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The beautiful village of Armathwaite nestles by the river Eden in a wooded hollow, renowned by many for its salmon fishing.
The castle is a four storey high pele tower, built originally to prevent Border raiders from penetrating further into what was then known as Cumberland. The castle was originally owned by the Skelton family. John Skelton was Poet Laureate to Henry VIII. Later, he was to seek refuge from the anger of Cardinal Wolsey by taking sanctuary at Westminster where he eventually died.
The delightful chapel of Christ and mary was originally built in 1402. For many years it was in disrepair and by the 17th century was actually being used as a cattle shelter. Richard Skelton rebuilt it around 1600 and today it can be seen almost as it would have been over three hundred years ago.
Further along the Eden, near the weir, a mill was built for grinding corn at the beginning of the 19th century. In the early 1930s the mill was altered to operate electrically, and consequently the village cottages received electricity for the first time.
Arthurian legend runs deep in these parts and visitors to the area will soon learn of the 'Giant of Tarn Wadlyn'. He apparently lived at the same time as King Arthur and Queen Guinevere resided in Carlisle. According to popular belief the giant Ewen Caesario by name, now lies buried in St Andrew's Churchyard, Penrith.
The impressive Nunnery Walks lead through a leafy avenue of trees to the Gorge, returning via a woodland walk which includes the enchanting view of Croglin Water. Just downstream is Sampsons Cave. Sampson was apparently a labourer who worked on the construction of the Carlisle to Settle railway line. He became involved in a brawl which culminated in murder. Sampson hid in the cave but was eventually discovered and taken to Carlisle where after a lengthy trial, he was hanged.
The Eden Gorge between Lazonby and Armathwaite is one of Cumbria's best kept secrets and is well worth exploring, on water, or on foot.
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