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31. A River Eden circular walk (3) from Bolton Village near Appleby, Cumbria Illustrates Walk 15 "Eden's Banks - 1" in Paul Hannon's "Walking Country - Eden Valley where Cumbria meets the Pennines". I've provided enough information below for the route to be followed from the OS 1:25000 OL 19 Outdoor Leisure Map "Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley" For other River Eden walks see page 18 and page 22
The walk starts by All Saints Church (more detail in last section of page), opposite the Eden Vale Inn in Bolton Village, north-west of Appleby, Cumbria.
You go down through the lower end of the village, passed a long line of water troughs, and over Bolton Bridge (a fine two arched red sandstone bridge built in 1870).
The River Eden, looking west off Bolton Bridge. You turn left over the bridge and walk north-west along the north-west bank of the lovely River Eden.
Across the fields there is a constant distant profile of Cross Fell and other Pennine Hills.
Autumn scene from the north bank of the River Eden.
Distant profile of Dufton/Murton? Pike.
Distant view of Cross Fell, in the middle distance is steam-smoke from the Gypsum Works near Kirkby Thore and in the foreground is an old railway bridge, once part of the Eden Valley railway line from Tebay to Kirkby Stephen (closed in 1962). Soon after this you negotiate a huge 'mucky' dairy farm at Bridge End (try to ignore it and enjoy the rest of this lovely river walk!).
You come out onto the footpath of the busy A6 trunk road at the road bridge and The Bridge End Inn. After crossing the road bridge, keep left on the footpath, and soon after the Inn, turn left down across the field to the remains of a railway underpass bridge. Go through it, bearing a bit right, and you eventually come back to the banks of the River Eden.
Fishermen in the River Eden, fishing permit required. Dufton/Murton? Pike is in the background.
You need to know your water levels well to use the ford shown on the left, we'll just wait for the next bridge to show up as we happily walk along the bank!
You continue along the northern banks until you reach Ousenstand Bridge, the turning point of the walk. Unusually, the upper courses of the bridge are built of yellowish brick on top of the sandstone arches and base.
Autumn Scene on the River Eden, looking east from Ousenstand Bridge. You go over the bridge, turn left immediately and head south-east along the south-east banks.
The distant Cumbrian Hills of the Lake District, before heading across the fields to Peatgate/Peatgates Farm ...
... and last view across the Eden Valley to Cross Fell and a profile of the west Pennine Hills.
You pass by Peatgate/Peatgates Farm, turning left along the track called Cross Rigg Lane, and on reaching the road, turn left to follow it down back to Bolton Village where The Eden Vale Inn and All Saints Church in Bolton Village await you.
All Saints Church, Bolton Village, Cumbria
The south entrance porch and bell tower to All Saints Church, parts of which date back to the 12th century. It is a small and beautiful church set in spacious green graveyard.
The simple interior of All Saints Church, Bolton,\Cumbria.
The triple-light east stained glass window above the altar and on the exterior south wall is the 14th century stone effigy of a woman.
Some early Norman sandstone carving in the north wall. Note the two knights jousting above the old 'Romanesque' doorway, so make sure you walk round the 'back' of the church!
* Page updated Oct 6th 2008 * EMAIL Phil Brown * digital images snapshots photographs pictures views scenes views pics photos snaps webshots of walks and interesting places to visit and stay © Phil Brown docspics 2008 * www.docbrown.info/docspics |
