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Experiences

Great Walks & Runs From Melmerby

The grounds and gardens of Melmerby Hall are private and for the use of guests staying at Melmerby Hall and Stag Cottage only.

There is a public footpath leading through the wooden door opposite the Village Hall which winds down through the wooded glen then opens onto the A686 where across the street and up the entrance to Town Foot there is a stile on the RHS and a public footpath leading towards Ousby and Garrigill. Aside from this footpath leading through the Glen from the Village Hall entrance, there is no public access to the gardens and woodland of Melmerby Hall.

We love hiking from Melmerby because you can always finish back at the super Village Bakery, the Melmerby Stores & Tea Room or at the Shepherd’s Inn Pub for some refreshments afterward.

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Shorter walks along public footpaths

(1) Up the fellside into the spruce woods – Head through the village of Melmerby, past the Shepherd’s Inn pub on the LHS, past La Brocante shop on the LHS and then take the next lane past the farm on the left which runs up the fellside offering great views up the Eden Valley and back over the village of Melmerby. There is a lovely stream which runs through these woods that kids love!
(2) The old bridleway from Melmerby towards Gamblesby. Head North East from the village of Melmerby along past the Melmerby Caravan Park. About 100 meters up on the RHS is the entrance to the bridleway which is just before you reach the Ivinson’s saw mill. This bridleway leads along to Unthank and past Gamblesby with some RHS turns which lead back to the road to Gamblesby and some extensions up to the LHS which give some good views of the fells and the Lake District.

Medium walks

(3) Melmerby to Gamblesby (3.6 miles, mostly flat)
An excellent circular walk or run from Melmerby up the bridleway to Gamblesby and back along the quiet lane leading from Gamblesby back to Melmerby (3.6 miles). Please see the attachment below to download the pdf of the route
(4) Melmerby to Ousby (4.5 miles, on quiet lanes, some small hills)
We often run this route in the morning – just the right length before breakfast and along the country lane leading from Melmerby to Ousby, a loop up onto the fellside and back to Melmerby again.

Longer Walks

(5) Lacey’s Caves, the River Eden and Long Meg and her Daughters
Adding on the walk from Melmerby to Glassonby takes this hike up to about 7 miles or you can drive to Glassonby and park down by the Daleraven bridge and start the 5 mile loop from there through the woods and along the river. It starts along the single track road leading down the hill from Glassonby towards Kirk Oswald cutting left as you reach the valley floor along the banks of the River Eden. It passes Lacey’s Caves, the waterfalls and the remains of Long Meg mine before running above the Carlisle Settle line to Little Salked. From Little Salkeld, the route runs up hill to Long Meg and her daughters, one of the largest stone circles in England and back along some lovely country paths past Addingham Church to Glassonby.

(6) The Bridleway from Melmerby Woods to Glassonby and back again via Gamblesby bridleway

Melmerby & The Glen local walk

This walk begins at the arched gateway to Melmerby Hall. It firstly has a looped section within ‘The Glen’ – the private wooded valley of Melmerby Beck which forms a part of the Rowley Estate. A second loop then uses public paths and local roads in and around Melmerby village and green.

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Melmerby, Ousby & Gale Hall

The walk starts from the gateway to Melmerby Hall and uses field paths and tracks southward to Ousby. After passing through the village and one or two outlying hamlets it then moves into hilly country of the East Fellside and returns to Melmerby via Gale Hall, crossing then over Melmerby Green. A shortened route is available which doesn’t visit Ousby.

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Cuns Fell, Maiden Way & Ousby Townhead

The walk starts from the gateway to Melmerby Hall and heads eastwards using local roads, tracks, hill paths and steep grassy slopes to traverse Cuns Fell and reach Megs Cairn and the Roman Road (Maiden Way) on the high backbone of the North Pennines. It then traces the course of the Maiden Way gently downhill before dropping down steeply, along an old mining wagon way, into the Eden Valley at Ousby Townhead. The route back to Melmerby utilises field paths and tracks to the east of Ousby, passing by Gale Hall.

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Lacey's Caves, the River Eden and Long Meg and her Daughters

This walk is just over 5 miles through the woods and along the river. It starts along the single track road leading down the hill from Glassonby towards Kirk Oswald cutting left as you reach the valley floor along the banks of the River Eden. It passes Lacey’s Caves, the waterfalls and the remains of Long Meg mine before running above the Carlisle Settle line to Little Salked. From Little Salkeld, the route runs up hill to Long Meg and her daughters, one of the largest stone circles in England and back along some lovely country paths past Addingham Church to Glassonby.

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