Calderbridge is an inland village situated on the A595, close to Seascale and Sellafield, the river Calder runs through the village, from whence it gets its name.
Calderbridge's most famous building is undoubtedly the Abbey. Calder Abbey is a small picturesque ruin about one mile east of the village. Founded in 1134 by Ranulf Meschines, Lord of Copeland, for a colony of monks from Furness Abbey, originally as a Benedictine monastery, which some fourteen years later adopted the reformed order of Cistercians...The Abbey has been described as being one of the most enchanting of any of the monastic ruins in the British Isles.
During its long life the Abbey made great contributions to the lives of the community...alms to the poor, animal husbandry, crop production, and bee-keeping...Even 'Abbey Mead'. Not too surprisingly, for a property of this great age, the Abbey is reputed to be haunted.
Calder Abbey lies just within the National Park and may be visited by prior arrangement with the owner. The ruins stand in the grounds of a private residence and can only be glimpsed from a public footpath which passes a few hundred yards away. This path, known as the Monk's Road, begins close to the church at Calder Bridge and goes through an area of pasture-land adjoining the river. Behind a group of converted buildings it meets the drive of the private house and from here the Abbey ruins are just visible, a few graceful arches in the Early English style in a sylvan setting.
Calder incidentally, was amongst the first of the monastic foundations to be dissolved and in 1538 its lands were acquired by the chief agent of the dissolution Dr Thomas Legh.It has remained in private hands ever since. The highest detail of the Abbey is the remaining portion of the church tower, supported by four aches. Other parts of the church, including the north arcade of the nave, and the chapter house, remain. A late Georgian private house occupies part of the site on what was the monks frater and dormitory.
Nearby is Pelham House on the site of the manor house of the Stanley's, who settled in Ponsonby in 1388. Along by the stream is Sella Park with interesting old houses with pele-like walls and an old oak recalling the country life of 300 years ago.
The church of St. Bridget's, built in 1842 by Thomas Irwin of Calder Abbey, is located in the centre of the town. Ponsonby parish has been a united benefice with Calderbridge since 1957, and today is served by the vicar of Beckermet. Ponsonby church stands in the park of Pelham House which at one time was Ponsonby Hall. The tower and spire were built by the Stanley family in 1840. Ponsonby Old Hall is today farmed by the Stanley family.
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