Orton is surrounded by the Howgill Fells to the south, the Lake District to the east, the Crosby Garrett Fells to the west and Orton Scar to the north. Orton Scar is a prominent limestone escarpment. Streams flow through the village, crossed by bridges and stepping stones. The landscape and village can therefore be viewed on two scales: the fells and the Scar frame Orton from the outside, while the crossings over the streams are part of the village scene.

Walking between the village and Orton Scar

The Wainwrights ‘Coast to Coast’ walk passes through Orton. Walking routes from Orton lead across Orton Scar, where deep rock crevices are home to ferns and wildflowers. These are different points of reference for planning a walk: one route passes through the village, while other paths cross the prominent limestone escarpment. You can decide whether to consider Orton in connection with the Coast to Coast or focus on the paths across the Scar and its distinctive landscape.

History on the Scar

The village’s history is also connected to Orton Scar. Castle Folds is a small fort and wall behind the Scar, built to shelter livestock during Scottish raids. A monument on Orton Scar marks the site of a beacon lit on 21 June 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The two sites represent different historical contexts: Castle Folds is about protecting livestock, while the beacon commemorated the Queen.

Church, halls and stone circle

All Saints Church was built in 1293. Its square tower dates from the early 16th century and is finished with white lime plaster. The church and tower therefore belong to different building phases; the date 1293 does not also date the tower. The halls offer their own architectural points of interest: Petty Hall is an Elizabethan building in Orton, while Orton Hall was built in 1662. These dates can be distinguished, rather than reducing the village’s building history to a single period.

The Gamelands embanked stone circle extends the cultural points of interest beyond the buildings. It is a Scheduled Monument and the only fully preserved example of an embanked stone circle in Cumbria. Unlike the church and halls, the focus here is a stone circle distinguished by its place among examples in the county.

Local produce and crafts

The Orton Farmers’ Market offers local, seasonal food and drink, as well as locally made arts and crafts. Food products and crafts sit side by side, complementing the walking and history themes with a distinct perspective on local produce. As you explore Orton, you can consider food and crafts as travel interests alongside the landscape and buildings.

Discover more destinations: Lowick, Skinburness, Chapel Stile, Brampton, Mealsgate, Gamblesby, Dufton, Cleator

For the main travel overview: Cumbria.