The Cumbria Way

Today's walkers of the Cumbria Way have no fear of the fells unlike writers of several centuries ago who described the land as one of “inhospitable terror, barren, frightening and dreadful”. Even the sea came in for criticism as “desolate and wild, a sea without ships”. Since that time, the fells and surrounding countryside of Cumbria and the Lake District have become one of the most walked , climbed, and best loved tracts of land in Europe. The 70 miles of the Cumbria Way provides a generous slice of this beautiful holiday destination. It stretches between the old market town of Ulverston in the south and the historic regional capital of Carlisle standing close to Hadrians Wall in the north. Not only does the Walk lay along a line of distinctive scenic landmarks, but it is also a journey to encounter the character and traditions of Cumbria and its folk.
No matter if you choose to make the walk in daffodil time, the summer months or the red and gold colours of Autumn, there will be a village festival or event somewhere along the way. There's opportunity to linger and rest in many well known beauty spots and nearly always in the background stand the Langdale Pikes of which the late Alfred Wainwright said, “No other profile in Lakeland arrests and excites the attention more”. Beyond, are the Jaws of Borrowdale surrounded by Sergeants Crag, High Raise, and Eagle Crag, another of Wainwright’s favourites, and said by him to be such a beautiful fell, much admired, but seldom climbed. Langdale to Keswick is a physically demanding section of the Cumbria Way but the miles between Keswick and Caldbeck are the most remote. From Keswick, the route passes through Gleneraterra Beck Valley between the fells of Blencathra and Skiddaw. For those walking from south to north (as many do) they have a choice at the head of the valley between following the Eastern Route (high route) or the Western Route (low route). The low route is the least interesting but requires much less effort and is advisable in poor weather conditions. The high route progresses onwards to Caldbeck up and over Lingy Hill and High Peak, the highest point on the whole journey, which can be blanketed in dense mist and create difficulties in following the trail. The remaining section from Caldbeck to Carlisle is mostly flat and for a good deal of the way  accompanies the River Caldew via the villages of Buckabank and Dalston before entering the built up areas of Carlisle and the generally agreed finishing / starting point of Carlisle Castle.

Advice for walkers
Check weather forecast for local conditions.
Wear colourful clothing and suitable footwear with treaded soles and firm ankle support.
Map and compass.
Is your mobile phone battery fully charged? Be aware of poor signal coverage in some locations.
Leave a plan of your start and finish points and contact details.
Take some sandwiches or a flask of soup and a drink.
Have a good meal before setting out.
Should you wish to contact a Mountain Rescue team in an emergency, call 999 and ask for police. The police will then alert the appropriate team for the area. Hearing and speech impaired people can send an emergency text message to 07786-208999 (Cumbria area) but enquire at the local police station before leaving.

Cumbria Way Route Information
Ulverston – Coniston. 15 miles.
Coniston – Langdale. 11 miles.
Langdale – Keswick. 16 miles.
Keswick – Caldbeck. 14 miles.
Caldbeck – Carlisle. 14 miles.

Maps:
OL 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Events and festivals along the route.

Travel Services
Pegasus Taxis & Travel for transport of your luggage to destinations along the route. This Bowness on Windermere based service also provides local and long distance journeys; airport transfers; wedding hire; courier work; hen & stag party hire; school runs and safe and secure luggage storage at their Bowness office premises. www.pegasustaxisandtravel.com  Telephone 015394-48899  Fax 015394-44453

Ulverston
Ulverston is a busy thriving market town with all the social and business amenities expected to be found in a larger community. There's a good range of shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs, plus banks, Post Office, Tourist Information Centre and excellent passenger train and bus services.
An impressive sculpture, fashioned to represent a compass and a cairn, has been erected in the town centre to mark the beginning of the Cumbria Way Walk. Pre-walk accommodation within Ulverston and the surrounding areas are well equipped to meet the needs of those preparing to embark on the 70 mile trek north to Carlisle and many will provide a pack of sandwiches and a drink to sustain you on the way to the next stop.
More information can be found on our Ulverston Information page, and a list of annual happenings in this “Festival Town” is shown on our Events Page.

