Melmerby is a small picturesgue vilage situated some four miles north-east of Langwathby, and ten miles east of penrith, on the edge of the Eden valley...nestling at the foot of Hartside Pass.
It is delightful village at the foot of the Pennines where the road between Penrith and Alston begins to climb Hartside, which rises to 1900 feet on the top of the escarpment. Not far away the Roman road called Maiden Way goes over the fells northward to the Tyne valley. Parts of the road are still traceable where fragments of the original paving are visible.
Almost every house here overlooks the village green - itself dissected by three becks with many wild woodland flowers. Each house-holder here has grazing rights, mostly used by horses, though in the past it was more common to see large flocks of geese grazing.
It will be noted that many of the trees in the village have been planted as windbreaks against the cold winter Helm Wind.
The old church of St John the Baptist situated on the edge of the village dates back to 1332 (at least). It has a three decker pulpit and gallery, together with a mediaeval cross-slab and piscina.
The school here was built in 1860 and has a church-like clock tower.
The residents of Melmerby Hall - the Manor House - own several properties and farms in the locality. There has been a Lord of the manor here since the reign of Henry III.
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