Deep in the heart of the Eden Valley and surrounded by beautiful countryside which the valley is renowned for...it has not surprisingly been called 'Englands best kept secret'.
Langwathby is a village five miles north-east of Penrith, and is situated bwteen the River Eden and the carlisle-Settle scenis railway line.
Before the erection of the stone bridge over the Eden in 1685 there was a Wath (ford) which was the longest across the Eden...hence the name Lanwathby. In those days it was the main crossing for horse transport from the East fellside to Penrith. It was as recently as 1968 that the stone bridge was washed away to be replaced by a steel structure.
Round the broad green, farm buildings stand close together, many of the weathered sandstone walls very substantially built.Centuries ago they had to keep out border raiders. Among the red houses stands a small red church with a double bellcot, and with stairs from its porch to an upper room, where is an old oak chest. A window from this vestry looks down into the nave which has roughly-shaped beams in its roof, and on the west wall are pieces of mid 17th century armour once used by the village militia. There are two breastplates, a wide brimmed helmet and some other pieces from the store which most villages kept in those days.
Look for Beck Mill Gallery, once a ruined mill, now converted to a delighful arts and crafts centre.
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