Caldbeck cottages

Holidays in Caldbeck

Caldbeck Cottages

Sitting beneath the Northern Fells or the 'Back O' Skidda' as the locals call it, Caldbeck offers a quieter way to experience the Lake District, with riverside walks, historic mills and easy access to fells including Skiddaw, Blencathra and High Pike. Almost equidistant from Cockermouth, Keswick, Penrith and Carlisle, Caldbeck is ideally placed for visiting Cumbrian market towns or spending a day on the water.

Explore waterfalls and riverside trails, browse independent shops and artisan workshops, or unwind in a traditional village pub, the Oddfellow Arms after a day on the fells.  

Less crowded than many Lake District hotspots, a Caldbeck cottage is the perfect base if you’re after a relaxing escape, in the quieter side of the Lake District National Park.

Why visit Caldbeck

Named after the Cald Beck river that flows through its centre, Caldbeck is full of character and has a fascinating industrial heritage dating back centuries that you can still see today. Mines, woollen mills and bobbin mills were all an important part of the Caldbeck community, and many of these fascinating old buildings are still in use today. The locals take great pride in their lovely village and have a very active resident community where visitors are always welcome to join in. Local activities include bowls, cricket, tennis, guided walks and hound trailing.

The surrounding fells and woodlands of Caldbeck are easily accessible on foot and there are many signed footpaths. Just up from the village duck pond (situated in an old clay dubs), is a popular short walk that follows the river up The Howk, a limestone gorge containing beautiful waterfalls and the picturesque ruins of the old bobbin mill. The bobbin mill once had the largest waterwheel in the country, at 3 feet wide, and 42 feet in diameter.

Visitors can also explore the Priest's Mill, a restored water mill that’s home to artisan workshops, local crafts, The Watermill riverside café and The Wool Clip, a cooperative showcasing traditional wool products made using local Herdwick fleece.

The neighbouring village of Hesket Newmarket, 1.5 miles southeast of Caldbeck, is well worth visiting too. It has a fine wide main street with many 18th-century houses and a central market cross on the well-kept village green. The villages also boast a chapel, a pond, a brewery and a well-known traditional pub, The Old Crown, that serves unique real ales from the Hesket Newmarket Brewery

Find your perfect Caldbeck cottage

From cosy cottages for two to spacious family retreats and dog-friendly properties, discover your ideal base in Caldbeck for exploring the Northern Lakes. Book your Caldbeck holiday home today and discover one of most peaceful corners of the Lake District National Park.