Ivegill reveals its character through the architectural history and geology of the River Ive valley. For your planning, there are two distinct areas of interest: churches and architecture, or sandstone and landscape. The historical details range from a 19th-century church building to a former packhorse bridge; the geological perspective leads to a sandstone outcrop and a stream exposure.

Christ Church and its features

Christ Church was built in 1868 at the sole expense of Reverend Arthur Emilius Hulton and designed by RJ Withers. The building comprises a nave, chancel, south porch and vestry. The Old Vicarage was built in the same year as the nearby church. The well-preserved, carefully designed residence dates to around 1868 and was designed by Robert Jewell Withers.

In Christ Church, the east and west windows are works by O’Connor of London: they depict the Last Supper, the four Evangelists and four major prophets. Other windows, with floral and fruit-themed designs, are by Powell of Whitechapel. Behind the altar, the oak carving features three elaborately carved panels. Another part of the church’s furnishings tells the story of the community: in 2000, parishioners and other contributors made a millennium wall hanging featuring scenes from the community. The Peace Garden, opened in 2011, is located at the foot of the churchyard.

High Head: Castle, Chapel and Stone Circle

The buildings around High Head Castle date from different periods. They include the 18th-century wing, which is listed as a Grade II* building, and a Tudor wing to the west of the castle. The latter dates from the mid-16th century and is now a ruin. Its surviving features include blocked four-light chamfered windows, window seats and fireplace recesses. The gate piers and wall in front of High Head Castle add another distinct period: they date from 1744 to 1747 and are made of red sandstone ashlar with freestone details in calcareous sandstone.

High Head Chapel is a private chapel at High Head Castle that is no longer in use and dates to 1682. The High Head stone circle is a separate feature: its 13 stones were installed in 2006 by sculptor Brian Cowper and are aligned with the winter and summer solstices. The stone circle is part of High Head Sculpture Valley, on a working dairy farm in Ivegill. If you plan to visit the stone circle, check access in advance.

Bridge and landscape

Wharton Bridge is a former packhorse bridge that is now used as a footbridge. It is narrow and humped, with a single-span arch supporting a massive, irregular rubble parapet. The bridge can therefore be viewed both as a historic structure and in terms of its specific construction.

Sandstone also shapes the geological perspective on Ivegill. An outcrop of Penrith Sandstone lies on the eastern side of the River Ive valley near the village. A stream exposure 400 metres east-northeast of Ivegill shows soft, reddish-brown, cross-bedded Penrith Sandstone. The two descriptions refer to different scales: the outcrop describes the sandstone at the edge of the valley, while the stream exposure shows a specific occurrence of the rock.

Plan your trip

A four-mile route is described for a walk through the surrounding farmland, starting at a small car park beside a church. Check parking and access arrangements in advance. The Westmorland and Furness Council interactive map can help identify public rights of way; check the map’s terms before setting out.

The volunteer-run Fellrunner community bus serves Ivegill and offers return journeys to Penrith and Carlisle. Check journey details before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kirkby-In-Furness, Troutbeck, Kirkby Lonsdale, Waterhead, Holmrook, How, Mealsgate, Maryport

For the broader travel overview: Cumbria.