Brackenber Flodders

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Westmorland Eden

England

Brackenber Flodders

Bridge over Hilton Beck The bridge carries Leagarth Lane, Hilton&#039;s main road, over Hilton Beck, and is seen from the public footpath on the south bank heading for Langton and Brackenber. Water levels are quite high, and for those keen to try out little-known river descents, is almost at a paddleable level - this would be a convenient put-on, with parking to the left of the background trees. There&#039;s at least one livestock fence to watch out for downstream (but has a big eddy and can probably be sneaked via a broken panel, as of early 2022). — Bridge over Hilton Beck Credit: Andy Waddington

Brackenber Flodders, located in Westmorland, is a picturesque freshwater marsh encompassing a diverse range of aquatic habitats including a lake, pool, pond, and marshland. Spanning over a considerable area, it offers an idyllic haven for wildlife and nature enthusiasts alike.

The star attraction of Brackenber Flodders is its serene lake, which stretches across several acres. The crystal-clear waters are home to an abundance of aquatic species, including fish, amphibians, and waterfowl. Visitors can observe the tranquil scene while strolling along the lake's edge or opt for a leisurely boat ride to explore its hidden corners.

Adjacent to the lake, a smaller pool and pond provide additional ecosystems for various aquatic plants and invertebrates. These habitats offer a glimpse into the delicate balance of nature, with visitors often spotting dragonflies, water lilies, and other fascinating species.

Surrounding the water bodies, the freshwater marshland forms a crucial part of the ecosystem. Saturated with water for most of the year, it provides a perfect breeding ground for wetland plants such as reeds, sedges, and bulrushes. This marshland serves as a sanctuary for numerous bird species, attracting nesting birds and offering a vital stopover for migratory flocks.

Brackenber Flodders, with its diverse aquatic habitats and thriving wildlife, offers a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the wonders of freshwater ecosystems. Whether it's birdwatching, fishing, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings, this natural gem promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

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Brackenber Flodders Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.570758/-2.4367101 or Grid Reference NY7119. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridge over Hilton Beck

The bridge carries Leagarth Lane, Hilton's main road, over Hilton Beck, and is seen from the public footpath on the south bank heading for Langton and Brackenber. Water levels are quite high, and for those keen to try out little-known river descents, is almost at a paddleable level - this would be a convenient put-on, with parking to the left of the background trees. There's at least one livestock fence to watch out for downstream (but has a big eddy and can probably be sneaked via a broken panel, as of early 2022).

Andy Waddington

Hilton Beck from Thornless Hill

The larger scales of map show the public footpath here as being at the bottom of the steep bank, but invasive gorse rather deterred one from trying anything down there. The top of the bank, however, remains largely in keeping with the name of the rising ground behind the photographer - Thornless Hill. It is not improved pasture like the enclosed fields towards the village of Hilton, but is mainly free of prickly walker-deterrent vegetation. The road is the one to Hilton from Appleby and likely the one that a SatNav would bring you to, since the road south of Hilton passes through Warcop training area and is confusingly missing from such navigation technology (presumably because sometimes it is closed to the public).

Andy Waddington

Hilton Beck at Langton

Hilton Beck runs along the northern and western edges of Brackenber Moor (Appleby Golf Course) and for the aficionado of obscure ditches who prefer their paddling not to be too scary, looks quite an attractive proposition. The level seen here is fairly high through snowmelt, but with some rain too it would perhaps be a little quicker from a put-in at Hilton to a take-out at Coupland. This view is from just upstream of the footbridge at Langton and shows what would, in lower water, be an easy ford. The beck seems relatively free of tree hazard for a lowland trip, but there is at least one livestock fence (just around a blind bend) to watch out for - there may be other hazards not seen on my walk (it was a dog walk, not a full river reconnaissance).

Andy Waddington

House nearly finished, Langton

The fresh local sandstone construction looks quite colourful but will no doubt weather quite quickly to be a match for the other nearby properties. Open eaves on the nearest part of the building show that there is still work to do on the house, but the next main challenge will surely be the garden. It's a heavy clay soil left by the retreat of the Eden Valley glacier, but at least the site is not beset by the sort of rubble often seen on building sites. I wish them luck.

Andy Waddington

Copse south of Murton Beck

This stand of trees (which we would have called a copse where I grew up, but they are not coppiced, so whether the term would apply here I'm less sure) occupies the corner of a field south of Murton Beck, the northern edge of which is followed by the public footpath from the Flakebridge road towards Murton, upon which the photographer and his trusty but dawdling hound are standing as the daylight fades (again).

Andy Waddington

Murton and Hilton church

Situated midway between Murton and its smaller satellite Hilton, the church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Its graveyard lies just across the minor road between the villages, and slightly nearer to Hilton, and lies among the tall conifers seen on the left of the view.

Andy Waddington

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This OS cut mark can be found on the barn at Kirkber Farm. It marks a point 155.466m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This OS cut mark can be found on the barn at Langton Farm. It marks a point 159.602m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Ordnance Survey Pivot

This OS pivot can be found on the wall SW side of the road. It marks a point 164.857m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Ordnance Survey Pivot

This OS pivot can be found on the culvert NW side of the road. It marks a point 182.426m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This OS cut mark can be found on the east angle of St John's Church. It marks a point 232.361m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Church at Murton

The Church of St. John the Baptist stands beside the minor road linking the villages of Murton and Hilton.

Trevor Littlewood

The Cottage and barn at Hilton

Hilton is a small, attractive village at the foot of the steep western slope of the northern Pennines; it's unfortunate that it's also perhaps the closest settlement to the MOD's Warcop Firing range with 'live' artillery firing occurring on most days of the year. No danger of course but the noise must be aggravating! The small cottage is actually named 'The Cottage'; it's on the north side of the road.

Trevor Littlewood

St John the Baptist, Murton

Bikeboy

Farm Ford at Langton

This farm ford is found on the Hilton Beck at Langton.

John Walton

Near Ellerholme

Looking SW.

T Eyre

Stoneriggs Hill

Looking towards Murton Pike.

T Eyre

B6542 turn off, A66

The A66 is a major road in northern England running from near Middlesbrough to Workington. The section between Scotch Corner and Penrith is a Trans-Pennine route between the A1 and M6, following an old Roman Road. Wikipedia: Link