Coniston
Coniston is reached over well used tracks and paths via the small hamlets of Broughton Beck, Gawthwaite, Blawith and Torver with a lakeside walk to complete the last few miles of the journey. There's not much scope for refreshments en-route except in Torver where walkers can rest and enjoy a well earned meal and drink in either of two old worlde pubs. Coniston, waymarked by the imposing presences of Coniston Old Man and the beautiful Coniston Water is a favourite gathering place for walkers and climbers from far and wide.
A wide variety of accommodation in Coniston is available within a mile or so of the town centre with a good selection of camping sites, bed and breakfasts, hotels and self catering from which to choose.

Nearby Attractions:
The Grizedale Forest -  www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedale
Hill Top, Near Sawrey - The home of Beatrix Potter.
Tarn Howes.  - A 2 mile walk to probably the most photographed feature in the Lake District.
Hawkshead - Said to be the prettiest village in the Lake District.
Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead.
Beacon Tarn - A much admired small stretch of water from where there are lovely views.

Bus, Train and ferry services:
For details go to www.carlberry.co.uk
The Mountain Goat Bus Company
Cross Lakes Shuttle
Stagecoach Cumbria

Tourist Information Centre: Tel: 015394 41533

Coniston to Langdale
Ahead, and in view, stand the high fells of Pike O' Blisco, Pike O' Stickle and Harrison Stickle forming the classic contour of the Langdale Pikes. This 11 mile section of the Cumbria Way Walk fully conveys the magic and the inspirational qualities of the Lake District as the trail proceeds via a series of traditional Cumbrian hamlets and small villages on the approach to the Langdale Valley.
“The valley rings with mirth and joy” wrote William Wordsworth in the opening line of “The Idle Shepherd Boy”.

Skelwith Bridge
Skelwith Bridge occupies a peaceful riverside position alongside the River Brathay and close to the tumbling waters of Skelwith Force with room to sit and relax on the wooded river banks. Food and drink are available in the nearby 3 Star Hotel or in a newly established tearoom with adjoining gift shop.

Places to see:
Coppermine Valley. Coniston.
Tarn Hows. Near Coniston.
Skelwith Force.
Elterwater Lake - Tranquil setting with great views of the Langdale Pikes.
Blea Tarn - A much photographed stretch of water looking toward the Langdale Pikes.
Stickle Tarn - Feeds the Dungeon Ghyll Waterfall.
Lingmoor Tarn - A small secluded tarn.
Wrynose Pass - Steep winding spectacular ancient Roman road.

Elterwater
Elterwater is a firm favourite as a visitor destination and gathering place for walking and trekking enthusiasts.
It's a typically picturesque Langdale Valley village of neat stone cottages, a well stocked shop and a welcoming pub.

Chapel Stile
Chapel Stile has often been described as one of the most beautiful settings to be found in the Lake District. Tearooms, a shop and a cosy pub provide well for the visitor.

Dungeon Ghyll
Dungeon Ghyll is a small community resting in the much loved area of the Langdale Valley's high and low level walks, treks and hikes, and close to the Lake District's most impressive waterfall cascading down from Stickle Tarn.
Camp sites, bunk barns, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, self catering and hotels are available in this sector of the Cumbria Way. However, this part of the region is one of the Lake District’s most visited holiday destinations, especially in the summer and autumn months. Those walking the Cumbria Way and wishing to stay close to the route are advised to make an early accommodation booking and check if single overnight accommodation stays are available.

Bus Services:
Service 516 operates between Ambleside and Dungeon Ghyll via Elterwater and Chapel Stile.

Rail Services:
Nearest station, Windermere.

