Beetham
Beetham is a charming limestone village of cottages and cobbled courtyards, nowadays in Cumbria, but perhaps in spirit and looks more in tune with Lancashire just a mile away, of which it would once have been part. St Michael’s and All Saints’ church in the village dates in part from the 12th century, and is notable for its medieval glass in the Lady Chapel and west tower. Saints accounted for, those of a more earthly disposition can find comfort yards away in the 16th century Wheatsheaf Inn, a place of character located by the Bela River. The Bela, a well-known trout river crossed here with a three-arched bridge, powers the 14 foot high wheel of Heron Corn Mill, built in the mid-18th century. A barn attached to the mill is now a Museum of Papermaking, an industry of importance in Beetham for more than 200 years. And what village is complete without “the big house”, here Beetham Hall, in its time a fortified stronghold, now a farm house. Follow the path up out of the village towards Beetham Fell, and take the Fairy Steps through the limestone crag. Climb them without touching the sides and the fairies will grant you a wish, honestly. With the gap about a foot in places that takes some doing though. Imagine then negotiating the steps with a coffin – this is on a corpse trail, along which coffins of those dying in villages in the surrounding hills were brought for churchyard burial.
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