• Alston
• Allonby And Aspatria
• Ambleside And Troutbeck
• Appleby In Westmoreland
• Askam In Furness
• Barrow In Furness
• Bassenthwaite
• Borrowdale
• Bowness On Windermere
• Brough
• Buttermere
• Brampton
• Broughton In Furness
• Carlisle
• Cartmel
• Cleator Moor
• Cockermouth
• Coniston
• Dalston
• Dalton In Furness
• Dent
• Grange Over Sands
• Grasmere
• Greenodd
• Grizedale
• Hawkshead
• Kendal
• Keswick
• Kirkby Lonsdale
• Wasdale And Gosforth
• Kirkby Stephen
• Longtown
• Loweswater
• Maryport
• Melmerby
• Milnthorpe
• Nenthead
• Newby Bridge
• Orton
• Penrith
• Pooley Bridge
• Ravenglass And Eskdale
• Sedbergh
• Seascale
• Shap
• Silloth And Solway
• St Bees
• Skiddaw
• Staveley
• Tebay
• The Duddon Valley
• Threlkeld
• Ulverston
• Vale Of Lorton
• Wasdale
• Wetheral
• Whitehaven
• Wigton
• Windermere
• Workington
• Spa Hotels In Windermere The Lake District
• Hotels With Hot Tubs In Windermere
• Hot Tub Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Romantic Breaks In Windermere And The Lake District
• Themed Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Weekend Breaks In Windermere
• Windermere Attractions And Boat Trips
• Boutique Hotels And Accommodation In Windermere And The Lake District
• Windermere In The Rain
• One Way Ticket To Windermere Por Favor
• Horse Riding In The Lake District
• Walks In The Lake District
• Windermere Boutique Hotel Bedrooms
• Holiday Accommodation Wanted In The Lake District

Threlkeld

Situated in the north of the Lake District, and to the east of Keswick, Threlkeld lies at the southern base of Blencathra, which is one of the most prominent fells in the region, and to the north of the River Glenderamackin.

Threlkeld once had its own station on the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway, on the opposite side of the valley, next to the Threlkeld Quarry. The old railway line is now a cycle track and footpath. Rows of terrace houses still stand by the station, which used to be home to the quarry workers. The Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum is well worth a visit, and are situated close to the station.

The small church of St.Mary´s is situated in the village, plus two pubs – The Salutation and The Horse and Farrier.

The two communities of Threlkeld and Thirlmere are linked by the Vale of St John, and the village is overshadowed by the mass of Blencartha. The hills around Threlkeld were heavily wooded in prehistoric times, and the valley was a swamp. As with most of the villages and towns in the Lake District, the landscape altered greatly when early settlements were established.

Stretching back more than 800 years, the village history has been recorded as far back as AD900 when there was a settlement in the area near the quarry. The Romans were here from the 3rd to the 8th Centuries, but it was only when the Norse arrived that the village was given its name. Threlkeld in the Norse language means ´the well of the Thrall.´

A place of worship was first established in Threlkeld in the early 13th Century, which doubled as a school. In 1777 the old church was pulled down and a separate school was established. St Mary´s Church dates back to 1777, but it was heavily restored in 1910-11. The sanctuary is panelled in oak and the church floor is tiled. The bell tower and bells came from another church, and are thought to be at least 500 years old.

Hunting has always been a major part of Threlkeld´s history, and the area is home to the Blencathra Hunt. Traditionally in the Lake District, hunts were done on foot and not on horseback. Local pub, the Horse and Farrier, which was built in 1688, provided rest and refreshment to the foxhunters. Sheepdog trials are held each summer and include foxhound and terrier shows, plus hound training.

Tragedy struck Threlkeld in 1587 when typhus hit the village, and in 1597 and 1623, famine once again wiped out many villagers. Threlkeld was the scene of many packhorse trains and cattle and sheep droves and a stagecoach once brought travellers to the village. Threlkeld was a very remote and isolated village, and it wasn´t until the opening of the mines when outsiders started to come to the area.

Cottages were built into the hillsides to house miners, and lead and zinc was mined at Gategill Mine on nearby Blencathra in the early 1900s. Granite mining continued in the area until the 1980s.
A former granite quarry, The Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum tells the story of the mines in the region. Between 1880 and 1900, over 10,000 tons of galena and 13,400 tons of zinc were mined from Threlkeld. Up to 1,000 men were employed, and many of them walked daily from Keswick. Visitors can see original equipment from the mines and a range of locomotives and vintage excavators.

The Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway was built for carrying mining material, and was opened in 1864. Passengers were allowed to use the railway from 1865, and the Threlkeld Station closed in 1972.

Threlkeld is a walker´s paradise, and three ridges lead to the top of Blencathra from the village. To the south, Clough Head offers fantastic views, walks, quarries and a Celtic Settlement. Scales Tarn is situated on the eastern edge of the mountain and is noted for its bleak terrain.

Situated on the hillside above the village is the Blencathra Holiday Centre, which opened in 1904 as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. The fresh, clean air was supposed to aid recovery from the disease. The Blencathra Centre is now part of the Field Studies Council, and offers stunning views over St John´s Vale. The village is now most used for starting point ascents of Blencathra.

Accomodation in the Lake District and around the region of Threlkeld is plentiful, and you can book a weekend in the Lake District, a cut price late deal or bed and breakfast in Threlkeld, Windermere, Keswick, Kendal or any other part of Cumbria, by taking advantage of late online deals and offers. If you are touring the Lake District, why not stay a few days in Threlkeld, and drive down to Windermere for a trip around the largest lake in England? Whatever your requirements are, you can find perfect Lake District accommodation to suit every taste.

Home >> Places to Visit