Cross - congratulations!

All that is left for you to do now is sign the routelog book located at the TIC in the Old Town hall and record for posterity your experiences along the way.