A Walkers Paradise, on your doorstep, Talkin Tarn, Geltsdale RSPB Reserve and so much more…..

In Cumbria, close to the border of Northumbria, Wall and Lakes Cottage is the perfect location for wonderful walks and cycle ways.  Check out our website for lots of suggested walks, cycle paths and activities.

As local owners, we enjoy and know the surrounding area well.  Here are some of our own favourite, stunningly beautiful local walks.   You may also wish to check out the North Pennines National Landscape site, which provide a great selection of slow (easier) as well as more challenging, high, walks.  Fellfoot Forward slow trails – North Pennines National Landscape.  We also have some of their leaflets/walks in the cottage for you to use.

• My number one favourite walk must be a stroll around tranquil, stunningly beautiful, Talkin Tarn. From the holiday cottage you can drive up to Talkin Tarn in about 5 minutes, park up and enjoy a relaxing, meander around Talkin Tarn.  Alternatively, the more adventurous can walk directly up to Talkin Tarn, walk onto Tree Road, Station Road, turning onto the footpath “Dandy Line”, up to Brampton Railway Station and across its bridge to Talkin Tarn (this walk is beautiful and takes about an hour or less).  Walking around the tarn, on its relatively, wide, flat path, you can enjoy the birds, small boats and carved wooden animals hidden amongst the trees, as well as the sun sparkling on the water.  For those with small children there is also a small adventure playground perfectly placed to allow you to relax with a cup of tea from the café, as they play.  This is also a perfect spot for a picnic with toilets and outside tables near the peaceful water’s edge. 
• Geltsdale RSPB bird reserve. This is easily reached from the lovely village of Hallbankgate, just 3 miles from Brampton.  Here you can choose to park opposite The Belted Will pub and visit either The Hallbankgate Hub (a fantastic hidden gem, community run shop and café) or The Belted Will for a first-class bar meal.  Both highly, personally, recommended by us as well as many guests.  You can then leave the car and walk up Crossgates Road towards the bird reserve.  Or alternatively, you can drive up Crossgates Road and park in the small RSPB car park at its end.  From here you follow the path as it climbs across open countryside to give you a stunning view of Tindale Tarn. 
• Gelt Woods. Leave the car in the drive and walk up to Gelt Woods.  First turning left onto Tree Road, straight across the junction (Brampton Cottage Hospital on left) continuing straight along the road until you see the old fashioned black and white sign for Gelt Woods.  Turn and walk until you reach the magnificent River Gelt, walking along its banks as it flows, sculping the soft sandstone, truly beautiful and peaceful. 
• There are so many more, not to mention a stroll into the friendly Market Town of Brampton with its many café’s and pubs, Castle Carrock Reservoir, Cold Fell, Talkin Fell, and Lanercost Priory, amongst many others.

It is so easy to spend your whole holiday based at the cottage, exploring all the local beautiful places to see.  Although, of course, you can also choose to visit The Lake District National Park, Pennine Way, Dumfries and Galloway/Solway Coast, cities of Carlisle and Newcastle, if you wish to do so.  Your challenge will be finding the time to fit everything in.