a walk with cotton and corn mills, a salmon-ladder, an historic village, and woodland rich with birdlife

Holme Head and Dalston following the River Caldew

Lake Distict NatioNaL Park

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Scottish Border

Howgills

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soLway Firth

River EdenCatchment Area

© Crown copyright. All rights reservedLicence no. 10000 5056 (2007)

Carlisle

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weir at Holme Head

Ferguson Mill and weir

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Holme Head and Dalston following the River Caldew

“Adown the stream where woods begin to throwTheir verdant arms around the rocks below,A rustic bridge across the tide is thrown,Where briars and woodbine hide the hoary stone,A simple arch salutes th’ admiring eye,And the mill’s clack the tumbling waves supply.”

Susanna Blamire, a Dalston poet who lived 1747-1794.

From the southern end of Bousteads Grassing, cross the footbridge over the River Caldew.

The unusual building straight ahead of you – at the corner of Denton Street and North Street – is the coffee-tavern and reading-rooms built by Ferguson Brothers for its employees in 1882. It stands at the end of Bridge Terrace, a row of terraced houses built by the firm of spinners, weavers, bleachers, printers and finishers in 1852. The gardens in front of the Grade II-listed houses were once home to the company’s bowling green.

Turn left to pass Bridge Terrace on your right, followed soon after by The Bay public house.

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The Bay pub was once the home of Ferguson Brothers’ works manager. Most of the mill buildings in the area have now been converted into homes. The company moved to the site in the 1820s, although the buildings are thought to date from about 1800. The Bay itself was built in 1864 to regulate the flow of water into the mill-race, which the factory used both as a source of power and in some of its production processes. The factory, later run by Coats-Viyella, closed in 1991.

A fish-ladder has been built at the weir here to enable salmon, returning after their epic swim across the Atlantic from Greenland, to return to their breeding-grounds along the river. Guided by the chemistry of the water, and having lived in the sea for up to four years, most salmon return to the same river in which they hatched from eggs. Visitors to Holme Head may catch sight of the salmon as they attempt to leap up the weir - before they find the ladder. They can be seen between October and December, especially just after a period of flood.

salmon

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Just beyond the weir, you can choose to follow the path beside the river or bear right at the fork to keep on the surfaced cycleway. This soon swings left and goes through a complicated-looking metal gate. In very wet weather the cycleway provides an easier route to Dalston.

From the cycleway, you can see a wildlife pond to the right, and, in the distance, Carlisle’s award-winning cemetery which has been the city’s main burial-ground since 1855. Red squirrels are among the wildlife that can be found along the site’s tree-lined avenues. The Caldew cycle-track forms part of Sustrans’ National Route Seven, running from north Cumbria to Inverness. This is also the route of the Cumbria Way, a 70-mile walking route from Ulverston, in the south of the county, to Carlisle. The route was devised by local Ramblers’ Association members in the mid-1970s.

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cyclists,lino print for bronze panel

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Go through the next metal gate and enter a small wood by a stile. Keep straight ahead along the path, leaving the wood by a second stile beside the mill’s outflow channel. Turn left and follow the tarmac path around Stead McAlpin works’ perimeter fence.

One of the last-surviving examples of the river Caldew’s once thriving textile industry, Stead McAlpin moved into the Cummersdale print works in 1835. The textile printer and dyer is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the John Lewis Partnership, having been taken over by the workers’ co-operative in 1965.

At the factory gates, keep straight ahead, passing a footbridge on your left. The lane swings right. When it does so, keep straight ahead on the riverside cycleway, passing an Environment Agency river level monitoring station and then going under the railway bridge.

heron fishing on the Caldew

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Built and controlled by the local coal-owners and gentry, the Maryport and Carlisle Railway was engineered by George Stephenson and opened in stages between 1840 and 1845. Its main purpose was to provide transport for coal from the northern part of the Cumbrian field, although Carlisle merchants were initially opposed to it because they feared that Maryport, with its already thriving industry, would harm the Earl of Carlisle’s collieries east of Brampton.

There is a wealth of birdlife along the banks of the Caldew. You may be lucky enough to spot kingfisher and dipper; oystercatchers sometimes nest on the shingle beds close to the railway bridge; and, in winter, siskin and the increasingly rare redpoll can be seen in the alders.

Kingfisher perched on branchillustration based on © image Nigel Blake (rspb-images.com)

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After 2.5 kilometres, you approach the Nestlé factory and a number of signposted routes off the main track – ignore all of these.

One of these paths leads up to Low Mill, a former corn-mill. This was fed by a mill-race drawn off the Caldew. Before reaching Low Mill, the water was used by the Low Green Cotton Mill. This mill operated until 1884 and its site is now occupied by the Nestlé factory, which was built in 1962.

Continue along the cycleway.

When you reach the edge of the playing fields, just beyond the factory, turn left to follow the track round the back of Caldew School. Turn left at the road and walk through the village via the churchyard.

