The scenery around Caldbeck is both beautiful and varied, from the gentle rolling countryside bordering the village to the rugged fells beyond. The village itself is full of history from the legendary John Peel's burial place in St.Kentigern's churchyard to the ruins of the Bobbin Mill in the spectacular Howk Gorge with its waterfalls to which a foot path leads straight from the village green.
Sheep wander at will through the village (don't forget to shut the gates!) and the area is rich in wildlife including red squirrels and the indigenous Fell ponies which graze on nearby Caldbeck Commons. Bassenthwaite is the seasonal home to ospreys which come back to nest each Spring and can be seen from various viewpoints or on CCTV on Whinlatter.
Gentle walks can be taken around the village or through the bluebell woods at Watersmeet and the more challenging peaks of Skiddaw and Blencathra are only a short distance away.
Further afield are the market towns of Keswick, with its famous Theatre by the Lake offfering a full and varied programme each season, Cockermouth and Carlisle. The Solway Coast and Hadrian's Wall are within easy reach. In the village of Hesket Newmarket, 1.5 miles away, The Old Crown is famed for its home-brewed real ales.
Caldbeck is a very friendly community with many summer activities including weekend cricket matches, the annual Agricultural Show, Sheepdog Trials and monthly film shows - see the Parish Magazine in the sitting room. You can also play tennis in the grounds of the primary school for a small fee paid into an Honesty Box.
For a list of places to visit and things to do in the local area please click here
Activities
Caldbeck
- The Oddfellows Arms - Tel.0166974-78227
- The Howk Gorge and waterfalls
- The Old Bobbin Mill
- John Peel's grave in St. Kentigern's graveyard
- Fell walks
- High Pike & Carrock Fell
- Riverside walks/ Cumbria Way
- Reivers Route (cyclists)
- Use of village tennis court (with honesty box)
- Historic Houses and Gardens
- Dalemain, Penrith Tel: 017684-86223
- Mirehouse, Bassenthwaite Tel: 017687-72287
- Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith Tel:017684-84449
Eating places nearby
The Old Crown Hesket Newmarket
Good food and home-brewed beer. Tel: 016974-78288
The Snooty Fox Uldale
Tel.016973-71479
The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite Lake
Highly recommended
Tel.017687-76234 (12 miles)
Indoor activities
Rheged
Redhills, Penrith. Europe's largest grass covered building. Shops, cafes, indoor/outdoor play areas, children's pottery painting, 3D Cinema, Gallery
Tel: 01768-868000
Keswick Leisure Pool
Tel: 017687-72760
Theatre by the Lake
Keswick. Professional theatre productions and cafe overlooking Derwentwater
Tel: 01787-74411
Pencil Museum
Keswick History, cafe and events for children
Tel: 017687-73626
Alhambra Cinema
Keswick Traditional cinema showing latest films
Tel: 017687-72230
Golf Courses
Keswick, Penrith, Silloth.
Outdoor activities within easy reach
Fell walks - Blencathra & Skiddaw
Dodd Wood Bassenthwaite (opposite Mirehouse).
Central car park with marked trails, picnic areas & tearoom. In spring birdwatchers wait, hoping for the ospreys return. These can usually be seen from a viewpoint in the forest. Red squirrel feeding station.
Tel: 0845-3673787
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Dating from 3000 B.C. in a spectacular setting outside Keswick
The Lake District Wildlife Park
Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite CA12 4RD. Home to hundreds of animals, birds of prey and reptiles.
Tel: 017687-76239
Keswick Launch Co.
Derwentwater cruises and boat hire
Tel: 017687-72263
Whinlatter Forest
Visitor Centre, cafe, forest walks, mountain bike trails & bike hire. "Go Ape" Adventure Course. CCTV viewing for Bassenthwaite Osprey Project
Tel: 017687-78469
Paragliding - Ventures (paragliding school)
Tel: 07830-281986
Climbing Wall
Goosewell Farm, Keswick. Instructors available – all ages.
Tel: 017687-72000
Sailing,/windsurfing/watersports
Patty Plus, Lodore Landings, Derwentwater
Tel: 017687-76572
Horse Riding lessons
Boustead Hill Equestrian Centre, nr. Carlisle.
Tel: 01228-575000
Rookin House Activity Centre
Rookin House Farm, Troutbeck, Penrith. Huge range outdoor & indoor activities - riding, quad biking, shooting, fishing, zip wire etc.
Tel: 017684-83561
Further afield
Ullswater and the South Lakes, The Solway Coast, historic Carlisle, Cockermouth, Hadrian's Wall and Gretna Green