Langdale to Keswick
It's not too far after leaving Langdale and crossing the Stake Pass, that the walker enters the Borrowdale Valley. The Parish of Borrowdale includes the villages of Seatoller, Stonethwaite, Rosthwaite, Grange, and the hamlets of Watendlath and Seathwaite. A newspaper article of 1880 reported a rainstorm during which, “the road approaching Rosthwaite was inundated at the lower parts fully to the depth of a yard and a quarter, and foot passengers had to take advantage of the accommodation afforded by the wall which is covered by flat stones for that purpose”. Borrowdale holds the record for the heaviest rainfall in England, but visitors can rest assured (and in comfort) they no longer need to rely on the accommodation offered by a stone wall.
The Borrowdale Valley provides a large choice of holiday accommodation comprising of camp-sites, camping and bunk barns, bed and breakfasts and hotels clustered in and around the villages and hamlets.
Rosthwaite, the largest of the communities, and Stonethwaite, are well used stopping points on the Cumbria Way to pause for refreshments and take a breather. A small detour away from the recognised route is required to include the village of Grange, but it is well worth the effort. There's a shop, pub, tearoom and café in a lovely riverside location and the opportunity to picnic by the waters and dip and cool weary feet.
Keswick, standing next to the beauty of Derwentwater, is a town largely given over to the tourist industry and quite rightly so. It has a plentiful number of retail shops, food stores, Banks, Post Office, Tourist Information Centre and regular bus services connecting to all parts of the country.
The nearest Railway Station is Penrith on the West Coast main line between London and Scotland.

Places of Interest:
Castlerigg Stone Circle - Prehistoric monument of 38 stones believed to have been used for religious purposes.
The Bowder Stone - A massive 2000 ton boulder which was possibly swept down from Scotland during the Ice Age.
Watendlath - Hamlet and small tarn reached via the much photographed Ashness Bridge.
Level walks around the shores of Derwentwater.
The Theatre by the Lake: www.theatrebythelake.co.uk
Keswick Mining Museum: www.keswickminingmuseum.co.uk
Pencil Museum: www.pencilmuseum.co.uk

Bus Services:
The Borrowdale Rambler. Service 78. Keswick to Seatoller via Derwentwater Lakeshore, Lodore, Grange in Borrowdale and Rosthwaite.
The Honister Rambler. Service 77 / 77A. Takes in Portinscale, Catbells, Grange in Borrowdale, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter Forest.
The Caldbeck Rambler. Service 73 / 73A. A circular route from Keswick to Caldbeck. The 73 goes via Applethwaite, Mirehouse, Dodd Wood, Bassenthwaite Village, Uldale and Ireby to Caldbeck. The 73A returns to Keswick via Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale, Threlkeld and Castlerigg Stone Circle.
The Osprey Bus. Service 74 / 74A.  Keswick to Mirehouse / Dodd Wood. This is a journey to explore Bassenthwaite Lake with a stop at Whinlatter Centre where the Ospreys can be seen, Thorthwaite Galleries, Dubwath Wetland Nature Reserve, Trotters World of Animals, Mirehouse and Dodd Wood.

Stonethwaite Post Office:
Opening times. 9.30am – 12.30pm. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
9.30am – 5pm. Tuesday.
9.30am – 1pm. Monday.
Cash Withdrawal Facility. Tel: 017687 77304.

Keswick to Caldbeck
From Keswick the walker has the choice of following either the high or low level route to Caldbeck. The low level passes through the hamlets of Orthwaite and Longlands standing at the foot of Skiddaw whose not too strenuous ascent rewards the climber with yet another wonderful Lakeland panorama. Orthwaite and Longlands consist of only a few scattered buildings but a slight deviation from the recognised route takes you to the village of Bassenthwaite. Here, you can take a meal or snack in the congenial atmosphere of a centuries old coaching inn. There's a good range of holiday homes, bed and breakfast accommodations and some which offer barn style over-nighters.
You may wish to break the journey and visit the 17th C Manor House and beautifully landscaped grounds of Mirehouse with paths leading to the 13th C Church of Saint Bega on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
Those taking the high route over the 658 metres of High Pike will find the intermediate milestones of a welcoming Youth Hostel and an old shooting hut which provides a rudimentary shelter atop Great Lingy Hill. You are now well into the Northern Fells and almost within sight of Caldbeck. Here again, a little way off the trail, but only one and a half miles from Caldbeck, stands the small town of Hesket Newmarket. It's an immensely popular destination for walkers and climbers who come to roam the wide open spaces of the surrounding fells. It's also a waymark on the Reivers Cycle Route. All types of holiday accommodation is available in and around the town plus a village shop / post office, tea rooms and a pub serving the well appreciated locally brewed real ale. www.hesketbrewery.co.uk

