Caldbeck Village and the Surrounding Area

Caldbeck is a traditional fell village situated in the Northern Fells of the English Lake District or the "Back O' Skidda" as the locals call it. Almost equidistant from Cockermouth, Keswick, Penrith and Carlisle, this village gem in North Cumbria is well worth a visit!

The area is one of the more remote and lesser known parts of the Lake District, but boasts some outstanding scenery and some of the best, less frequented walking in the whole of the Lake District. Skiddaw and Blencathra can be reached from the North along quieter footpaths than the usual approaches from the South, and there are many other fine fells to explore such as High Pike and Carrock Fell.

The village is named after the river (Cald Beck) on which it stands. This river and its tributaries provided the water for the important industrial development of the area in the 17th and 18th centuries - woollen mills, bobbin mills, corn mills, a paper mill and a brewery. The village still reflects this former industrial activity with many of the old mill buildings still in use.

Mining in the local fells behind Caldbeck began as early as the 13th Century but the hey day was in the 17th century, with the last mine closing in the 1960's. These fells are rich in a variety of minerals, in particular lead, copper and barytes. It was once a common saying that "Caldbeck and the Caldbeck Fells are worth all England else" because of the extensive range of minerals to be found in the area. The industry is now gone and what remains exist now blend into the countryside.

The "Roughton Stone" in the churchyard of St Kentigern's is in tribute to the men and their families who lived and worked in the mines of Roughton Gill for four hundred years and who now lay in peace in the churchyard. The stone itself was used in the 19th century in its original circular form to process mineral from the mines. Today Fell Farming remains the most important industry in the area.

The timeless character of the village has been preserved as a conservation area where ponies, sheep, even ducks roam freely.

The 12th century St Kentigern's Church is the resting place of the famous local huntsman, John Peel.

Priests Mill is an old watermill built by a Rector of Caldbeck just below the church, the waterwheel of which is in full working order. The award winning restoration of the mill was completed in 1986 and is used to house a splendid Watermill Cafe overlooking the river, together with interesting shops and workshops.

The surrounding fells and woodlands of Caldbeck are easily accessible on foot and there are many signed footpaths. The well known high peaks of Skiddaw (4th highest in England at 3053 feet high) and Blencathra (2847 feet) are only a short distance away.

Just up from the village duck pond (situated in an old clay dubs), there is a popular short walk which follows the river up the Howk, a limestone gorge containing beautiful waterfalls and the picturesque ruins of the old bobbin mill. The Bobbin Mill once had the largest waterwheel in the country, at 3 feet wide, and a 42 feet diameter.

The Cumbria Way also passes through the village as well as two long distance cycle routes nearby, namely the C2C (Coast to Coast) and the Reivers Route.

The Locals take great pride in their lovely village and have a very active resident community. Visitors are always welcome to join in. Local activities include Bowls, Cricket, Tennis, Guided Walks, Hound Trailing and Fox Hunting (within the law).

The welcoming village pub, the Oddfellows Arms is a traditional Lakeland inn serving good food and Jennings real ales.

Take a look at some Virtual Tours of the Village.

The neighbouring village of Hesket Newmarket, 1.5 miles south east of Caldbeck, has a fine wide main street with many 18th century houses and a central Market Cross on the well kept village green. The villages also boast a chapel, a pond, a brewery and a well known traditional pub (The Old Crown), famous for the unique real ales from the Hesket Newmarket Brewery.

There are public transport services available in the area such as the Caldbeck Rambler bus service , the 620 Carlisle - Caldbeck service and the 961 Penrith - Caldbeck service.

Dominated by High Pike and the Northern Fells, Caldbeck is a popular village, but never overcrowded - a peaceful oasis in the Northern Lake District.