Since making Cumbrias Eden Valley a weekend getaway base back in 2019 ( hurrah for redundancy! ) ,we have visited quite a few of the attractions that this lovely area has to offer, always accompanied by a certain black labrador, of course. 😊
It is the River Eden that flows through and shapes the valleys countryside, offset by rugged limestone pavement and rosy sandstone villages. The North Pennine fells, Ullswater and the river itself provide ample opportunity for great walks with the dog. Eden is a wonderful area to explore with a canine companion.
Castles.
Many of the Lake Districts Castles are to be found in the Eden Valley. It was the forward thinking and formidable Lady Anne Clifford that set about restoring several of these relics of the past back in the seventeenth century. These days most are ruins once again, be it scenic ones. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Brough Castle. Standing on the site of a Roman Fort, Brough Castle in Church Brough dates back to the 1200s. With it’s strategic position ,the Castle was often involved in attacks from Scottish marauders. Later in the 1600s the building was accidentally ravished by fire after a big party! Then it was given a new lease of life when landowner Lady Anne Clifford completed restorations. Today the ruins are free to walk around and a dog friendly tearoom/ice cream parlour adjoins the grounds.
Brougham Castle. Like Brough Castle, Brougham Castle is located on the site of a Roman Fort and is looked after by English Heritage. The medieval ruins stand proud on the banks of the River Eamont and once helped protect England from Scottish invaders. Owned by the landowning Clifford family, the castle was inherited by Lady Anne Clifford after a lengthy battle to become heir. In the 1600s it was virtually unheard of for females to inherit land and estates, never mind restore and improve them as Lady Anne did. Brougham Castle was where the great lady died in 1676 aged 86. A gift shop and display of Roman artifacts can be found here. Entry £5.90 adults, £3.90 children, under fives free.
Lowther Castle & Gardens. There have been castles at Lowther since medieval times, home to several Earls of Lonsdale. The striking gothic ruins that stand today were actually once an imposing residence and only date back as far as the 19th Century. But ‘ The Yellow Earl’ , the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, had a Spend, Spend, Spend! policy and Lowther Castle was abandoned in 195 7 , stripped to a shell to pay off years of mounting debt. Happily today Lowther is an ongoing restoration project & thriving tourist attraction with extensive grounds, gardens and exhibition gallery. Dogs are welcome everywhere ( except the adventure playground) ,including the Shop and Tea Room. Entry £14 adults, £10 children 3 to 15 yrs.
Pendragon Castle. Pendragon to the South of Kirkby Stephen is one Castle that we haven’t visited yet. The romantic medieval ruins are said to have been the home of Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur. With it’s scenic backdrop of Edens fells and peaceful location on the banks of the River Eden, Pendragon Castle is situated on private land, but accessable to the public. And indeed it was once a residence of Lady Anne Clifford. No entry fee.
Penrith Castle. The red ruins of Penrith Castle are the first building you may see on arriving here by train. Located opposite the railway station, Penrith Castle looks out over the market town of Penrith and is free to look around. In it’s day the castle offered protection from Scottish invaders and was home to Richard III before he became King. An adjoining park gives ample opportunity for exercising the dog and it’s a short walk into town.
Stately Homes & Gardens.
The Eden Valley is home to several country houses with gardens and/ or grounds that are pawfect to look around with a four-legged friend.
Acorn Bank. The National Trust looks after the gardens, wider estate and water mill at this lovely sandstone property dating back to the 17th century. We often bring our Labrador here for a walk around the woodland ,which is especially beautiful in the Spring. However it is the pretty walled gardens that are Acorn Banks crowning glory, unfortunately though dogs aren’t permitted. Happily the courtyard cafe is dog friendly and on working water mill days dogs can accompany their owners to witness the mill in operation. Entry £4.50 adults, £2.50 children. Free to members.
