A Return from Threlkeld

And so, having followed the railway line from Keswick, we walked into Threlkeld passing a lovely milestone. Looking up at Blencathra in one direction and Clough Head in another – and it was such a lovely day after all these weeks of rain they looked magnificent.

Latrigg from the Lane

It always gets me just how far you can see Blencathra from – sometimes in the Eden Valley or the North Pennines or the Westmorland Dales and there it is. Some archaeologists have suggested that many of the stone circles and other antiquities line up on its very visible summit.

Milestone near to Threlkeld

We looked up at the mountains and did what all hillwalkers do at this point – went straight into the Threlkeld Community Cafe in the village hall for a cup of tea and a bun! And brilliant it was too. Recommend it to you.

Threlkeld Church

Actually, we were not out for summits this day. Having walked the old railway line, we intended to follow the lanes up to the Castlerigg stone circle, not least because we wanted to seek out some idea of where the old A66 went, and – long before that – this was the way the Romans came.

The Hunter’s Stone

But first we visited Thelkeld’s little church. Inside the churchyard is a memorial stone commemorating the huntsmen of the Blencathra Foxhounds. Hopefully a bit of history that has gone for good. The church is a delight, though we were horrified to hear that the vicar wants to strip out the lovely hand-carved pews. What a terrible thing to do! Do think again, ducky!

Blencathra

Then along the old line of the A66, crossing over the lovely old Thelkeld Bridge – the Roman Road would have run south of here. If you want to find a definite place where the early motorists on the 66 and the Romans take a look at Naddle Bridge, a bit further along the lane. Notice how the old A66 does a sudden loop going much closer to the present main road.

Recommended Reading!

This was effectively, a modern bypass for the A66. The Roman road almost certainly went off across country from the south side of the lane loop by Naddle Bridge, passing the Castlerigg stone circle before descending into Keswick, probably even south of the public footpath running up to Goosewell.

Milestone on the lane

We are aiming to look for more of this Roman road – worth seeking out a very useful little book called The Roman Route Across the Northern Lake District by Martin Allan if you want to anticipate our explorations. I found a copy in the Oxfam bookshop in Keswick (highly recommended). It’s superb and a real inspiration.

Castlerigg was very busy on this fine afternoon – so we hurriedly passed on, wanting to go book-hunting in Keswick.

This is a most interesting back way into the town.