Most of the buildings in Dalston date from the 18th century, but there are also two, 15th century, clay dabbin cottages in the Square. St Michael’s Church was built in 1750 and restored in 1850, but has a chancel dating from the 13th century. In the 19th century, the village was home to several cotton mills.

Soon after passing the Co-op, you will see a wrought-iron structure – known locally as ‘The Lamp’ - on the grass. Turn left just after this - along the ‘no through road’.

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Dalston church

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the White Bridge, Dalston

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The Lamp was constructed in 1911 to mark the coronation of King George V. Consisting of a stone base with a wooden lamp-post on top, it was the village’s first street-light. Unfortunately, it did not remain lit for long because it became the cause of controversy, even resulting in brawls. Some people were angry that the name and emblem of the village had been placed above that of the king. Eventually, the lamp-post was removed, leaving just the stone base. However, that wasn’t the end of The Lamp; the parish council decided to restore it as part of its millennium project. Today, it consists of a metal sculpture designed and built by John Parkinson, of the Upfront Gallery near Hutton-in-the-Forest; and it again serves its original purpose as a street-light.

When you reach the end of the lane, cross the White Bridge over the river Caldew.

The bridge was originally built in 1899 and then reconstructed in 1999.

A few yards after passing a green bench on your right, turn left at a footpath sign (towards Cummersdale). Walk with the fence on your immediate left for a short while, and then go through a kissing-gate and down some steps, to continue with the fence on your right.

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Continue walking parallel to the river, picking your way through the trees.

The woodland here is home to the four most common species of warbler – garden, willow, chiffchaff and blackcap. The latter’s fluting song has earned it the nickname ‘northern nightingale’. Chiffchaff can be identified from their distinctive ‘chiff chaff’ call as they flit from tree to tree. Nearby in the gorse, look out for linnet, yellowhammer and whitethroat.

Chiffchaff on brambleillustration based on © image Malcolm Hunt (rspb-images.com)

Rivers and the textile industry:

The river Caldew is just one of many rivers in Cumbria that contributed to the growth of the area’s industrial base, including paper, pencils and, of course, textile mills. Although water power was nothing new, from the late 18th century the mills of the Industrial Revolution used it on a larger scale than ever before. By the middle of the 19th century, water – mostly from the river Caldew – had made Carlisle and its surrounding villages into the fourth most important textile-producing area in the country. The first textile factory opened in the city in 1724, but it wasn’t until the laws on the use of cotton were relaxed in 1774 that the industry really took off. Cumbria was also home to a huge bobbin industry serving the cotton factories. At one point, there were 120 water-powered bobbin mills in the Lake District, producing about half of the entire international textile industry’s bobbins.

Rivers and the textile industry:

The river Caldew is just one of many rivers in Cumbria that contributed to the growth of the area’s industrial base, including paper, pencils and, of course, textile mills. Although water power was nothing new, from the late 18th century the mills of the Industrial Revolution used it on a larger scale than ever before. By the middle of the 19th century, water – mostly from the river Caldew – had made Carlisle and its surrounding villages into the fourth most important textile-producing area in the country. The first textile factory opened in the city in 1724, but it wasn’t until the laws on the use of cotton were relaxed in 1774 that the industry really took off. Cumbria was also home to a huge bobbin industry serving the cotton factories. At one point, there were 120 water-powered bobbin mills in the Lake District, producing about half of the entire international textile industry’s bobbins.

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carpet of wild garlic

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As you draw level with the chimney of the Nestlé factory on the opposite side of the river, a wire fence prevents you from continuing in the same direction. Turn right alongside the fence and then over a wooden step stile into Ike’s Wood.

The next section of the walk can be muddy in places. Keep to the left of the next waymarker post and down a slippery embankment.

The woods on this side of the river Caldew are home to several resident birds, including the long-tailed tit, treecreeper, great spotted woodpecker and goldcrest, the UK’s smallest bird.

At a T-junction of paths, turn right and cross a narrow footbridge. Once over Pow Beck, turn left to walk with the fence on your left and then head straight across the field towards the river bank. Keeping a fence on your left at first – and ignoring a fisherman’s stile in it – you soon cross Calfins Beck via a plank bridge.

treecreeperillustration based on © image Gordon Langsbury (rspb-images.com)

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Pass to the left of a water-trough and then through two gates into another field.

On the other side of the field, cross the step-stile into Blackhall Woods. Bear right into the trees and follow the narrow track up the bank, bearing left at the top.

The path, covered in a thick layer of beech leaves, is indistinct in places.

Rich in potash, the huge amount of foliage shed each year from beech trees is a boon for the woodland soil. However, the combination of a vast root system and the dense shade cast by the heavy foliage makes it difficult for undergrowth to thrive in established beech woods.

woody nightshadeillustration based on © image Val Corbett

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bridge over Pow Beck

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railway tunnel

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Keeping close to the river, go down a bank, across an old stile and then bear right, up a stepped embankment. Soon after, you find yourself on a track heading up to a gate. Just before reaching the gate, turn left at a waymarker and continue following the posts through the woods. The path is muddy in places, but there are sections of wooden walkway over the wettest patches.

