Brough

Civil Parish in Westmorland Eden

England

Brough

Looking over Swindale The view from the bridleway at Helbeck looking over the wooded valley to the distant fells above Kirkby Stephen and Mallerstang. — Looking over Swindale Credit: Karl and Ali

Brough is a civil parish located in the county of Cumbria in northwestern England. Situated in the district of Eden, it is nestled within the picturesque Eden Valley. The parish covers an area of approximately 16 square kilometers and is home to a population of around 600 residents.

The village of Brough is the main settlement within the parish and is known for its historical significance. It was once an important market town during the medieval period and served as a key crossing point over the River Eden. Today, remnants of its rich history can still be seen in the form of ancient buildings, including the 12th-century Brough Castle, which stands proudly overlooking the village.

The village itself offers a range of amenities and services to its residents and visitors. There are local shops, pubs, and cafes, providing a variety of options for shopping and dining. Additionally, Brough has a primary school, a community center, and a village hall, serving as focal points for community activities.

The surrounding countryside offers stunning natural beauty, with rolling hills and lush green landscapes. There are ample opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and fishing, thanks to the nearby Pennines and the River Eden. Brough also benefits from its proximity to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, providing further options for exploration and adventure.

Overall, Brough, Westmorland, is a charming and historically significant civil parish, offering a tranquil and picturesque setting for its residents and visitors alike.

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Brough Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.522668/-2.314213 or Grid Reference NY7914. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Looking over Swindale

The view from the bridleway at Helbeck looking over the wooded valley to the distant fells above Kirkby Stephen and Mallerstang.

Karl and Ali

Track below Helbeck Quarry

Andrew Curtis

Track east of Helbeck Quarry

The footpath along the track which starts at the end of the minor road near Helbeck Quarry looked like a good place to walk. The extensive area of Warop Range was shown on my fairly recent 1:25000 map as starting west of Helbeck Wood NY7816 and well to the north NY8018 However, the red flag flying here, a confusing sign which both implied that you were entering the range area but (maybe) not quite at danger for a distance 3800 metres from the flag, and the loud sound of gunfire were enough to put me off. The range here is in use six and a half days of the week. Sunday afternoons and the few access days would be a better bet when I'm next across this way. Link

Andrew Curtis

Bluebells above Swindale Beck

Andrew Curtis

Hazel coppice and bluebells, Swindale Wood

Andrew Curtis

Swindale Beck

Andrew Curtis

Common Tamarisk-moss (Thuidium tamariscinum)

A common and easily recognised moss growing on a boulder in Swindale Wood, near Swindale Beck. Link

Andrew Curtis

A carpet of bluebells in Swindale Wood

Andrew Curtis

Fields east of Helbeck

View south to the distinctive outline of Long Rigg Scar NY8009 : Long Rigg with High Seat in the distance. Birkett Hill, another hill with a distinctive profile, can be seen to the right, above the trees NY7907 : Birkett Hill from Birkett Hill

Andrew Curtis

Ash tree bole, Swindale Beck

The common ash tree of Britain and Ireland is the species Fraxinus excelsior, whose range actually covers most of Europe. The limestone rock in this area has favoured growth of mature ash woodland with a dense under-storey of Hazel, commonly coppiced NY8015 : Hazel coppice and bluebells, Swindale Wood. This is largely ancient woodland which has survived on the steep slopes above the Swindale Beck NY8015 : Wood by Swindale Beck, and has been little affected by introduced tree species. Strangely, ash trees do not support a wide range of invertebrates which results in ash woodlands being unable to support as rich a collection of birds as most other broadleaved forests. The bark on the trunk is a greyish brown colour, with deep cracks often extended in a diamond pattern.

Andrew Curtis

Helbeck Quarry above Brough

An active and ever expanding limestone quarry opened in the 1920s operated by the Sherburn Stone Company. It quarries limestones formed during the Dinantian Epoch of the Carboniferous Period, from approximately 327 to 316 million years ago.

Andrew Curtis

Road from Brough to Middleton in Teesdale

The wooded valley of the Swindale Beck can be seen beyond the road.

Andrew Curtis

Past the red flag, east of Helbeck Quarry

This afternoon the red warning flag wasn't flying so I decided to complete the walk I had planned earlier NY8015 : Track east of Helbeck Quarry This is the track just past the gate and red flag which warns of live firing on the MOD range.

Andrew Curtis

Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium)

Rock-rose is abundant in the short, rabbit-grazed grassland east of Helbeck Quarry reflecting the underlying limestone rock of this area NY8015 : Helbeck Quarry above Brough

Andrew Curtis

Track below Spoonymire Hill

Andrew Curtis

A66 east of Brough

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

N Chadwick