Brougham Hall Dating back to the 14th Century, Brougham Hall near Penrith is an ongoing restoration project after being saved from dereliction in the 1980s. Now home to a community of craftspeople, Brougham hosts a number of artisanal shops including Graces Forge, Interlude Ceramics, Liz Jones Art and the Black Cat Gin Distillery. There’s a cosy dog friendly cafe too on site. Free entry.
Dalemain Mansion. Although this beautiful 17th century Country House doesn’t allow dogs in the gardens or on house tours, don’t discount it as somewhere to visit with your four legged friend. I particularly like to walk there through parkland from the nearby village of Dacre and enjoy a slice of ginger & marmalade cake in the dog friendly courtyard cafe. There’s usually the chance of observing the resident herd of Fallow Deer and you may even spot a Red Squirrel. Dalemain is famous for it’s annual Marmalade Awards!
Hutton-In-The-Forest. Of the manor houses mentioned, Hutton-In-The-Forest is probably the most dog friendly. The attractive residence near Skelton ,with its medieval pele towers and baroque central facade is surrounded by beautiful walled gardens. The gardens , estate and tea room all welcome dogs and the house runs a selection of events outdoors including Potfest in the park, Vintage car ralleys and Dog shows. Gardens entry adults £8, children free.
Stone Circles.
The Eden Valley is home to a number of ancient Stone Circles & Standing Stones. I found information on a few of them here. The most impressive is Long Meg & Her Daughters near Little Salkeld. It is said that the real Long Meg and her daughters were turned into stone for wildly dancing on the Sabbath. The mystical stones date back to the early Bronze Age and are one of the largest Stone Circles in England. There is a small car park nearby.
Nature Reserves.
Meadows, ancient woodlands and grasslands in the Eden Valley are home to wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, birds and other wildlife. Here are a few Nature Reserves you can visit with your dog.
Although there are an abundance of bog and heath at Cliburn Moss near Penrith, much of the site is covered in Conifer Woodland, making for a pleasant circular woodland walk. Look out for Lesser butterfly orchid, Bog Bilberry, Woodpeckers and Red squirrels. Small parking area near entrance.
I love this beautiful upland meadow reserve, home to a herd of grazing Belted Galloway Cattle. Take in the hay meadow as you enter the reserve, thick with wildflowers in early Summer. Then head out on the short trail over wetland to the summit of Eycott Hill, for great views of the Lakeland fells. Eycott is near the village of Berrier and has a small car park. Keep dogs on leads near livestock.
We have yet to visit Smardale Gill near Kirkby Stephen, but it is definitely on my places to visit list. This reserve is on the site of a disused railway and features species rich grassland, limestone quarry and woodland. There are way marked paths & trails and two car parking areas. Smardale is home to the rare Scotch Argus Butterfly, various wildflowers including orchids and Red Squirrels. The striking structure of Smardale Gill Viaduct can be seen too.
Waterfalls.
Cumbria and The Lake District feature several beautiful cascading waterfalls including some in the Eden area.
Aira Force. This picturesque waterfall is probably the most famous of all Lakelands waterfalls and lies within the National Park and the Eden Valley. Looked after by the National Trust, Aira Force can be viewed on a 1 mile loop trail that takes in scenic woodland, Aira Beck and Gowbarrow Park. Water bowls are dotted around the park and in the dog friendly Tea Room. Car parking £5 or free to members.
Rutter Force. How lovely is the vista of Rutter Force , it’s falls dreamily cascade into Hoff Beck. Adjacent to an attractive sandstone watermill not far from Appleby, Rutter Force is such a scenic spot and especially so viewed from the footbridge over the beck. Tiny parking area nearby or why not happen upon the falls on the riverside walk mentioned in the link.
Lake Steamers.
A great dog friendly way to explore Ullswater is via the Lake Steamer service that links pretty lakeside villages , hop on and off hikes and magnificent Lake District scenery. Ullswater Steamers have been running on Ullswater for more than 160 years and at present there are 5 beautiful heritage boats in service. All steamers have open & sheltered outside seating areas, indoor saloons,licenced bar & toilet facilities. Dogs are also welcome in the pier houses at Glenridding & Pooley Bridge. Ticket prices vary depending on the length of your trip. Dogs travel for a pound.
