In & Around Lanercost

Lanercost : History on your doorstep.

The Priory and The Dacre Hall

Opening times:

1 Apr - 30 Sep: Daily 10am - 5pm
1 Oct - 30 Nov: Thur to Mon 10am - 4pm

The hauntingly beautiful Lanercost Priory was founded by Augustinian canons in 1166.  When it was completed in 1220, others arrived from Norfolk, and there the order remained for some 370 years, until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536.  Thomas Dacre, of nearby Naworth Castle then coverted some of the buildings into private dwellings (now known as the Dacre Hall).   Parts of the building fell into disrepair but circa 1740 a decision was made to restore the nave and it as a parish church.  The Pre-Raphaelite architect Anthony Salvin, who was in charge fo the restoration and building work at Naworth Castle following the fire there in 1844, was responsible for the design of the church as you see it today.

 The adjoining ruins are home to the tombs of the Dacre and Howard families of nearby Naworth Castle (not open to the public, but private tours by the owner may be arranged by appointment).  The catacombs house an interesting collection of Roman artefacts.

The priory hosts an annual music festival in June and there are Craft fairs in May and August and at other times throughout the year.

www.english-heritage.org.uk
www.lanercostfestival.co.uk

Tel : 0845 2573401

Lanercost Restaurant / Tea Room and Farm Shop

Open Mon-Sat from 9am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm.

The converted outbuildings to the original Abbey Farm  next to the Priory now house a beautiful new development which includes a Tearoom & Restaurant,  Farm Shop & Gift Shop. Visit Lanercost to sample cafe culture with a cumbrian twist: the very best locally baked homemade cakes and tea, for the quintessentially English afternoon experience.  Have lunch or take a well deserved break from a walk or a weekend drive.  Combine a little shopping for a refreshing range of stylish contemporary gifts for the home and garden and delicious, fresh local produce.

www.lanercosttearoom.co.uk

Brampton

Five minutes drive away from Lanercost is the pretty cobbled market town of Brampton. When the Romans came to Brampton 2000 years ago they built a fort here and by the 7th century the Angles were living on the site. Later the early Christians built Brampton Old Church near to the River Irthing. There are many footpaths in the area to explore this part of Hadrian’s Wall (printed leaflets for walks are available in each holiday cottage). Centuries later Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here, en route to London with his army of Highlanders and successfully laid siege to the nearby city of Carlisle in 1745. The house where the Mayor of Carlisle handed him the keys to the city still stands in High Cross Street.

There’s something for everyone in Brampton’s wide range of shops and facilities; antiques, distinctive crafts, wholefoods and bakeries, as well as old fashioned pubs, a wine bar and cafes.

St Martin’s Church

“A remarkable building. Its East Window is glowing with gem stone colours”.

Well worth a visit, St. Martin’s church is famous, not only because it is the only church ever designed by the Pre-Raphaelite architect, Philip Webb but also because it boasts a glorious stained glass, designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and executed in the William Morris studio. Particularly memorable is the pelican depicted feeding her young with flesh from her own breast. The window was commissioned by the 9th Earl of Carlisle from nearby Naworth Castle and many of the Pre-Raphaelite artisans were friends and regular house guests.

Currently the church is open most days from May to September between 2 and 4 pm. At other times it may be possible to gain access by contacting either the team rector (016977 42182), the churchwardens (016977 2636) or Brampton Tourist Information Centre (located in the centre of town in the market place) 016977 42182.

www.stmartinsbrampton.org.uk

The Moot Hall

Situated in the market place, the Moot Hall has been a feature of life in Brampton since 1648 when Oliver Cromwell kept 40 prisoners there. The present building, built for the Earl of Carlisle, dates from 1817. Set into the cobbles are the iron stock, last used in 1836 and the bullring which was  moved here from its former position outside the Howard Arms. In Tudor times there was a great passion for bull baiting in Brampton.

The ground floor of the Moot Hall now houses the Tourist Information Centre.

Open daily

Open air markets are still held around the Moot Hall on Wednesdays and there is a monthly farmers’ market.

The Mote

The Mote, situated on the eastern outskirts of the town, was probably the base of a motte-and-bailey castle. On a clear day a gentle climb to the summit affords extensive views of Scotland to the north and Carlisle and the Solway coast to the west. A fine statue of the 7th Earl of Carlisle, formerly Viceroy of Ireland, was erected there in Victorian times.

Talkin Tarn Country Park

A couple of miles east of Brampton is Talkin Tarn, a 65 acre lake, glacial in origin and set in 120 acres of farmland and woodland. Legend has it that the ruins of Old Brampton lie in the murky depths of the tarn and for many years it was believed that the tarn was too deep to be accurately measured! The word tarn is Norse in origin, “Tjorn” meaning teardrop or small lake. Ancient artefacts such as buckles, stone artefacts and urns have been found in the area.

Wildlife abounds here; you may see damselflies, otters, badgers, fox and roe deer. Red squirrels frequent the bird and squirrel feeding area along with nuthatches and greater spotted woodpeckers. In winter, ducks flock to the open water to feed.

The tarn is an ideal place for a quiet stroll or an active day of water sports. There is a small children’s play area next to the Boat House. A variety of events are held throughout the year, ranging from activity and fun days to craft fairs.

Day fishing permits may be purchase on arrival. Closed season 15 March – 15 June.

Rowing boats can be hired at weekends and during school holidays from Easter to October, weather permitting.

Tel: 016977 3129

For more information on Brampton visit www.historic-carlisle.org.uk

Geltsdale Nature Reserve

A working RSPB nature reserve and farm, situated a few miles south east of Brampton, in the northwest corner of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, near the village of Hallbankgate. Geltsdale is an internationally recognised site for breeding upland birds. There are 3 walks here taking from 40 minutes to 2 hours. Dog owners are asked to keep their pets on a lead at all times.

Tel: 016977 46717
www.rspb.org.uk

Geltsdale Brewery

Cumbria’s newest micro-brewery, re-establishing the tradition of producing real ales in Brampton. Situated at Craw hall, Brampton.
Tel: 016977 41541
www.geltsdalebrewery.com

Naworth Fishery

On the A6071 at its junction with the A69, the privately-owned Jubilee Pond is extremely good for fly fishing (no spinners) for brown and rainbow trout in tranquil surroundings.

Tel: 01434 38126

New Mills Trout Farm

Situated outside Brampton, just off the A69, New Mills is a registered fish farm rearing brown and rainbow trout. Fly fishing and bait fishing available. Children welcome.

Tel: 016977 41115
www.newmillstroutfarm.net