The best walks and hikes around Broughton

Millers Bridge, also known as Harris Bridge, is a steel pedestrian bridge over the River Derwent in Cockermouth, Cumbria, connecting the northern and southern parts of the city. The original structure was destroyed by severe flooding in 2009, and the bridge was rebuilt in 2010 with modified foundations to address changes in the riverbank caused by erosion. The reopening by HRH The Princess Royal underscored the importance of this connection to the local community. As a functional infrastructure, the bridge not only provides pedestrian access but also views of the surrounding landscape.

Wordsworth House rises majestically on Main Street in Cockermouth, a charming town on the edge of the Lake District. Built around 1745, the house reflects the understated grandeur of Georgian architecture: a perfectly symmetrical façade of sand-colored bricks, tall rectangular windows with classically framed woodwork, and an ornate yet understated doorway that evokes the sense of order and proportion characteristic of this period. The poet William Wordsmouth was born here in 1770.

Millers Bridge, as it is known in Cockermouth (official maps refer to it as Harris Bridge), was reopened in 2010 by HRH the Princess Royal after it had suffered severe damage in the 2009 floods and a section of it collapsed into the River Derwent. Part of the steel bridge had to be rebuilt to fit the new shape of the river banks, which were heavily eroded during the floods and have now been fortified.

This path starts from the compound of Lloyds Cockermouth (BMW/Mini, former Volvo), behind Aldi or from Low Road close. It is the rising section of railway built to link the Workington to Papcastle/ Low Road railway to Cockermouth Station which was the terminus for the Penrith, Keswick and Cockermouth Railway. It was always necessary to change at Cockermouth - there were never any through trains to Workington.

This is the only road bridge crossing the River Derwent in Cockermouth. This bridge, known as Gote Bridge and built in 1822 carries the A5086 between Cockermouth and Papcastle. It survived the three recent floods in The town. There is also one footbridge just 200m upstream.

Joe’s walk is a path parallel to Low Road adjacent to Fitz Park and allows safe passage for walkers and cyclists between the Laureates and Cockermouth.

William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy were both born in this house (1770 & 1771 respectively) and lived here until 1783 when their father died. The house is now maintained by the National Trust though it narrowly avoided being demolished in the 1960s and replaced by a bus depot before the residents of Cockermouth objected. Only the desk in their father’s office is the family’s original 18th century furniture but the front part of the house has genuine 18th century furniture. The garden is superbly maintained by volunteers in a style appropriate for the time.

St Bridget’s Church is in the village of Brigham, Cumbria, just outside Cockermouth. It was originally the parish church for Brigham Parish which included Cockermouth and much of the Lorton Vale. The current church dates from the 11th century but there has been a church on this site since about 500AD.