Hive of industry to peaceful countryside

This is a walk through peaceful countryside just a few miles north of Great Salkeld, which you may now find it hard to believe was once a busy mining area and a village supporting the industry's needs. The walk is 3 1/2 miles and should take you between 2 to 3 hours.

No refreshment stop on this walk I’m afraid, but it’s such a peaceful ramble that it is well worth the effort to carry the flask and make your own stops.

Park the car at "Five Road Ends" grid reference NY 607423 (can't remember if there is a sign post!!) so with your back to the road leading to Busk set off along the metaled road to your right. You will soon see the village of Renwick in front of you before dropping down a steep hill to Ravenbridge Mill and of course Raven Beck which would once power the mill. Turn left at the junction crossing the beck, shortly after there is a footpath sign which directs you over 2 fields to Renwick, follow the arrows.

Once in Renwick take note of the buildings, but follow straight through until you come to the Methodist Chapel, with clock. Turn right here, up the road signed Outhwaite but as you climb the hill reflect on the fact that this peaceful village, you have just pssed through, was once a hive of mining activity – coal was the product, and the production was such that the village had a Coaching inn as well as a number of pubs and blacksmiths to service the horse drawn transport. All this gradually drew to a halt as better and cheaper coal was able to be brought in to the area with the opening of the railway in about 1880.

Peaceful though the church, in Renwick, on your left may now be, legend has it that in 1733 the church was in a poor state of repair, so the villagers club together to offer their skills and make the necessary repairs. Suddenly whilst rebuilding they were frightened by a monster, which had the body of a cockerel and the tail of a dragon, it flew up from the ruins. The Cockatice scattered the villagers except one, John Tallentire, who armed himself with a Rowan bough (Google Rowan tree and you find many fascinating facts) known to ward off devilry and witchcraft. John was able to destroy the beast and for his services to the village was granted ownership of his cottage and he and his descendants were exempt from tithes.

Walk on up the hill passing the road to Outhwaite a small display board describes the area further up the hill “The North Pennines”, we took a style about 100yds further on to our right, then walked across the fields to Outhwaite, through the farmyard, then following the footpath signs we eventually came to the small river where, the river bank affords an ideal location for lightening the flask and biscuit box, just before crossing the bridge.

Comfortably refreshed the longest uphill part of the walk takes us to Haresceugh Castle Farm and joins the road from Renwick to Hartside the summit of the A686. As you join the road turn left and follow the road for about a mile until you come to a lane on your right. Take your time up this road as on a good day there are excellent views over the Eden Valley to the Lakeland Fells. Blencathra with it's saddle ridge can be clearly picked out, Helvelyn and Sheffield Pike in the Ullswater Valley, round to the ridges of south eastern Lake District.
Selah Bridge just beyond the point from where we make a descent along a lovely old lane down to join the Gambelsby to Renwick road and the starting point. If it weren’t for the cars descending the A686 behind us, you could perhaps envisage yourself in rural England 150 years ago.