On the morning of 13/12/20 a small group of 4 walkers met at the village car park in Dalston and started the walk at 08:30.

Leaving the village we crossed a few fields to the road near Buckabank and then along farm tracks to Gaitsgill. Leaving Gaitsgill on another farm track to field paths to Raughton Head and then to High Bridge.

After leaving High Bridge we crossed the main avenue to High Head Castle. High Head Castle was once thought to be one the finest houses in Cumbria before being destroyed by fire in the mid 1950’s. Surprisingly there is quite a lot of the building remaining although it is in very poor condition. The building has recently changed ownership and some restoration work is now being carried out.

Following farm tracks and footpaths we reached Bell Bridge on the River Caldew in time for lunch. Bell Bridge has recently been totally rebuilt using stone from the old 245 year old bridge which collapsed into the river following Storm Desmond in December 2015.

After leaving Bell Bridge we returned to Dalston along the River Caldew on the Cumbria Way passing Rose Castle, Rose Bridge and Lime House School to our starting point in Dalston at 15:40. Walk distance approximately 17.8 Miles.

Attendees Jim (Leader), Andy, Pat and Trish