Discover Ivegill

For a trip to Ivegill, architectural history, church art, bridges and the geology of the River Ive offer a range of different themes to explore.

Christ Church and its works of art

Christ Church was built in 1868 at the sole expense of the Reverend Arthur Emilius Hulton and designed by RJ Withers. The building comprises a nave, a chancel, a south porch and a vestry. This clear layout is a good starting point for distinguishing the church’s different parts.

The east and west windows are by O’Connor of London. Their depictions show the Last Supper, the four Evangelists and four major prophets. Other windows feature floral and fruit motifs by Powell of Whitechapel. The oak carving behind the altar also stands out for its three elaborately carved panels. Together, the windows and carvings give the interior a range of distinctive design accents.

A millennium wall hanging was made in 2000 by members of the congregation and other contributors; it depicts scenes from the parish. A Peace Garden opened at the foot of the churchyard in 2011. The Old Vicarage was built in 1868 alongside nearby Christ Church. This well-preserved, carefully designed residential building, dating from around 1868, was designed by Robert Jewell Withers.

Architectural history around High Head

The 18th-century wing of High Head Castle is designated a Grade II* listed building. The gate piers and wall in front of the castle also tell the story of its construction: they date from 1744 to 1747 and are made of red sandstone ashlar with freestone details in calcareous sandstone.

West of High Head Castle, the mid-16th-century Tudor wing now stands in ruins. Surviving features include blocked-up four-light chamfered windows, window seats and fireplace recesses. These details show which elements of the building remain despite its ruined state. High Head Chapel is a private chapel belonging to High Head Castle that is no longer in use and dates to 1682. It has a five-bay nave with a chancel, as well as an open bellcote at the west end.

Another, very different structure is the High Head stone circle. The 13 stones were installed in 2006 by sculptor Brian Cowper and are aligned with the winter and summer solstices. The stone circle forms part of High Head Sculpture Valley, on a working dairy farm in Ivegill. The alignment and number of stones give the work a specific form; its connection with Sculpture Valley also places it within a broader artistic context.

Bridge and landscape along the River Ive

Wharton Bridge is a former packhorse bridge that now serves as a footbridge. It has a strikingly distinctive appearance: the narrow, humpbacked bridge has a single-span arch and a massive, irregular rubble parapet. The structure thus brings together its former use and its current function as a footbridge.

The underlying geology offers another perspective on the area. An outcrop of Penrith Sandstone lies near Ivegill on the east side of the River Ive valley. A stream exposure 400 metres east-northeast of Ivegill reveals soft, reddish-brown, cross-bedded Penrith Sandstone. The outcrop’s location and the specific exposure are two different details: the first describes the geological context in the valley, while the second identifies a particular site with a precise direction and distance.

Planning your journey and walks

The volunteer-run Fellrunner community bus serves Ivegill and offers return journeys to Penrith and Carlisle. Check the service details before travelling. This lets you include the destinations mentioned in your plans without assuming that there is a fixed timetable.

A four-mile walk passes through the surrounding farmland and starts at a small car park beside a church. The church is not identified more specifically. Before setting off, check that the car park and access are available. For guidance on public rights of way, you can consult the Westmorland and Furness Council’s interactive map; also check the map terms and conditions. Bus connections and walk planning are two practical considerations to take into account alongside the buildings and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Egremont, Scotby, Grange Over Sands, Orton, Sedbergh, Flookburgh, Rusland, Backbarrow

View the wider travel guide: Cumbria.