Caldbeck
A beautiful well kept Cumbrian village often visited but never over-crowded and where the visitor can unwind in the remoteness and rugged beauty of the district. Several well known walking and cycling routes meet here including the Reivers Cycle Route and the Coast 2 Coast. There is a good range of Caldbeck holiday accommodation and the surrounding communities of Hesket Newmarket, Uldale, Millhouse, Boltongate, Ireby, Wigton, Sebergham, Hutton Roof and Brackenthwaite. For more information visit our Caldbeck information page.

The Post Office is situated in the village store.
Open Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm. (closed for lunch 12.30-1.30) Saturday. 9am – 12.15pm.
Village Store - Open Monday – Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 9am -  midday for the sale of groceries, wines, spirits, beers, sandwiches, newspapers and much more.

Bus Services - Operate between Caldbeck, Carlisle and Penrith and calling at some of the surrounding villages. For details go to www.carlberry.co.uk  or www.stagecoach.com

Train Services - Nearest station is the unmanned Dalston on the Cumbria Coast Line.

Caldbeck Community website: www.caldbeckvillage.co.uk

Caldbeck to Carlisle
The route is almost completed and the walker leaves the Northern Fells and enters the gentle rural landscapes on the edge of the Solway Plain. The first community of any size is the village of Welton which is included in the Parish of Sebergham together with the hamlets of Nether Welton, Churchtown and Warnell. Dalston follows next. It is a large village 4 miles from Carlisle with shops, Post Office, a request stop railway station and frequent bus services to and from Carlisle. This sector is an area well known for its walkers, cyclists, hikers and horse riding trails, many of which lead to the World Heritage Site around Hadrians Wall. There are all categories of hotels, bed and breakfasts, self catering, caravan and camping sites and hostel accommodation on offer with schemes of “walkers welcome”, “cyclists welcome”, “families”, “pets”.

Carlisle of course is a city providing all business and social amenities and many places of historical interest. On arrival you may wish to call at the Tourist Information Centre and register your completion of the Cumbria Way in the Route Log book.

Dalston Community website: www.dalston.org.uk
Trails and Walks: www.reivers-guide.co.uk or www.bordereiverstrail.co.uk

The Cumbria Way Accommodation

High Park, Little Langdale

Walking south on the Cumbria Way from Great Langdale or north from Ulverston or Coniston, your journey will take you right past our back door as High Park Farmhouse in the Little Langdale Valley is directly on your route!
If you do not decide to stay the night at High Park, our lovely Tea Garden might tempt you to make a short stop with us where we can offer you a cup of tea and maybe a home-made cake.  There you can rest those weary legs and enjoy the spectacular views all around you.   We know that our section of your walk in this lovely valley will turn out to be one of your truly memorable experiences.
Visitors who wish to stay for a few nights can do so in the knowledge that once they park their car with us, they can enjoy an amazing variety of walks providing any level of challenge that they require.  We offer those who stay with us for bed and breakfast a king size bed with Satellite TV. We can also offer a twin bedded room.  You will have sole use of a separate bathroom where you will find both bath and shower facilities, along with lots of piping hot water - and there is free WiFi!
Our website address is www.cumbriawaybb.co.uk  where you will find more photos of our house and garden.
Our charges for B&B for 2013 are £30.00 per person, per night.  Your breakfast will naturally be cooked to order, and we will do all that we can to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible.

