Walk The Eamont Way
If you’re looking for a scenic walking route, the recently opened Eamont Way between Penrith and Pooley Bridge is definitely worth a wander.
This 5.5-mile trail follows the River Eamont and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and there are plenty of interesting things to see along the way.
Starting in Penrith, the Eamont Way begins at the railway station, near the historic Penrith Castle.
From here, you’ll follow the signs towards junction 40 of the M6 motorway. Just before Redhills you will see the signpost below.
The route is well signposted from here, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.
The first point of interest is to go under the railway line through the ‘Narnia’ tunnel where you open up to stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
From here the traffic noise from the motorway dies away, as you pass through meadows, woods, and fields as you go.
The path crosses the River Eamont by way of a new footbridge leading to Sockbridge.
Sockbridge and neighbouring Tirril have long been associated with the Wordsworth family.
William Wordsworth’s grandfather, Richard, lived here when he moved from Yorkshire to be the clerk of the peace and managing agent for Lowther estates.
The property is now called Wordsworth House, which is on the right leading through the village.
William’s elder brother, also called Richard, owned the local pub in Tirril called the Queen’s Head.
The walk continues on along bridleways toward Kirkbarrow Hall Farm and the 12th century church of St Michael in Barton.
In the churchyard are the graves of Francis Coulson and Brian Sack the creators of Sharrow Bay.
From the church, the path skirts the B5320 through fields and meadows to eventually arrive at Pooley Bridge.
For 650 years from 1215 A.D to around 1860, a weekly fish market was held in Pooley Bridge where incredible numbers of eels are sold.
The fish monument by the Crown Inn commemorates the market.
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