Brackenber Moor

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

Brackenber Moor

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 Moor, located in the historic county of Westmorland in England, is a picturesque expanse of downs and moorland. Situated within the Cumbrian Fells, it provides a stunning natural landscape for visitors to admire and explore.

Covering an area of approximately 10 square miles, Brackenber Moor is characterized by rolling hills, heather-covered moorland, and scattered patches of woodland. The terrain is varied, with gentle slopes in some areas and steeper inclines in others, making it an ideal destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

The moor is home to a rich variety of plant and animal life, including heather, bilberries, and a diverse array of bird species such as curlews and lapwings. The open expanses of Brackenber Moor offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, providing a sense of tranquility and serenity.

In addition to its natural beauty, Brackenber Moor also boasts a rich cultural heritage. The area is dotted with ancient burial mounds, stone circles, and remnants of prehistoric settlements, adding an element of historical intrigue to the landscape.

Access to Brackenber Moor is facilitated by a network of footpaths and bridleways, allowing visitors to explore the area on foot, horseback, or bicycle. The moor is also a popular spot for picnicking, birdwatching, and wildlife photography.

Overall, Brackenber Moor in Westmorland offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural significance, and recreational opportunities, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic English countryside experience.

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Brackenber Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.572123/-2.4418601 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

Footpath south of Low Barn

The footpath leaves the minor road to Flakebridge to follow the northern edge of a patch of woodland. The bits of plastic pipe (seemingly much loved by gamekeepers as markers for all sorts of things) bear numbers for shooting positions, presumably to annihilate pheasant being driven over the horizon from the fields to the north (right, in this view). Anything being driven out of the woods would be in your face before having time to fire a shot and a shorter-range weapon would seem more in order. Tennis rackets to return serve or a net on a long pole as used for Puffins in the Faeroes, perhaps ?

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

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

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