Braithwaite
Grid Ref : NY 231237
The village of Braithwaite nestles at the foot of the Whinlatter Pass with a magnificent backdrop of the mountains of Grisedale, Causey Pike, High Stile and Barrow, forming the famous Coledale Horseshoe as it curves round the head of Coledale Hause. Coledale beck winds its way down the valley and enters a narrow gorge before tumbling and rushing through the village where it is crossed by two humped backed bridges aptly named High Bridge and Low Bridge.
Braithwaite makes an excellent base for touring the Lake District, situated at the start of both the Whinlatter Pass and Newlands Pass.
The area immediately around Braithwaite is some of the best walking country in the Lake District. Its deep valleys are surrounded by mountains, rising steeply from the valley floors, so height is gained quickly. There are not the crowds of the central fells, but the views are superb. The walking is good, but not dangerous with normal precautions. Some fells have steep screes which are dramatic to look at, and which may be safely viewed from the pleasant ridges above. The closest fell is Barrow, not one of the highest at 455 metres or 1494 feet above sea level, but commands good views from the summit.
About 2.75 miles from Braithwaite, up the Coledale valley, is the Force Crag mine, recently restored for the National Trust, where you can see the buildings and machinery of the last working metal mine in the Lake District.
The village has a small church – St Herbert.
Nearby places of interest :
Menu :
