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Brampton is a tidy market town that is the ideal base for exploring Hadrian’s Wall, which is only two miles away. Much smaller than Carlisle, it’s a good spot to base yourself if you’re looking for a quieter place to plot your walks.
Surrounding the town is the gently rolling countryside of the Irthing Valley and Geltsdale, leading up to the rugged beauty of the North Pennines AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). A rich mosaic of woods, fields and moorlands crossed by numerous footpaths, bridleways and quiet roads makes for perfect walking and cycling country.
Close to the town are pockets of woodland and forest with open access and crisscrossed by waymarked routes and handy information panels – at Gelt Woods, Miltonrigg Wood, Rowbank Wood, Talkin Tarn and The Mote/Ridge Wood. A little further away are the beautiful hanging woodlands along the Irthing gorge at Combe Crag Wood and Gilsland Spa.
The low rolling hills conceal the outlying rural villages of Laversdale, Irthington, Walton, Lanercost, Talkin, Low Row, Hallbankgate and the former mining communities of Tindale and Midgeholme on the Pennines, whilst Gilsland, a spa town on the eastern edge of the county, straddles Cumbria and Northumberland.
To the north is Hadrian’s Wall, a 75-mile (120 km) long fortification extending from the Solway Firth to Wallsend-on-Tyne that signified the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Its strategically placed forts, fascinating milecastles, turrets and signal stations can be easily accessed by the Hadrian’s Wall bus (AD 122), which links to Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail and Hadrian’s Cycleway.
The original 7th-century Anglian settlement of Brampton (from the Old English ‘brom tun’ meaning ‘town where broom grew’) is thought to have sprung up by the old church (on the site of an old Roman fort), but the local lord fancied having a deer park so the town was cleared and re-established a short distance away in 1250. Medieval nobles could do that sort of thing. King Henry III granted the new town a market charter in 1252, and it grew up around Moot Hall, which was replaced in 1817 by the octagonal structure you see today. At the base of it are the iron stocks and a bull-tethering ring – a sober reminder of how local folk were punished and how bulls were baited before being slaughtered.
The town was frequently targeted by the Border Reivers – organised family gangs on both sides of the border that would steal, burn, kill and use extortion as a way to get by. Locals weren’t all that enthused about their methods and built a series of fortified pele towers (including at Newby Bridge and Askerton Castle) as an advance warning system, while the Wardens of the Marches were appointed to keep the peace. In the ‘Western March’ the job fell to the Lords Dacre of Naworth Castle, who held the title for nearly 300 years, until reiving as a way of life disappeared following the union of the English and Scottish crowns in 1603.
There was more trouble during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, when Prince Charles Edward Stuart (the Bonnie Prince Charlie of the song) laid claim to the throne and decided to march on London. First though, he successfully besieged Carlisle but chose to ‘rest’ in Brampton. After his defeat at the hands of the Duke of Cumberland many of his Jacobites were captured and hanged – six of them from a tree on Capon Tree Road. A monument marks the spot where the tree once stood.
Longtown - With its attractive 18th century bridge, Longtown makes a good starting point for walks along the River Esk and through the surrounding countryside. The Solway Firth is also popular with birdwatchers looking for wading birds and wildfowl. A 60-acre country park, Oakbank, offers fishing, a bird sanctuary, lakes, and walks. Built in 1776, the red sandstone estate church in Longtown, St Andrew (Kirk Andrews upon Esk) is a rebuilding of an earlier one and restored itself in 1893. Longtown's Gothic styled parish church is dedicated to St. Michael and stands on land once called Arthur's Head. The parish name became Arthuret. A cross in the churchyard also represents the knights of Malta.
Lanercost - Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, the Augustinian priory of Lanercost was much involved in the Anglo-Scottish wars. During his last campaign in 1306-7 the mortally sick King Edward I rested here for 6 months before dying at Burgh-by-Sands as he prepared to enter Scotland. The abbey suffered terribly from Scottish raids, being sacked four times. It was finally dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537 but today its beautiful 13thC church remains remarkably well-preserved, standing to its full height; part is now in use as the parish church. See the unique 16thC wallpaintings in the Dacre Hall.
Fun facts and tantalising trivia about the town of Ambleside. Click for more details.
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Hadrian's Wall the northern frontier of the Roman Empire
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Brampton
Everybody loves Ernest. In fact, Cecily and Gwendolen are both engaged to Ernest. The only trouble is, he doesn't exist. Or does he…?
Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle
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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
523 reviewsBrampton
Historic, demonstration chef John Crouch is back with us at the Roman Army Museum showcasing ancient Roman cooking, in collaboration with the Comfrey Project. You will be immersed in ancient Roman life, as you smell the aromas of ancient flavours,…
Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle
The Walby Farm Park Gift Shop, “The Gift Shed” has been stocked with farm and countryside lovers in mind. Our range of toys, books and gifts is complemented by a hand-picked selection of children’s clothing, which can be handy if you’ve forgotten…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
523 reviewsBrampton
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A regular exhibitor at Gallery Northwest, Annie is also a vital member of the GNW management team.
Carlisle
The Fleece at Ruleholme is a brand new country inn offering 23 luxury bedrooms, two restaurants and extensive conference, banqueting and Wedding options.
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Hallbankgate, Brampton
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498 reviewsBrampton
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221 reviewsBrampton
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Brampton
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Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
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