Hesket Newmarket to Caldbeck

It’s easy to think that the Lake District stops at Skiddaw. Beyond the northern face of this iconic fell there appears to be little more than rolling pastures and farmland. It’s a vast area of the Lake District that is often ignored in favour of the more dramatic landscapes of the lakes and fells. However, for those who are willing to venture along the windy roads that lead around the back of Skiddaw, the northernmost edge of the Lake District is filled with charming woodlands and pretty rivers, as well as gorgeous villages that will have you knocking on the door of the local estate agent.

This walk starts in the pretty village of Hesket Newmarket. It then follows the river Caldew through farm and woodland until you reach the point where the river meets the Cald Beck and merges into one. Where the rivers meet is surrounded by ancient woodland that is brimming with bluebells in the spring. The route then joins up with the Cumbria Way before arriving at the larger village of Caldbeck. You will then return to Hesket Newmarket either by road or by retracing your steps. The walk up to where the riversmeet is ideal for young children and you can choose to return to your car at that point, with the remainder of the walk best suited for older children.

The Start of the Walk

There is a small, free car park in Hesket Newmarket adjacent to the Denton House Bed and Breakfast at the eastern edge of the village. Park here and then exit the car park. Go straight across the lane that is split three ways by various greens, heading to the church directly in front of you.

Once at the church, turn left along the pavement (so the church is now on your right) and you will see beyond the church there is a stone wall with a small play area on the other side. There is a gate in the wall leading to the play area, with a footpath sign marked for “Watersmeeting”. Go through this gate.

Through the Field

Once through the gate, go past the play area on your left and go through a second gate directly ahead of you. You will now be in a field. Continue straight on to the other side of the field where there is a small stream with a footbridge to cross. On the other side of the footbridge, there is another gate to go through. Once beyond this gate you will be in a small strip of woodland with a narrow path that runs along side a fence on the left. Follow this until you reach another gate.

Wild Garlic

Once through the gate, you will be in a small field with the river on your right. Follow the path, heading towards another patch of woodland ahead of you. The path rises slightly before reaching another gate that you will need to go through. You will now be in more woodland, and this area is brimming with wild garlic and woodland anemones in the early spring. Keep following the path until it reaches another gate.

Crossing the Field

Go through the gate and you will now be in a large field. The path is clear to follow at first but then does tend to become difficult to follow. If in doubt, keep right towards the river. At the other end of the field, there is a small gate to go through (pictured).

Go through this gate and you will once again be in a narrow strip of woodland that straddles the river. Follow the clear path that will take you down some steps into more woodland where the river comes much closer to the path. You will then come to another gate.

Entering the Bluebell Woodland

Go through the gate and you will once again be in a field, this time on the very edge. Follow the path along the field boundary and this leads you to a large farm gate. Go through this gate, and the path splits in three on the other side. Note the footbridge on your left, as you will cross this later. Take the middle path directly ahead of you.

This leads into a small woodland that is almost entirely encircled by the beck and the river, making it impossible to get lost in. During April & May, this woodland is brimming with bluebells creating a fantastic display. Where the beck meets the river, there is a small beach area ideal for paddling, through you should be aware of fast moving currents further in. There are plenty of picnic spots here, as well as den building opportunities.

Return to Hesket Newmarket or Continue to Caldbeck

The path does do a full circuit of the woodland, returning to the large farm gate, but it is overgrown in places and can be difficult to follow. As mentioned above, it’s impossible to get lost in here, as you are encircled by water apart from where you entered. Once you are finished in the woodland, head back towards the farm gate. At this point, those with younger children may like to retrace their steps back to Hesket Newmarket.

Alternatively, to continue onto Caldbeck, head over the footbridge that you saw to the side of the farm gate when you entered. There is a tree swing on the other side.

Joining the Cumbria Way

Once over the bridge go straight on, heading up the hill. At the small fork in the path, take the left hand fork. You will now walk through an area of newly planted trees. The path starts to ascend fairly steeply here and once through the new sapling area, you will be in older woodland where there are sporadic patches of bluebells in the spring. The path goes through a gap in a fence and into another area of newly planted trees. It ends at another path on the other side of the saplings. Turn left here. You will now be on the Cumbria Way.

Heading to Caldbeck

Follow the path and you will reach a gate. Go through the gate. The path becomes narrow here with prickly overgrowth. It then opens out slightly and you will have delightful views of the northern fells towards Skiddaw and Blencathra. At the fork in the path, take the lower fork on the left hand side.

The path will now begin to drop down towards Caldbeck, becoming increasingly wider. You will then notice the river getting closer on your left, before you eventually arrive at a large farm gate with a notice requesting that you stick to the path.

Caldbeck

Go through the gate. You will see a water treatment works directly ahead of you. Follow the track as it leads to the left of the treatment works. Beyond the water treatment works, the area opens up and you will now find yourself walking through a small campsite.

Keep following the track until you exit the campsite through a gate and enter Caldbeck village. Again, keep going straight until you arrive a small stone bridge on your left hand side. Go over the bridge and walk along the church wall through an alleyway that will take you into Caldbeck.

Returning to Hesket Newmarket

If you wish to explore Caldbeck, then once out of the alleyway turn right. You will find public toilets, shops, cafés, and pubs in this direction. The village itself has a chocolate box appeal.

To return to Hesket Newmarket, turn left out of the alleyway and follow the road. This will lead you directly to Hesket Newmarket. It’s around a mile and a half on a fairly quiet lane, but young children should be monitored. If you prefer, you can re-trace your steps back along the Cumbria way and down through the woodland, which is around two-miles.