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Bailey offers a wide choice of activities and with
miles of forest trails, footpaths, bridleways and cycleways,
this peaceful haven in Cumbria is a safe and relaxing place
to explore without a car.
Walking is a great way to appreciate Bailey’s peace and quiet -
you’re more likely to encounter a deer than other walkers.
The quiet countryside provides the perfect opportunity to do
some serious birdwatching undisturbed.
There is a network of public footpaths across Bailey. Bailey also has its own waymarked nature trail - pick up a trail leaflet which highlights points of interest. A little further afield take a forest or farmland walk on one of the waymarked trails. For a more strenuous walk venture up to Christenbury Crags, so-called because of the monumental rocks sculpted by wind and morain. Magnificent views can be afforded of the Solway Estuary and the Southern Uplands of Scotland. A picnic site at Cuddy’s Hall provides an ideal place to rest and have lunch.
For those of you interested in birdwatching, the nature of farming in the area has allowed the continued presence of many declining species including barn owl, black and red grouse, lapwing, snipe, curlew and skylark.
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There are miles of quiet countryside roads through Bailey which, with only very light traffic, make for an ideal leisurely cycle. Ride through history following the hunting grounds of the notorious reivers on the Reivers Cycle Route, a spur of the Coast to Coast Cycle Route which passes through Bailey (see www.holiday-lakeland.co.uk) or take spur 1 of the Eden Valley Circular Cycle Route (www.visiteden.co.uk) which takes in Bailey, Bewcastle, Brampton and Hadrian’s Wall.
Venture off-road into the forest and follow miles of trails through the mighty Kielder Forest (contact Kielder Castle Visitor Centre – 01434 250209 for details of the Kershope and Cross Border trails).
Some accommodation providers are approved by the Cyclists Touring Club (www.ctc.org.uk) and some have bikes for hire:
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Ride the Reivers’ Debatable Lands through miles of forest trails and quite country lanes. Registered trekking centres in the area provide a variety of riding activities. Novices and more experienced riders can take rides along safe waymarked forest trails. Individual or group lessons are taken by BHS qualified staff. ‘Own a pony days’ will keep children occupied for the day, allowing parents the luxury of a rare day alone. Full board riding holidays can be tailored to suit your needs. Join the local Common Ridings and local festivals.
Bring your horse on holiday! Livery is available DIY or full. Excellent horse accommodation provided with grass turnout and paddocks. Route guides are available or escorted rides if requested. Breaking, schooling and lessons in all weather arenas.
BAILEY MILL TREKKING CENTRE
Bailey, Newcastleton
Tel: Pam Copeland 016977 48617
e-mail: pam@baileymill.fsnet.co.uk
website: www.ridingholidays.com
- Ride the Reivers’ Debatable Lands through miles of forest and quiet country lanes. Trekking: £12/hour
- Lessons: £8/ half hour
- Own a pony days: 10-4 pm inc lunch, ride and lesson
- Picnic and pub rides
- Treasure hunts and orienteering on horseback
- Livery – full or DIY
- Full board riding holidays (unaccompanied children welcome)
- Registered and inspected with TRSS
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SAUGHS FARM
Bailey, Newcastleton
Tel: Jayne Gray 016977 48346
e-mail: Kevin.graykm@btopenworld.com
website: www.ridinghols.com and
www.skylarkcottages.co.uk
Bring your own horse. Excellent facilities – all weather arena, turnout paddocks. Teaching, breaking and schooling. Livery. Breeders of Spanish horses.
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ELLINGTON STUD
Anns Hill, Roadhead, Carlisle CA6 6NN
Tel: Mrs C.L. McNally 016977 48685
e-mail: ellingtonstud@aol.com
website: www.ellingtonstud.com
I breed Welsh Cobs which I show and also sell youngstock. I also stand three stallions at local stud.
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The nearby Rivers Esk and Liddel are renowned for salmon and sea trout fishing with association and private fishing available. There are also numerous fishing lakes in the area.
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The atmosphere, history and landscape of the area will inspire you!
Maddy Prior of Steeleye Span offers weekend courses in her renovated ‘Stones Barn’. The local organic resource centre and Border Reivers Activities group also have a full calendar of art and craft activities. Get creative in the Bailey!
BORDER REIVER ACTIVITIES
Tel: 01228 577219/308
website: www.activitybreaks.net
Local group providing activities including spinning, photography and dry stone walling.
LOW LUCKENS ORGANIC RESOURCE CENTRE
Low Luckens Organics, Low Luckens, Roweltown, Carlisle CA6 6LJ
Tel: 016977 48331
e-mail: lowluckensorc@hotmail.com
website: www.lowluckensfarm.co.uk
The Centre runs an innovative and exciting variety of events. Learn the skill of making rag rugs and willow baskets. Attend a natural dye workshop or embroider the flora and fauna at an experimental embroidery workshop. Full calendar of events available upon request. Booking essential.
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STONES BARN
Roweltown, Carlisle, CA6 6LA Tel: Maddy Prior 016977 48424
e-mail: stonesbarn@hotmail.com
website: www.maddy-stonesbarn.com
Weekend courses held at Stones Barn for singing, music, painting and other arts subjects. Courses for 2004 include ‘The History of Comedy: Ventriloquism’, a wine weekend and Arthurian weekend with the ‘Brittania’ re-enactment group. Run by Maddy Prior of ‘Steeleye Span’.
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If you feel the need to explore further afield, Bailey is very close to the Lake District and is also ideally placed to tour the Borders, historic Carlisle, the Solway Firth and Hadrians Wall.
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