The Cumbria Way - route details for the Caldbeck to Carlisle section of the walk

The picturesque village of Caldbeck at the end of the 4th day on the Cumbria Way © David Harrison www.cumbriaphotographic.co.uk

The Cumbria Way Day 5 : Caldbeck to Carlisle

Rose Castle

Rose Castle is a Grade 1 listed building and the former home to the Bishops of Carlisle ... more details

Bridges

You will cross over and pass quite a few sandstone bridges today as you follow the River Caldew. This one is Rose Bridge near Rose Castle

Dalston

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

Holme Head Salmon Ladder

A fish-ladder has been built at Holme Head weir to enable salmon, returning after their swim across the Atlantic from Greenland, to return to their breeding-grounds.

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. Plans were afoot to provide an official marker to end of the the route but as far as I know nothing has been put in place.

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!

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.

You leave Caldbeck via a lane over the river from the church and heads towards Parson's Park wood before a short stretch over farmland and enter woodland again following a lane into Sebergham. Cross over the bridge and follow a bridleway just over the bridge on the left 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 former residence of the Bishops of Carlisle. Navigation along this stretch is easy as the route never leaves the river and with two bridges to determine distance traveled 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 Bridge End using a bridleway. A short road section through Dalston and over the White Bridge brings you out in the centre of Dalston with plenty of options for refreshments. Just before Caldew School 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 cycle way for the Hadrian's 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 .Simply keep going forward on the Caldew Cycleway through housing estates and some industrial units and crossing over the River Caldew which will bring you out on Bridge Street. A right turn here takes you under the pedestrian bridge and take another right turn onto Castle Street. Walk up past the Cathedral and upon entering the pedestrianised centre of Carlisle you will find the Market Cross on your left and the end of your Cumbria Way journey.

All that is left for you to do now is sign the route log book located at the TIC in the Old Town Hall and record for posterity your Cumbria Way walk. Congratulations!