Sculpture Trails.
We are slowly ticking off visiting the Eden Benchmarks Sculptures along the River Eden. Unlike the Bowland Climber who fairly whipped through them, took some wonderful photos and blogged about the Eden Benchmarks here. There are ten to find altogether starting from the Edens source at Mallerstang and ending at Rockcliffe, where the river flows into the Solway.
Other sculptures to find in The Eden Valley include Andy Goldsworthys Sheepfolds and The Poetry Path at Kirkby Stephen.
On The Railway.
There are actually three heritage railways in The Eden Valley and they all let dogs travel for free on their locomotives. Our Labrador Hugo has so far only ridden on the South Tynedale Railway , a 2ft narrow gauge line, which runs from the North Pennines market town of Alston to the village of Slaggyford , over the border in Northumberland. Heritage Railways are run by lovely volunteers and are great attractions to visit with your dog.
The other heritage railways are The Eden Valley Railway at Warcop and Kirkby Stephen East.
One of the most picturesque railway journeys in England is of course The Settle To Carlisle Railway, which meanders through remotely beautiful parts of the Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley. Dogs are welcome and travel for free. We must do a trip with Hugo in 2024.
Lovely Places To Eat & Drink.
Decisions! Decisions! The Eden Valley is home to so many dog friendly cafes & pubs, that it’s just impossible to mention them all here. I’ve decided to include some of my own personal favourites and add a couple of places that are on my ever expanding ‘ to go to’ list.
The Black Swan 🦢 Ravenstonedale.
The Highland Drove Inn, Great Salkeld.
The Old Village Bakery, Melmerby.
Saddleback’s Coffee Bar, Langwathby.
Verey Book Shop, Pooley Bridge.
Walkies.
Because The Eden Valley is so close to The Lake District National Park, one would be forgiven for heading there to the lakes and fells. However Eden itself is wonderful walking country and doesn’t suffer the crowds of Lakeland. Two of the valleys towns ‘Alston’ & ‘Kirkby Stephen’ have achieved ‘ Walkers are Welcome’ status. Here are just a tiny taster of walks you can enjoy with a four-legged-friend. As ever, be mindful and follow the countryside code and always keep dogs on lead when around livestock.
Fell walks.
To my shame we’ve only managed one fell walk! But we have done it twice..The hike on the photo is Melmerby Fell on a gorgeous April day in 2023. Not a soul in sight!
If you like your fell walks Eden has plenty, most are part of The North Pennines range.
Dufton Pike with Paws Explore North.
Great Asby Scar with Beating The Bounds.
High Cup Nick with The Bald Hiker.
Knipe Scar with Adventurer Nic.
Nine standards with Down By The Dougie.
Flatter Walks.
If you don’t wish to scale the heights of Cross Fell & co , here are a few lower level walks to enjoy in the lovely Eden Valley countryside.
Armathwaite & Coombes Wood with Sunshine & Celandines.
Askham & Lowther with John Bainbridge.
Knipe Common & River Lowther with Sunshine & Celandines.
Ladies Walk Edenhall ~ I have definitely mentioned this short circular route on blog posts, but never got round to doing a full post. It’s one we do alot with Hugo from the pretty village of Edenhall, through woodland, along the River Eden and back, passing cornfields in the Summer months. Hugo loves splashing about in the river and the woodland is cooler for him on a hot day.
Long Meg & her Daughters with Lake District Escapades.
Wet Sleddale Reservoir with Sunshine & Celandines.
Other Useful Online Resources.
I Love Eden Valley Facebook Page.
https://visitappleby.com/dog-friendly-attractions/
Thank you for reading and do let me know your own Dog Friendly Eden Valley recommendations. 🐕
sunshine and celandines 