Orton offers access to a wide variety of Cumbrian walks ranging from easy country strolls to energetic ascents of high Lake District fells. Staying at Richmond cottage can provide you with an ideal walking holiday for walks in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales.

From your door you have a network of rural footpaths through fields, woods and pastures up onto Orton Scar and Great Asby Fell, a Nature Reserve, with the most extensive group of limestone pavements in Britain outside Ingleborough. You can take in prehistoric settlements and the Gamelands Stone Circle or go a little further to Sunbiggin Tarn, where a second Nature Reserve has been created to protect migrating birds.

Two miles away are the Howgill Fells for peaceful walking away from the crowds – one of Wainwright’s favourite areas.

Haweswater Lake is the nearest point of access to the Lakeland Fells; twenty minutes drive from Orton. This picturesque lake, where eagles still nest, has short walks and picnic sites in abundance as well as giving access to High Street with some of the best horseshoe walks in the Lake District. From the top unfolds a panoramic view of the Lakeland Fells. Drive a little further and you have all the Lakeland fells and lakes to chose from. In the opposite direction are the Yorkshire Dales and High Pennines – all within easy reach.

For those who prefer a walk with historic interest try walking part of Lady Annes’s highway – a route from Broom Castle in Penrith to Skipton via Appleby. The route is named after Lady Anne Clifford who is buried in Appleby. En route you you can see sculptures from the Eden Benchmarks by Andy Goldsworthy

Other Activities

Motor circuits - Orton’s position makes it the ideal central point for tours by car into the Lakes and Dales with fabulous scenery, interesting houses and gardens to visit.

Cycling - The quiet, open country lanes offer a number of interesting cycling circuits. A bike shed is available for visitors to store bikes.

Further information on Cumbrian walks, cycle rides and motoring circuits are available in the apartment.