Cycle ride from Cockermouth to the Punch Bowl, Great Broughton

The first cycle ride together in ages (13km) and the first from the rectory, Cockermouth.

Route: from the rectory, cycling downhill, north, on Lorton Road and then Kirkgate and along Main Street to the footbridge over the River Derwent and then the Sustrans route to, and beyond, Papcastle to Great Broughton for a pint. Afterwards, crossing the A66 into Brigham and taking Low Road and Cockermouth Lonning to Ellerbeck Brow to cross the A66. At this point T suffering a mechanical problem with his bike, so L continuing home and then returning to Brigham Road with spanners. Following a minor repair, home on the obvious route.

Conditions: a cool but sunny day.

Pub: the Punch Bowl, Great Broughton, for Brimstage New Zealand Pale Ale.

Circuit of Slate Fell, slight variant

An 8km walk on a grey day with neither of us feeling spiffy.

Route: from the rectory, walking through the cemetery to the Greenway and following it east round the final housing estate of Strawberry Grange onto Strawberry How Road and then along the road, over the A66 and left for about 1km of road walking, to a clear bridleway on the left through Westray. 

Crossing the A66 but, this time, avoiding the overgrown, unpleasantly brambly path 400m to the road and instead going through a gate to the left after 20m and taking a diagonal line uphill to the grassy path under Slate Fell leading to Brick Kiln Wood but detouring right, downhill, to locate the nondescript source of Bitter Beck. Returning to the path to and through Brick Kiln Wood and then along St Helen’s Street to the footbridge into the grassy area behind the Kirkgate Centre and arriving at the Bitter End pub from above down Swan Street.

Conditions: a cool, grey and breezy morning before an afternoon of rain.

Pub: the Bitter End for Lunebrew Pale Ale.

Six bridges run, Cockermouth

A frivolous concept for a run (and hence an Outdoor Day) though incorrectly executed: crossing all the 6 bridges over the Cocker within Cockermouth and both sides of the river between them. Sadly yielding less than 5km of run! In fact the bridge on Market Place was omitted both ways!

Route: from the rectory running through the cemetery, under the chapel of rest to the maintenance area to join the Greenway and along this over the Cocker. Turning left and running along the west bank to the footbridge at Double Mill. Running back down the east bank to recross the viaduct, descending the muddy steps to the riverbank road and down to cross the bridge on Victoria Road. Taking Victoria Road to the left turn on Kirkbank and down the path to the cross footbridge by Toll Cottage. 

Running next to Croft Bowling Club to Croftside, then Challloner Street and then High Sand Lane to the Brewery Lane footbridge, past the closed Jennings Brewery and emerging on Market Street. NB We missed the very obvious Market Street bridge entirely, both ways! Continuing on the east bank to the footbridge then along the west bank to an alley back to Victoria Road and then along Tweed Mill Lane as though completing the run to home but then turning left down to the Swan Inn.

Conditions: a grey early evening with a cold wind.

Pub: the Swan Inn, Cockermouth, for Brakspear Gold.

The Mill Trail with Cockermouth Striders

A 6km walk involving most, but not all, of an official Cockermouth Striders mill history walk, led by Stan Leigh.

Route: from the rectory, walking briskly via the Greenway to the main entrance to Harris Park, off Fern Bank to join the group. Then walking slowly to Double Mills and then back along the Cocker to Rubbybanks Mill and then joining the Greenway, looking at the sheds remaining from Tweed Mill and out onto Lorton Road. Descending Skinner Street to take the track under the main road to Little Mill meeting its current incumbent, Michael Fisher. Then back down Kirkgate and Cocker Lane looking at three mills including the remains of Cocker Bridge End mill to John Stoddart's Mill and the Jennings Brewery. Via the foot bridge at Brewery Lane to Waterloo Street and Wharton's Mill to see a hidden mill race under two houses (visiting both Linda and Carol’s gardens to do so). At this point, leaving the group to their lunch in Memorial Gardens for a pint, instead, at the Bitter End and then home.

Conditions: contrary to the forecast, a hot, sunny day.

Pub: the Bitter End, Cockermouth, for Loch Lomond Brewery Ben Ime.

5km Cockermouth run

A 5km early evening run round Cockermouth. The first run recorded here for two months and the first from the rectory.

Route: from the rectory running south on Lorton Road and then left on Strawberry How Road to the end of the houses. Turning left on a path to the Greenway and along this to the bridge over the Cocker. Just before, turning left to run along a woodland path and then across two fields (past civic exercise equipment) to the footbridge overlooking Double Mills and then back along the other side of the river to Croft Side and then Challoner Street to Main Street and then right on Low Side Road and back along the river to the Jennings Brewery. Through Market Square car park and past the church up Market Street, turning right on Kirkgate to the Swan Inn for a pint. Afterwards, a short, if uphill, walk home.

Conditions: after a warm enough spring day, dropping cooler.

Pint: the Swan Inn for Brakspear Oxford Gold.

Circuit of Slate Fell

A 9.5km solitary (T) walk prospecting for future runs.

Route: from the rectory (temporary home since 21.02.25), walking through the cemetery to the Greenway and following it east round the final housing estate of Strawberry Grange onto Strawberry How Road and then along the road, over the A66 and left for about 1km of road walking, to a clear bridleway on the left through Westway. 

Crossing the A66 to take an overgrown, unpleasantly brambly path 400m to the road (it would be worth exploring the possibility of detouring left and cutting the corner) and then almost immediately left on a better grassy path under Skate Fell to Brick Kiln Wood. Back along the St Helen’s Street to the Castle Bar for a beer in the last of the afternoon’s sun in the beer garden. Then home (via Sainsbury’s).

Conditions: a beautiful sunny spring day after a period of cold grey days.

Pub: the Castle Bar, Cockermouth for Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.

Walk from Lorton to Cockermouth rectory

A solitary walk (T), on Lois’ first day of her new job.

Route: leaving the cottage and taking the path to the church, along the road and left on the newish path to the new houses at the edge of te village. Crossing the road and taking the path across fields in the direction of the River Cocker (though remaining some distance from it). Following along fairly dry paths across wide feature-less fields to the watery crux where the stepping stones were above the water level. Past Stanger Spa and then uphill and down into the confusing Stanger farm area. 

Walking 100m up the road to a footpath on the left with a helpful ‘Beware of the bull’ sign. Following a series of very muddy paths, poorly marked and overgrown to regain the road at Southwaite. Taking the path along the east of the Cocker to Cockermouth and then to the Greenway, cemetary and to the rectory.

Conditions after the previous day’s warm sun, cloudy and cold.

Pub? A can of Beer Brothers What The Flock session IPA at the rectory.