Ennerdale bridge

Ennerdale Bridge is the first stopping point on Wainwrights long distance coast to coast walk, walking west to east.

You can stay in the village at The Shepherds Arms, where bar meals are served or at a number of B&B's in the village, further down the valley there are two youth hostels, Gillerthwaite 4 miles, and Black Sail 8 miles. Black sail only operates in the summer months and has to be booked in writing. It was once the most remote youth hostel in England until the youth hostel in Skidaw house was opened. There is also a campsite with very basic amenities.

Ennerdale bridge no longer has a working post office the nearest shop being in Cleator Moor about 3 miles away. However the other village pub, the Fox and Hounds is a welcome watering hole which sells Real Ale and bar meals. The picture of the Fox and Hounds was taken in 1996 ish when we were cut off from the outside world for about 4 days. The brewery had just delivered to the Fox and we had a great time drinking and sledging into the wee small hours.

Opposite the Fox and Houns is St Marys Church built in 1857 on the site of an earlier chapel dating back to 1534 the vicar of the day was reputed to have been good friends with William Wordsworth, so I like to think that the great bard has enjoyed a pint in the Fox and Hounds.

Ennerdale also boasts a small Primary School which extends to two classrooms the children are taught in two 'vertically streamed' classes. The school itself is believed to date from arround 1876

You will finsd a small childrens Playground just off the main road by the bridge which has picnic tables, just beside is the nearby River Ehen which is a well known Salmon river

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