A Year in the Life of the Eden Valley

The River Eden runs for 75 miles, from its source high above the Mallerstang Dale to the magnificent wide expanses of the Solway Firth. The surrounding landscape, the broad sweep of the Eden Valley, contains some of the finest scenery in northern England yet it is little known, all the attention going to the neighbouring Lake District.



This tranquil and unspoilt area has a turbulent history. A line of fine Norman castles, fortified churches and pele towers helped to protect the populace from the frequent Scots border raids. Most of the attractive red sandstone villages date from the more peaceful times of the seventeenth century. Cross Fell, the highest point of the Pennines, soars majestically over the valley, while the curiously pointed cones of the Dufton and Knock Pikes speak of the interesting geological history. Downstream from Appleby the Eden flows through pastoral settings, sometimes through more turbulent stretches. In these it cuts deeply through eroded rich red sandstone cliffs, where hermits' caves, strange carvings and inscriptions can be found sculpted in the soft rock. The weirs, rapids and long pools provide renowned salmon and trout fishing.



Award-winning photographer Val Corbett captures the beauty of this landscape through the seasons.