Dalston Hall Park and Golf Club

Dalston Hall Caravan Park is situated central for the Lake District, Solway Coast, Border Counties, Hadrians Wall and yet only 10 minutes from Carlisle.
A family run caravan park is set in the beautiful grounds of Dalston Hall Estate. The park is AA listed, BH & HPA registered.
The old stables have been converted into a club house which serves breakfast and a variety of bar meals.
We feel confident that you will find a relaxing, and away from it all holiday in the peace of the Cumbrian countryside.
On-site facilities include:
- Hard standings with electricity and water for each pitch
- Electric Hook-ups
- Shop and launderette
- A toilet block with free hot showers and hair dryers
- Club house and bar
- 9 hole golf course
- Fishing on a 2 mile stretch of the River Caldew
- Convenient for the Lands End to John O’ Groats walk, Hadrians Wall Walk, The Reivers Trail and Walk
- Well behaved pets welcome

Howe Foot Self Catering Cottage

This is a unique opportunity to stay in a perfect little cottage for two which is completely separate from the main house. The two properties stand in an acre of ground with a beck and small bridge at the entrance in idyllic countryside surrounded by peace and tranquility. The holiday cottage was once a former workshop for Oak Swill Basket Making, which has been a traditional Lake District craft for hundreds of years. It has now been fully restored and has made a delightful holiday home with oak beams, slate floors with rugs and a Woodburning stove. Howe Foot cottage really is a charming hidden gem and just perfect for a special break.
The kitchen just lends itself to looking after my guests, with an oil fired Rayburn constantly on and at cooking temperature. It keeps the whole cottage lovely and warm and there is a back up of central heating for chilly days! The dining table just for two is in the kitchen which on one side overlooks the fields stretching up the valley and on the other side, the garden. A washing machine, fridge, CD Radio all tucked away out of sight can be found along with everything you need for your self-catering holiday. We have made the room attractive and have included interesting beams and a curved wall.
The sitting room houses a comfy sofa which can also be used as a bed settee and there is a fabulous woodburning stove for those chilly nights when you just want to tuck yourself up and relax after a busy day out and about. There are books, magazines and maps galore to plan your days out, and a select few DVD's if all you want to do is sit and relax with a glass of wine. A cosy double bedroom awaits and a compact but beautifully formed shower room with Victorian style shower, basin and toilet is next to the bedroom. Different views can be seen from every window and each room has features galore with interesting nooks and crannies and window seats!
All in all, we feel that this sweet Lakeland cottage in the garden is truly a wonderful and very Special Place to Stay here in the Lake District National Park.
We were featured in the Sunday Mirror's Homes and Holidays supplement on 20th August 2012 as No2 of their Top 10 Cosy Holiday Cottages for Two.

Orchard Cottage, Coniston

Orchard Cottage offers guest accommodation in 3 en-suite rooms (2 double bedded & 1 flexible double or twin bedded), all rooms are on the ground floor and offer tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryers. Breakfast is served in the light spacious dining room and the choices range from cereals and fruit to full English breakfast, followed by toast with homemade jam or marmalade and honey produced by our own bees. After a hard day walking relax in the comfortable guest lounge. As the weather is known to be slightly damp in the Lake District we offer clothes drying facilities and also have a secure area for cycle storage.
For people walking the Cumbria Way we offer a transport service if you book 2 nights with us. ie:
Walk from Ulverston - Coniston Arrive at Orchard Cottage for 1st night Next day walk to Dungeon Ghyll where you are picked up and brought back to Orchard Cottage for a 2nd night The following morning you are returned to Dungeon Ghyll to resume your walk.
We can offer similar packages from Lowick and Ambleside please enquire when booking. Also available are packed lunches.
Orchard Cottage is non smoking and sadly at this point in time we do not accept pets.

Johnby Hal B&B (Nr. Greystoke)

Henry and Anna Howard and their young family are delighted to welcome you to Johnby Hall, a beautifully located family home just on the edge of the Lake District National Park. Originally a 14th century pele tower, fortified against Scots raiders, the main building is an Elizabethan manor house, which has belonged to the Howard family since 1783. There are two delightful and supremely comfortable B&B suites, and guests eat breakfast in the stunning surroundings of the 16 th -century Great Hall.
Guests are welcome to explore several acres of informal gardens and woodland walks which surround the hall. There is a fantastic display of snowdrops (Feb-Mar) and native wild daffodils (Mar-Apr); a small flock of geese and bantams graze in the paddocks. The house lies at the heart of a traditional sheepfarming and dairy estate, and the garden is a haven of tranquillity amidst farmland and woods, with an abundance of wildlife to be seen, often including red squirrels, deer, hares, bats, buzzards, ravens, curlews, swallows, martens, woodpeckers and numerous garden birds.