After crossing a bridge over a small beck, climb some steps and briefly leave the woods. Descending some more steps, cross a plank bridge and enter an area of sparse trees. You finally leave the woods via a wooden step-stile, after which, turn right to cross a second stile.

Walk across the field until you reach a large gap in the fence on your right. Go through this gap and immediately over a step-stile by a metal gate on your left. Bear half-right to cross the field diagonally – to a wooden step-stile in the opposite corner, into woodland again. Climb a few steps on the other side of the stile and then bear left at the top of the embankment.

Once over the next metal stile, there is a short section of wooden walkway to ease your progress over a boggy patch.

In the distance, you can see Dixon’s Chimney, part of Shaddon Mill. This cotton factory, built in 1836, used water from the Caldew – channelled via the Denton Holme mill-race - for its steam engine.

A waymarker soon indicates that you must head back down to the river. Once at the bottom of the slope, make your way towards the railway. Cross a series of plank bridges before passing under the railway via a concrete walkway, through a short tunnel.

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Just beyond the tunnel, cross the metal stile in the fence on your right. Walking across this field, you can see the buildings of Blackwell Hall up to your right.

Just beyond Blackwell Hall – and not visible from the riverside path – is the building in which Bonnie Prince Charlie was staying when he called for the surrender of Carlisle during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. This was on the 10th of November. The city held out for a few more days before the Jacobites entered on the 15th of November They posted a garrison there before marching south to Derby, but the Duke of Cumberland regained Carlisle before the end of the year.

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Once over the next metal stile, continue along the tree-lined river bank. Crossing another two metal stiles along the way, follow this riverside path all the way into the suburbs of Carlisle.

If you’re walking early in the morning or at dusk, keep your eyes peeled for otters. These often elusive creatures, which belong to the same family as badgers, weasels and stoats, are on the increase in England after many years of decline. They can often be spotted at the foot of bridge piers or on rocks in the river. Watch for footprints in soft ground along the river bank as well as spraints (droppings). These are black or dark greenish and tar-like when fresh. They are loosely held together and have a distinctive, musky/fishy odour, described as smelling like newly mown hay. Over time, the spraints fade to grey, but retain a sweet scent. They may sometimes be confused with mink scats, which tend to be more compact and have an unpleasant smell.

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red campion

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In the summer, watch for sand martins, which make their nests in the river bank. They make a horizontal tunnel up to 90cm long with a chamber at the end, using the same site until the cliff collapses or until the holes become too big. Agile fliers, they feed on invertebrates as they skim the surface of the water. They are among the first spring migrants to appear, arriving mid-March to mid-April.

sand martin nest holes along the river Caldew

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sand martinsillustration based on © image Heather Angel(naturalvisions.co.uk)

Bridge Terrace with old coffee-tavern and reading-rooms

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As you approach the built-up area, cross a small bridge and then go up a few steps to return to Bousteads Grassing, where the walk started. If you parked in Denton Holme, turn left along the surfaced path to cross via the footbridge to conclude your walk.

‘Discover Eden’ is a countryside recreation and interpretation programme being managed by East Cumbria Countryside Project in partnership with the Eden Rivers Trust supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Fourteen circuital routes at dispersed locations throughout East Cumbria provide an opportunity to explore the great scenic diversity associated with the Eden catchment landscape.

Each route is well way-marked with arrows and the distinctive ‘Discover Eden’ kingfisher logo. Watch out for a series of small bronze panels etched with motifs depicting aspects of human and natural heritage. Rubbings can be taken from these using paper and crayon.

By walking all routes you can eventually collect rubbings of eighty four images.

Brief route details:

Parking: limited, considerate parking at the far end of Boustead Grassing. Also possible to park in Denton Holme on Sundays, when the disc parking restrictions do not apply. Length: 8¼ miles 13 kilometres 4 – 5 hoursGrade: moderate: level, easy access on outward route,

return can be muddy with short steep sections, steps and stiles.

Route: Holme Head – Cummersdale – Dalston – Ike’s Wood – Holme Head

Clothing: boots and outdoor clothing; paths can be wet

Please leave gates as you find them, leave no litter and keep dogs under close control.

bronze motifs by Pip Hall

research and text by Vivienne Crowimages by Barry Stacy, Val Corbett and ECCP inside flap1. River Eamont 2. Mayburgh Henge 3. Red River benchmark near Temple Sowerby4. Mosedale near Calbeck 5. Haaf netting in Solway 6. Ravenstonedale7. Appleby horse fair 8. River Eden near Wetheral 9. Pendragon Castle

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Cemetery andCrematorium

to Carlisle

Reproduced from 1923 Ordnance Survey map with the kind permission of the Ordnance Survey © East Cumbria Countryside Project 2007

Originally published by East Cumbria Countryside project (c/o Carlisle City Council)

Eden Rivers Trust: Dunmail Building, Newton Rigg College, Penrith. Cumbria CA11 0AH tel: 01768 866788

email: office@edenrt.org

website: edenriverstrust.org.uk

Scale0 1km

0 ½ mile

other paths

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