Eden Valley and the Howgills
Eden is a beautiful corner of Cumbria in the North of England, taking the lakes and mountains around Ullswater, part of the Lake District National Park and the moorlands of the North Pennines around Alston, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In between, the River Eden flows through the rolling countryside of the Eden Valley. Lying with the Pennines to the east and the Lake District Fells to the west, the beautiful Eden Valley around the River Eden is a mix of lush green countryside, traditional towns and attractive sandstone villages some dating back to Viking times. To the south are the peaceful Howgills.
The River Eden which has its source in the Mallerstang Valley is one of the finest salmon and Trout Rivers in the North of England and you can enjoy some great riverside walks. Look out for Lacy’s caves, carved out of Sandstone right on the riverbank or go in search of the Eden Benchmarks, ten intriguing sculptures in the dramatic settings which act as welcome seats.
The most scenic railway in England, the Settle to Carlisle line runs through the Eden Valley with stations at Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. Penrith, a welcoming market town makes an ideal base to explore the area. Brough, near Kirkby Stephen is an old coaching village, rich in history, while Orton and Tebay is an area of striking landscapes, local produce, heritage and intriguing myths and legends. Shap is famous for its granite, offers great walking and the historic Shap Abbey.
The characteristics of the land define Eden’s three distinct regions; the mountains and the beautiful Lake Ullswater, rolling countryside of the Eden Valley and the moorlands of Alston and the North Pennines.
There are many local towns and villages to visit such as Penrith, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Brough, Ullswater, Alston, Orton, Tebay and Shap.