Gleaston brings together three distinct interests: medieval architecture, milling tradition and cycling. The Castle lies just above the valley floor, through which the Gleaston Beck flows; significant medieval remains are also preserved there. Gleaston Water Mill represents a long-standing local tradition. Two cycling routes include the village in their itineraries, but with different points of reference. You can decide whether castle architecture, milling technology or a cycling route is what draws you to Gleaston.
Gleaston Castle and its architectural history
The Castle is listed as a Grade I building. It consists of a quadrangular enclosure with a stone curtain wall; originally, a square stone tower stood at each corner. Ruins of three of the four corner towers remain. The north-western tower particularly clearly combines its state of preservation with its height: despite being in ruins, it still stands up to 12 metres high. The quadrangular shape describes the layout of the site, the curtain wall its stone perimeter, and the tower remains the surviving parts of the original structure.
Construction is thought to have begun in the second half of the 13th century under its owner, Sir John de Harrington. From 1458, Gleaston Castle was no longer a manor house residence and subsequently fell into rapid decline. The presumed start of construction and the later change in use thus belong to different phases in the castle’s history: the initial dating remains tentative, while the end of its function as a manor house and the subsequent decline are placed in a specific period.
Gleaston’s milling tradition
Gleaston Water Mill adds milling technology to the area’s historical highlights. It has been part of the local tradition for more than 400 years and features an 18-foot waterwheel and working mill machinery. The wheel’s measurement provides a specific technical point of reference, while the machinery adds further details about the mill. Together with its long tradition, these features present a picture ranging from an individual component to its historical context. The mill foregrounds the technical side of local history, while the Castle is described primarily through its layout, curtain wall and towers.
Cycling: two different routes
The Tour de Furness passes through Gleaston and directs cyclists along Guards Road towards Scales and Gleaston Water Mill. The Bay Cycle Way (NCN 700) is a relatively flat route along quiet roads, greenways, canal paths and promenades. It runs inland through Leece and Dendron, then past Gleaston Water Mill. The routes therefore differ both in their waypoints and in the types of paths described.
These differences offer practical points of reference when choosing a route: if you are looking for a relatively flat ride and a variety of path types, the Bay Cycle Way offers those features. If you want to head towards Scales, you can use Guards Road and the destinations named along the Tour de Furness as your guide. The place names help with navigation on each route, while the path types and route characteristics describe the kind of cycling experience to expect.
Local cuisine
The licensed café-restaurant The Dusty Miller serves homemade hot and cold dishes made with local produce. Alongside architecture and cycling, this gives you a specific dining option to consider when planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Staveley, Askham, Stapleton, Bampton, Westward, Shap, Lowick, Patterdale.
Return to the main travel overview: Cumbria.
