From the first ticket … to the first Green Heritage Way route

Brampton station, with the former Dandy Line platform on the right

Back in 1842, Thomas Edmondson was the station master at Brampton in Cumbria, on the Carlisle to Newcastle Line. A horse-drawn carriage was used along the Dandy Line to connect the station with the town.

The real significance of this choice of route was that Thomas created the very first card passenger tickets in the world. This is an appropriate connection as I will shortly be showcasing a two-stage description of a new walk from Carlisle to Brampton to launch a set of car-free linear walks using public transport..

Talkin Tarn
The Dandy Line

Walking the Dandy Line

24th October – The town of Brampton is linked to its station on the Newcastle to Carlisle (Tyne Valley Line) by a recreational path a little over one mile long called the Dandy Line. The east/west railway being constructed in the 1840s well away from the old market centre required a connection and it was provided by a horse-drawn carriage. With the autumn leaves to kick under foot it makes a peaceful wander away from the madding crowd.

Hawthorn berries on the Dandy Line.

Wetheral to Castle Carrock

River Eden from Wetheral viaduct footway, looking north to the very distant hills of Liddesdale

23rd October – Walked from over Wetheral viaduct to Great Corby and on by Heads Nook and Faugh to Castle Carrock. Started in brilliant sunshine the day became ever more gloomy.

Northern train approaching the viaduct from Great Corby
Grand old forge, Great Corby
The Queen Inn, Great Corby
Flight of geese over the Eden

Wetheral walkers

The pub at Carleton

22nd October – Enjoyed a lovely walk from Carlisle Citadel Station to Wetheral today. Followed the River Petteril upstream to Carleton, where I passed the inviting The Nosey Cow Inn, en route to cross the M6 bound for Scotby. Continuing by a quiet green lane to Wetheral where I chatted with a quartet of more than happy walkers partaking of afternoon tea at the Posting Pot, having completed the penultimate day on the Settle-Carlisle Way.

Walkers at Wetheral

Muncaster Castle… is haunted so it seems

18th October Recorded a walk along the England Coast Path from Drigg sand dunes to Muncaster Castle with Angela Harker of Natural England and Peter Frost-Pennington owner of the castle estate. Peter mentioned that the castle was one of the most haunted houses in England. Well can you doubt it, I took this long photo up a a grand stone staircase of a painting of Tom Skelton. When I got home and glanced through my images I found that Peter had managed to sweep into the shot!