Cold Fell

Downs, Moorland in Cumberland Copeland

England

Cold Fell

Cold Fell is a renowned stretch of moorland located in the county of Cumberland, England. Situated in the northern part of the county, it forms part of the larger expanse of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The fell is characterized by its rugged and wild landscape, with rolling hills, open grasslands, and scattered rocky outcrops.

Covering an area of approximately 50 square miles, Cold Fell is known for its extreme weather conditions and harsh environment. It experiences strong winds, heavy rainfall, and bitterly cold temperatures throughout the year, making it a challenging terrain to navigate. The fell is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including a variety of bird species such as curlews, golden plovers, and red grouse.

The area has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back thousands of years. Ruins of ancient settlements, stone circles, and burial mounds can be found scattered across the fell, providing insights into the lives of early inhabitants. The fell is also intersected by several historic trails and paths, which were once used by drovers and packhorse trains to transport goods between towns and villages in the region.

Today, Cold Fell is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Its unspoiled beauty and tranquil atmosphere attract hikers, birdwatchers, and photographers. The fell offers a unique opportunity to experience the raw and untamed beauty of the English countryside, providing a stark contrast to the more populated areas of Cumberland.

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Cold Fell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.469067/-3.4575485 or Grid Reference NY0509. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Monks Bridge Crossing the River Calder, Cold Fell, Cumbria

The oldest packhorse bridge in Cumbria. Wainwright described it as "The most charming of Lakeland's packhorse bridges" and My Cousin told me we were going to see a "Wonder". Both were correct! As to a build date I would think it's Late 1600's maybe using stone from the nearby Abbey (closed 1536) But if it was built by the Monks then this would give a lot earlier date. It's also listed as Matty Benn's Bridge. Martha "Matty" Benn (1831-1888), who used the bridge to get to and from market on horseback. She was known to return in a state of inebriation but still managed to cross the bridge!

Brian Deegan

Bridge over River Calder below Monk's Bridge near Egremont

Colin Park

Monk's Bridge on the R Calder, E of Egremont

Monk’s Bridge on Cold Fell is the oldest packhorse bridge in Cumbria, and crosses Friar Gill where it passes through a narrow deep chasm. It was built for the monks of Calder Abbey, who would have crossed it on their many journeys. Iron ore would have been carried over it from Ennerdale to smithies on the fells to be smelted. The bridge is also known as Matty Benn’s Bridge, after the family Benn who lived nearby.

Colin Park

Cattle Grid

P Gaskell

Bridge over the Calder

The footbridge doubles as a farm bridge over the Calder near Friar Gill and is close to the much more photogenic Monks Bridge SeeNY0610 : Monks Bridge

Perry Dark

Monks Bridge

Wainwright called it the most charming of Lakeland's packhorse bridges. Also known as Matty Benn's Bridge it is the oldest packhorse bridge in Cumbria. It was built by the monks of Calder Abbey (dissolved in 1536) See NY0610 : Bridge over the Calder

Perry Dark

Coldfell Gate

David Purchase

Heading north from Cold Fell

Ian S

Coldfell gate.

approaching the Coldfell road.

steven ruffles

The top of Cold Fell

10 minutes' walk from the road.

steven ruffles

Old Milestone near Castley Hill

Carved stone post by the UC road, in parish of HAILE (COPELAND District), Cold Fell, Castley Hill, T-junction 50m West of cattle grid, on North East side of road. Egremont stone, erected by the Egremont to Salthouse turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- : To / Haile / 1 / Mile : : To / Wilton / (1½) Miles / To Egremont / (3) Miles : Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1084320 Link

Milestone Society National ID: CU_HLEG01.

CF Smith

Worm Gill Ford

This ford at Worm Gill on the River Calder is found below Thornholme.

John Walton

River Calder Ford

This ford is found on the River Calder just down stream of Monks Bridge: Link Link

John Walton

Small cairn at summit of Cold Fell

Cold Fell is a minor summit on the eastern side of the minor road connecting Ennerdale Bridge with Calder Bridge; its flat summit area is marked by the small cairn in the image. Lank Rigg is the hill to the right of centre, above the trees.

Trevor Littlewood

Hill road descending near to Friar Gill

The road acts as the access route for Farthwaite but descends beyond that to the valley of the River Calder. The hill in the distance is Lank Rigg.

Trevor Littlewood

Monk's Bridge across River Calder

An old packhorse bridge built by the monks of Calder Abbey many centuries ago. It stands close to a public footpath but crossing the bridge takes one only to a field. Perry Dark's image from 2012 shows the bridge in a vegetated state - Link.

Trevor Littlewood

Enclosure on west side of River Calder

The large area at the centre of the image appears not to be cultivated in any particular way. There's dead bracken and a large number of small trees many of which seem to have been uprooted, presumably by wind.

Trevor Littlewood

Wide ring of rocks at Tongue How

Tongue How is part of Lank Rigg; it lies above the confluence of the River Calder and Worm Gill. OS mapping records a number of antiquities there; this ring of rocks is one of them. The hill in the distance is Swainson Knott; it lies beyond Worm Gill.

Trevor Littlewood

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Cold Fell is located at Grid Ref: NY0509 (Lat: 54.469067, Lng: -3.4575485)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Copeland

Police Authority: Cumbria