Eden Valley

The Eden Valley runs northward through the county of Cumbria from its source high on the fells at Mallerstang and enters the sea 91 miles later at Carlisle.

Understand
The river Eden runs through the Eden Valley. It is the main river in Cumbria and runs virtually the length of the county.Locally the Eden Valley tends to refer to the area between Appleby and Carlisle.



History
Cumbria, or Cumberland as it used to be known, is the northern-most county of England. To the north were the Picts (in Roman times) and later these border lands became home to the border reivers, and became known, in parts, as the "debatable lands.

Even though the river and its valley are far away from the main seats of government they still had their part to play in history.

Landscape
From the high fells around Mallerstang the valley runs through the fells towards Appleby-in-Westmoreland. From here the valley starts to broaden out a little until it passes Penrith to the East. There are some narrower gorges past this point until it approaches Carlisle and the open plains leading to the Solway Firth.

Geologically the valley changes from limestones and millstone grit around the headwaters through into Penrith red sandstone for the middle section. Tributaries from the East.Main one is the river Irthing

Tributaries from the west, rivers Caldew, Petteril and Eamont.The last one draining from the English Lake District National Park into the Eden.

Flora and fauna
Its source up in Mallerstang is amongst fells built on limestone and millstone grit. This is sheep country and they are everywhere. The dry stone walls run up and down the fells and the sheepfolds and pens are plentiful. As the river valley turns from hill lands to more mature grass and woods you start to see more cattle but you also get the large game estates with pheasant predominating. The fox becomes more plentiful with plenty of cover within the woods of natural broad-leaf and conifers.

Economy
The Eden Valley economy is dominated by tourism and agriculture. However, there are individual industries such as the Eden Valley mineral water company (known locally as "well well well'), and British Gypsum near Kirkby Thore.

There are also the landed estates where there is still considerable wealth, a good example being Corby Castle.

Towns and villages
The first major town at the head of the valley is Kirkby Stephen, just 10 km from the source of the river.

After this the valley is mainly farmland and small hamlets until the river reaches Appleby-in-Westmorland. Successive villages and towns include Penrith, Lazonby, Armathwaite and finally Carlisle.

Get around
Although public transport is very limited there is the option of using the Carlisle-to-Settle railway line which runs through the majority of the valley.

Road access is by far the most usual means of getting around. The M6 runs north–south and the valley can be accessed starting at junction 38 for Tebay, and running up to junction 44, Carlisle, just before the border with Scotland.

The A65 runs east from Kendal and can be used to access Mallerstang from the south. However the A66 from junction 40 on the M6 (Penrith) is the more usual way to access the valley.

Nearest airports include Blackpool, Manchester and East Midlands for commercial flights.

By train, the Carlisle-to-Settle line has already beem mentioned. However the west coast line between London and Glasgow has stops at Oxenhome (Lake District), Penrith and Carlisle.

See
Major historical events and attractions include:
 * Long Meg and her seven daughters, a stone circle close to Great Salkeld.

A tradition of dissent and violence, from Sir Hugh de Morville (murder of Thomas Beckett), through to insurrections including the Pilgrimage of Grace which led to 10 local men being hanged.
 * Pendragon Castle at Mallerstang, reputed to have been built by Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur.
 * The annual gypsy horse fair at Appleby.
 * Penrith markets
 * Lacey's caves near Little Salkeld

Do
Walk along the river at Armathwaite, through Coombes woods and view the river at its best.



Go gliding or fly a microlight from around the Cross Fell area

Fish the river Eden for Salmon

Eat
All the market towns have public houses which will serve good local food. Penrith has a reputation for having the most up market restaurants.

Sleep
With tourism being so important to the economy there are usually plenty of options to chose from.

Caravan sites
Typically farm based.

Hotels
At the upper end of the market there are some fine country house hotels such as the Appleby Manor, the Tufton Arms Hotel and Staffield Hall, near the village of Kirkoswold. A little further down the valley there is the Heather Glen hotel at Ainstable and the Crown hotel at Wetherall.

Self-catering
For self-catering there are a good selection of properties available, for instance: Wetherall cottages, near to Great Salkeld and Tottergill farm towards the end of the valley.

Bed and breakfast
For B&B there is a wide range of choice from staying on a farm, such as Brow farm in Dufton to experiencing the luxury of Willowbeck lodge   near Carlisle.

Go next

 * Penrith
 * Alston
 * Castle Carrock
 * Carlisle