Northern Pennines
Richards Mountain Pages
For the Northern Pennines I've selected an area centred around the vale of Eden. This part of the country is little visited
as the Lake District tends to draw anyone who might otherwise go there. Anyone who has walked the Pennine Way will be familiar
with the escarpment, particularly the impressive High Cup Nick - a U-shaped valley cut out of its side. Further North, the path
climbs up Knock Fell and crosses Great and Little Dun Fells (seen right from Knock Fell), before attaining the highest point
in England outside of the Lake District - Cross Fell.
Across the Eden Valley lies a limestone plateau. This plateau has stunning views to distant hills in all directions,
yet it remains largely undiscovered. See for yourself by walking the Coast To Coast Path. I did so,
and was most surprised to find such an open landscape, with huge green fields.
I met only three other people that day.
The picture on the right is of a peculiar hidden gorge
that runs beside pretty little village of Dufton. The water sometimes flows higher than the path. A truly magical place -
particularly with a coat of snow. The village itself is very peaceful - a few sheep wandering across the village green is about
as busy as it gets.
Geology
The sandstone of the Pennines ends abruptly in the Western escarpment at the Western edge of this region. The valley of Eden forms
an area of lower ground which then rises to into a limestone plateau littered with granite erratics to the West. The one shown
here is a full seven foot high, and could only have got there by falling off the back of a retreating glacier many millions of years
ago.
To the South of this plateau the Howgills loom.
Settlements
There are several small market towns in this part of the country. All those I have visited so far, I have found worth while:
- Appleby In Westmorland - very pretty with a main tree lined street rising from the church to the castle; and a 'beach'
by the river Eden where the annual horse fair takes place. Unfortunately spoilt somewhat from traffic.
- Dufton - a very nice village at the foot of the Pennine escarpment. The youth hostel is right in the centre. The gorge nearby
is also worth a walk.
- Kirkby Stephen - not so pretty as Appleby, but it has some nice corners. The youth hostel (converted from a church) is worth
a nights stay.
Transport
there are few bus routes in this part of the country, but luckily the picturesque Settle - Carlisle railway runs right through
this area, stopping at Appleby, Kirkby and many other places.
Maps
You can buy the maps that cover this region, in association with Ordnance Survey, by using the links below:
back to map