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Pictures of Caldbeck

in the county of Cumbria

The pretty village of Caldbeck in Cumbria.  Taken Nov 05 using Canon Powershot S50 -  -

About Caldbeck

An old brewery stands beside the Caldbeck - a tribute to the cold clear waters which gave the village its name. Caldbeck, which means 'cold stream' in Old Norse, grew up where two hill streams meet in a valley below the Cumbrian fells.

Caldbeck, was the home of John Peel, a local man who was born here in 1776. Peel, met and married a local girl, Mary White and they produced thirteen children.

More than any other past-time, Peel loved Hunting and he often followed the hounds in traditional Lakeland style, on foot. He is immortalised by the song D'ye ken John Peel. The words to this famous song were written by his friend, John Woodcock Graves. John worked in a mill making the grey cloth mentioned in one of the verses and, the song was set to music by William Metcalfe, the Carlisle Cathedral Organist.

Commemorating Peel's death in 1854 is an elaborate headstone carved with hunting horns. This stands close to the door of Caldbecks Church. A sandstone shelter close to the churchyard gate is dedicated to Peel and Graves but there is no mention of William Metcalfe.

Caldbeck is a captivating village, there are fine views towards a series of Lakeland peaks. The local Church of St. Kentigern dates from the 12th-century but was latterly restored in 1932. There is a gracious 18th-century Rectory with Gothic windows and in the centre of the village there are some well preserved 18th-century cottages. This pretty area is known as Midtown. A picturesque footbridge spans the Caldbeck and leads to Friar Row, a group of cottages with Cumberland slate roofs. These stone cottages were built around 1800.

Caldbeck is surrounded by the Majestic scenery of Lakeland, tarry a while and in a flight of fancy, you will swear that you can see John Peel in his gay hunting jacket, striding across the fells on his way to join up with his beloved hunt.

Nearby, the old town of Penrith and the City of Carlisle provide the visitor with endless shopping facilities, museums and Art galleries. Many inns and restaurants an be found near Caldbeck and in the beautiful surrounding countryside.

John Peel.
D'ye ken John Peel with his coat so gay,
D'ye ken John Peel at the break of the day,
D'ye ken John Peel when he's far, far away,
With his hounds and his horn in the morning?

Chorus.
For the sound of his horn brought me from my bed,
And the cry of his hounds which he oft-times led;
Peel's view halloo would awaken the dead,
Or the fox from his lair in the morning.

Yes, I ken John Peel and Ruby too!
Ranter and Ringwood, Bellman and True,
From a find to a check, from a check to a view,
From a view to a death in the morning.

Then here's to John Peel from my heart and soul,
Let's drink to his health, let's finish the bowl,
We'll follow John Peel thro' fair and thro' foul,
If we want a good hunt in the morning.

D'ye ken John Peel with his coat so gay?
He lived at Troutbeck once on a day;
Now he has gone far, far, far away;
We shall ne'er hear his voice in the morning.
Written by John Woodstock Graves for his friend, the Cumbrian huntsman, John Peel (1776 - 1854).



To quote from John Peel: The Man and the Song, John Woodcock Graves said the following in his account written in 1863:

Nearly forty years have now wasted away since John Peel and I sat in a snug parlour at Caldbeck, hunting over again many a good run, when a flaxen-haired daughter of mine came in saying "Father, what do they say to what Granny sings?" Granny was singing to sleep my eldest son with a very old rant called "Bonnie (or Cannie) Annie." The pen and ink for hunting appointments being on the table the idea of writing a song to this old air forced itself on me, and thus was produced, impromptu "D'ye ken John Peel with his coat so gray." Immediately after I sang it to poor Peel, and I well remember saying to him in a joking style, "By Jove, Peel, you'll he sung when we're both run to earth."

John Peel died from a horse fall in 1854 with 3000 people attending his funeral.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Caldbeck

Skiddaw Forest(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction S)Pictures
Trotters World of Animals(8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SW)Pictures
Greystoke Castle(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Castlerigg Stone Circle(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction S)Pictures
Carlisle Cathedral(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NE)Pictures
Derwentwater(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Carlisle Castle(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Holme Cultram Abbey(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction NW)Pictures
Dalemain House & Gardens(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SE)Pictures
Whinlatter Forest Park(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SW)Pictures
Aira Force(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Cockermouth Castle(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
Lorton Vale(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
Penrith Castle(13.9 miles, 22.3 km, direction SE)Pictures

All attractions in Caldbeck
All attractions in Cumbria
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Caldbeck

Bassenthwaite, in the county of Cumbria (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction SW)
This is the most northerly of all the lakes, it resembles beaten silver nestling between the sun dappled heights of soaring fells...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Threlkeld, in the county of Cumbria (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction S)
This is a magical area of sparking lakes, tumbling waterfalls, high peaks and vast moorland regions.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Keswick, in the county of Cumbria (10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction S)
Keswick is a pretty Market Town that nestles between the spectacular Skiddaw Mountains and the northern end of the serene...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Carlisle, in the county of Cumbria (11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction NE)
For over 1700 years this town occupied an important position on the Scottish-English border, few town's have experienced such...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Castlerigg, in the county of Cumbria (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction S)
Castlerigg is a favoured destination for tourists, it is easily accessible from the market town of Keswick and is within easy reach of the snaking waters of the pretty River Greta, picturesque becks and fells.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Penrith, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cumbria (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cockermouth, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cumbria (13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction SW)
Cockermouth is ideally placed to be used as a centre for touring the Lake District National Park. It has a High Street seemingly unaltered, and is ringed by some of the finest scenery in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ullswater, in the county of Cumbria (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SE)
Ullswater is considered by many to be the lake districts most beautiful lake. It is 7.5 miles of pure beauty, and as you approach...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Grange in Borrowdale, in the county of Cumbria (14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction S)
A picturesque village in the Borrowdale valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Martindale, in the county of Cumbria (14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Glenridding, in the county of Cumbria (14.8 miles, 23.8 km, direction S)
Glenridding lies in a beautiful area on the south-west side of Ullswater.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Watendlath, in the county of Cumbria (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction S)
A place of great beauty, Watendlath's dramatic landscape inspired writer Sir Hugh Walpole to choose it as the setting for his Rogue Herries series.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Silloth, in the county of Cumbria (15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction NW)
Silloth lies at one of the widest points along the estuary, it was established as a harbour for coastal shipping during the 19th-century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Patterdale, in the county of Cumbria (15.6 miles, 25.2 km, direction S)
The village of Patterdale is a well known vantage point at the head of Ulleswater, close to Brotherswater.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Askham, in the county of Cumbria (15.7 miles, 25.2 km, direction SE)
Snow tinges the broad grass verges of tree lined streets and a weak, late afternoon sun, filters down across the view of Lowther Castle situated at the edge of the village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Cumbria
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Dalston Station(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction NE)
Wigton Station(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction NW)
M6 Junction 42(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction NE)
M6 Junction 41(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction E)
Newcastle International Airport(57.8 miles, 93.0 km, direction E)
Teesside International Airport(67.3 miles, 108.3 km, direction E)
Caldbeck to London(255.0 miles, 410.3 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Caldbeck

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Caldbeck center
The Castle Inn Hotel(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction SW)
Armathwaite Hall Hotel(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction SW)
Wheyrigg Hall Hotel(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction NW)
Keswick Hotel(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction S)
Queens Hotel(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction S)
The Kings Arms(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)
Skiddaw Hotel(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)
The Edwardene Hotel(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)
Swallow Hilltop hotel(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NE)
The Grange Country House(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction S)
All hotels in Caldbeck

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