Daffodil Banks B&B (Hesket Newmarket )

Daffodil is a one bedroomed luxury 5 star bed and breakfast B&B appartment; and lies outside the small, picturesque village of Hesket Newmarket in the Mungrisdale valley of the Northern Fells.
It offers a luxurious bedroom, with super king size bed and DVD/TV with iPOD docking, bathroom with large walk-in shower and breakfast room. The private breakfast room allows guests complete privacy. We offer a flexible breakfast and supper service to suit our guests requirements.
The garden offers peace and tranquility to find your own favourite place to enjoy a nice glass of wine.
The apartment is part of Banks Farm, a former 17th century Lake District hill farm. A small holding of five acres we have free range hens, geese, oxford sandy and black pigs, hebridean sheep from which a lot of our food is supplied including bacon and sausage for breakfast. We also grow a selection of food and vegetables and are experimenting all the time!
The views from here are fantastic, with hill walking and cycling to be enjoyed from the door of the Lake District National Park.

Denton House B&B (Hesket Newmarket)

Denton House is a very friendly 4 star rated bed and breakfast guest house sat in the centre of Hesket Newmarket, overlooking the village green. Dating back to the 17th century, this spendid house has 8 guest rooms which can be let as double, single, twin or family rooms on a bed & breakfast (B&B) basis.
All of our guest rooms are spacious and most have views of the village and up to the Caldbeck Fells or over surrounding countryside. Relax in our cosy guest lounge with comfy sofas, TV and roaring wood burning stove.
Full English Breakfast is served between 8 & 9 in our large breakfast room, again with roaring open fire.
Hesket Newmarket is located in one of the quieter parts of the Lake District, yet we are only a short drive to Keswick, Penrith and Bassenthwaite Lake. We are a perfect stop-over point when traveling to Scotland from the South of England. We are also located close to the Rievers Cycle Route, Coast to Coast C2C and the Cumbrian Way runs close by too. The Caldbeck Fells are on your doorstep with High Pike and Carrock Fell overlooking the village.
We are only 20 yards down from the famous CAMRA award winning Old Crown pub - famous for its excellent food and superb real ales from the nearby Hesket Newmarket Brewery. A traditional Lake District pub with a very warm welcome waiting for you.
We have ample car parking and a lock-up garage for cycles.
Children & dogs are welcome (small extra charge for dogs)
No Smoking.

The Briars B&B

Swaledale Watch Farm

Swaledale Watch is a busy sheep farm beautifully located just outside Caldbeck Village. With views over towards High Pike and the Northern Fells of the Lake District, this really is a peaceful place to spend some time.
We offer a range of lovely bed & breakfast guest rooms in a tranquil location with delicious home cooked breakfasts in the morning.
Enjoy great comfort, excellent food, a warm welcome and peaceful unspoilt surroundings. Central for touring, walking or discovering the rolling Northern fells.
We have 2 Double and 2 Twin rooms available. The main Double Room has a 4 poster bed and Jacuzzi bath. All rooms have private facilities, are tastefully decorated, have colour TV, radio, tea-tray, clean fluffy towels daily and books for every interest in the lounges.
Our breakfasts are superb, using only the finest local produce. Dinners are also on available on Saturday evenings.
Walk into Caldbeck via the Howk, a wooded limestone gorge with waterfalls and the remains of an old Bobbin Mill, guaranteed to be memorable.
Guests are free to wander around the 300-acre farm and, naturally, lambing time is a great favourite with visitors. Do bring your warm woollies and wellies! We also have a number of miniature ponies on the farm - always a big hit with the children.
We are a NO SMOKING establishment.

Gill Beck Self Catering Cottage

The Gardener's Cottage (Hesket Newmarket)

The Snooty Fox (Uldale)

Address: The Snooty Fox Country Inn, Uldale, Cumbria CA7 1HA
Phone: +44 (0)16973 71479
Website: www.snootyfoxuldale.co.uk
Email: info@snootyfoxuldale.co.uk