The Eden Valley, Cumbria

The River Eden at Kirkby Stephen

The beautiful Eden Valley stretches from the source of the River Eden high on the Westmorland fells above Mallerstang to the Solway Firth. The Eden flows down through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, then along and around the edge of the North Pennines to Carlisle and into the Solway Firth. Along the way it picks up tributaries including the River Eamont which flows out of Ullswater.

Cumbria-based writer Vivienne Crow has produced an excellent book of Eden Valley walks: Walking in Cumbria’s Eden Valley

Below is a selection of posts from the Around-England blog illustrating and describing a variety of aspects of this very special area of Cumbria, the upper reaches of which are sandwiched between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Lady Anne’s Way – Walking the Yorkshire Dales & Eden Valley

July 1, 2011

Recently I’ve made several references to castles in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, which were rebuilt or considerably restored by Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th century. There was a post about Brough Castle and also a quick photo upload of Brougham Castle by the River Eamont near Penrith. I’ve still to add others, especially Pendragon [...]

Dufton Pike and High Cup Nick

June 30, 2011

Since moving to the Eden Valley earlier this year I’ve often looked across from the Orton to Appleby road, or from the back road to Kirkby Stephen via Burrells and Soulby, and wondered about the North Pennine fells beyond the A66. The shapes of the hills themselves, the patterns of light and shade from moving [...]

Brougham Castle, Penrith, Cumbria

June 30, 2011

Recently I uploaded a post about Brough Castle, one of several in the Eden Valley area belonging to Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th century. Yesterday I snatched this quick shot of another of the long-ago residences of this remarkable lady, Brougham Castle, just outside Penrith and beautifully situated beside the River Eamont, the river [...]

Herb Garden at Acorn Bank, Cumbria

June 29, 2011

This lunchtime my wife and I decided to make a detour on our way home from Penrith, and to visit Acorn Bank, the National Trust property in the Eden Valley near Temple Sowerby and Culgaith. After a delicious soup and sandwich we strolled around the gardens and walked through the woods to the beautifully restored [...]

Flowers of Eden on a Damp Afternoon

June 23, 2011

A few days ago I saw an heron fishing in the River Eden. I didn’t have with me a camera with a long lens. So this afternoon I returned to the same spot in the hope that we might just meet again. But I’d forgotten. We’ve had a heavy rain since then and the river [...]

Brough Castle in the Eden Valley, Cumbria

June 22, 2011

Brough Castle is passed by thousands of motorists every day as they plough past on the A66 between Cumbria and County Durham at whatever maximum speed the traffic will allow, hurrying towards or on the way down the Pennine slopes from Stainmore. Those using the Kirkby Stephen road pass even closer to the castle’s nine [...]

Appleby Horse Fair – More Photos

June 8, 2011

Today I’m adding a few more of my Appleby Horse Fair photos from last weekend. It was a very successful event this year. Click here for a report by the Lake District Messenger. Notic above that the young foals are not tied. They simply follow the adults. Sometimes, though, it looks as though one is [...]

Traditional Horse Washing at Appleby Fair

June 7, 2011

In my post earlier today I showed a general view of the River Eden at Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. The past few days have seen the annual gypsy horse fair, with crowds watching the traditional horse washing, racing and other events. Here now are some more detailed photos taken on Friday and Saturday. (Even more Appleby Horse [...]

The Around-England Blog Is Back

June 7, 2011

On moving from Nottinghamshire to the Eden Valley in Cumbria back in March we had great difficulty in getting a broadband connection. I’ll not waste time here moaning about the incompetence of internet service suppliers, or the almost unbelievable official neglect of rural areas with regard to digital access, but will now get on with [...]

By Horse, 2-Wheels Or Two Feet Around The Eden Valley

February 10, 2011

Today’s post owes its existence to part of an article by Anne Marcantonio of the British Horse Society, posted on the Ordnance Survey Blog on 3rd February. Anne provides links to a number of safe off road riding routes on the Society’s new EMAGIN service, which is described as “the world’s first Equine Mapping and [...]

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