The Eden Valley

The Eden Valley as seen on Robson Green's Weekend Escapes on BBC2 in January 2024

Lying with the Pennines to the east and the Lake District Fells to the west, the beautiful Eden Valley around the River Eden is a mix of lush green countryside, traditional towns and attractive sandstone villages some dating back to Viking times. To the south are the peaceful Howgill Fells, a favourite of Wainwright.

The River Eden which has its source in the Mallerstang Valley, is one of the finest salmon and trout rivers in the North of England and you can enjoy some great riverside walks. Look out for Lacy's Caves, carved out of sandstone right on the riverbank or go in search of the Eden Benchmarks, ten intriguing sculptures in dramatic settings which act as welcome seats.

The most scenic railway in England, the Settle to Carlisle line runs through the Eden Valley with stations at Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Langwathby, Lazonby and Armathwaite.

Penrith, is a welcoming market town and an ideal base to explore the area. Brough, near Kirkby Stephen is an old coaching village, rich in history, while Orton and Tebay is an area of striking landscapes, local produce, heritage and intriguing myths and legends.  Shap is famous for its granite offers great walking and the historic Shap Abbey.

The Eden Valley, has been featured on BBC2's Britain's Heritage Heroes, ITV's 'The Adventurer's Guide to Britain', the Channel 5 series Coast to Coast with Tony Robinson and on the ITV series 'Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury'.

The Eden Valley has featured on TV in 2021 in Joanna Lumley's Home Sweet Home - Travels in my Own Land - when Joanna travelled on the world-renowned Settle to Carlisle Railway line.

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