This little walk takes many of the historical and picturesque sites about Eamont Bridge and Brougham, in Westmorland, and along the river in both counties.
Starting in Eamont Bridge, it crosses the River Eamont on its mediaeval bridge and then follows the river downstream in the meadow on the northern (Cumberland) bank until it is opposite the commanding ruins of Brougham Castle.
Crossing the long bridge where once the Romans did, the route passes Brougham Castle, behind which are the remains of a Roman fort, Brocavum, whose stones were taken to build the castle.
Next, you follow the road, which itself follows a Roman Road, to a crossroads where the route turns right, to head west to Brougham Hall. Around Brougham Hall, we pass Brougham hamlet. On the right, you will pass St Wilfred’s Chapel – a lovely mediaeval chapel, and which is linked to the Hall by a footbridge over the road. Soon you cross over the River Lowther and emerge on the road towards Eamont Bridge.
First though, look opposite to the entrance to the Lowther Castle Estate – the walk does not go on to the ruins of that castle, which are a bit distant, and on another walk.
Turn right, and as you approach the village, to your left is King Arthur's Round Table, an unusual Neolithic earthwork, with a raised centre, hence the name. Here you turn left, and look for the Millennium Monument – a large monolith, which shows where you turn off the B-road onto a lane, that leads around to Mayburgh Henge; a spectacular Neolithic enclosure. (A third ringwork that stood for millennia here was dug up for a road in the 19th century. O tempores o mores.)
Past Mayburgh Henge is a path to the right, which reaches the River Eamont again, and down to the village, and to where we started.
The route: map
Maps
- Lake District – Pathfinder walks guidebook: Ordnance Survey
- Explorer maps (1:25 000): Lake District Map Set, including:
- OS Explorer OL04: The English Lakes: North-Western Area (incl Skiddaw and Keswick)
- OS Explorer OL05: The English Lakes: North-Eastern Area (incl Helvellyn and Ullswater)
- OS Explorer OL06: The English Lakes: South-Western Area (incl Scafell and Coniston)
- OS Explorer OL07: The English Lakes: South-Eastern Area (incl Windermere)
- Landranger maps (1:50 000):
Books
- Lake District – Pathfinder walks guidebook: Ordnance Survey
- Athelstan : The Making of England by Tom Holland
- In Search of the Dark Ages: a history of Anglo-Saxon England by Michael Wood