'Below the castle rock of Westmorland's elegant old county town, this giant of a ford takes the bold motorist across the River Eden. It's fully sixty paced yards across, and is well over a foot deep on the east side, where a made-up rocks and clay bottom can be seen from the Jubilee footbridge; further over, the bottom cannot be discerned. Not recommended for ordinary cars, a local assured me, even in summer. No signs.'

The east entry ramp is nice and smooth, but the west next to the castle is a very steep mud ramp with lare ruts, you'd never get a car up it. The river is about 2 1/2 foot deep in summer on the west side, but soon levels of to about 1 1/2 foot, gradually leading upto the east ramp. The river can soon become high with rain. If you can get past the deep part you'll be fine.' Simon Maltby

A tidal Byway Open to All Traffic just below the high water mark immediately south of Askam in Furness, between SD200759 and SD208773. It forms part of the Cumbria Coast Way. How often it is covered by water, I have no idea. Incidentally, Duddon Sands, immediately to the north, are crisscrossed by five bridleways (which of course are also cycling rights of way). These are presumably the ancient packhorse routes. They are: Askam - Millom, Dunnerholme - Foxfield, Kirby - The Hill, Kirby - Green Road and Kirby - Angerton. I imagine, though, that it is pretty questionable how much users kept (or keep) to these routes - they must surely have just headed for wherever they wanted to go?

The road is most often used at the Askham end for easy access to the beach, aswell as being the main road used by the Inshore Rescue boat for launches. The road sweeps along the beach south to Roanhead - the exit point can be a little hard to spot amongst the sand dunes, so I would recommend anyone wanting to drive it to go from Roanhead north to Askham. The sand is generally firm at the lower points, but you can get bogged down in the dry sand at Askham Pier under the bridge (as seen in the pic). I have been tractors and quad-bikes bogged down in the dry sand.

The pictures are: Image 1: Roanhead - track off the beach with a small stream ford. Image 2: Roanhead looking north along the shore towards Askham Image 3: Askham looking south towards Roanhead Image 4: The bridge for the tidal road over Askham Pier. Image 5: The track up to the road at Askham Lifeboat Station. Image 6: The view from the pier bridge looking south to Roanhead Image 7: The view from the pier bridge looking north to the lifeboat station.

Just to the South, the Widows path crossed to Walney at low tide, bypassing the ferry, before the Jubilee Bridge was built (Images 8 & 9).'

'This is a deep crossing of the River Petteril. It has a natural stony base. There are tarmac approach roads signed “Unsuitable for Motors”.'

'This is quite a shallow but rather a rough crossing of a stream. Its main purpose seems to be to give a farmer access to a field. The public way slanting uphill has become little more than a path.'

'This irish bridge ford on the Barbon Beck is found beside Beckfoot Farm close to Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club. There is an impressive packhorse bridge adjacent to the ford.'

'A rough ford through the River Eden links the B6259 with a byway. It was about 8 inches deep and 25 yards wide when visited and is easily accessible from the unfenced B-road. The track to the south is rather boggy until it joins the byway.'

'This ford is on an unsurfaced Byway open to All Traffic (BOAT) called Breasthigh Road, which leaves the A6 between Kendal & Shap & heads eastwards over the high fells towards Tebay. The ford can be clearly seen from the A6. It is about 4 or 5 vehicles length across & the bed is made of large boulders which makes for a rough, bumpy crossing. On the day we visited, it had been raining heavily the night before & the river was swollen & fast flowing, causing a few scary moments as the force of the water pushed us off course. The gate on the eastern side of the ford opens towards the river which means that you have to stop partially in the water in order to open or close the gate.'

'A pretty little ford I'd guess at around 2m wide, on a green lane type road. On this visit it was around 8 inches deep and has an uneven gravel bottom piled up into banks, there is a wooden sign declaring the road as a bridleway to several villages.'

'The rough byway (and public bridleway) to Dufton winds down through a wood to leave this peaceful village through a gravel ford about 18in deep and 25ft across; 4x4s only. Footbridge 50yds to SE. No signs'

'This is on a public byway near the derelict farmstead of Bretherdale Head. The tarmac road extends almost as far as the ford from the south. However, vehicular access beyond the ford is restricted due to a narrow gateway. The ford itself is rough and stony and about five inches deep.'

'Ugly and now redundant thanks to the replacement bridge, this is not one to go out of your way for. Composed of 4 or 5 10' by 8' concrete slabs one of which has broken in several places. 4 inches deep (about 1 ft. in the cracks) and 2 to 6 yards wide depending on the weather.

The yellow road north from Gilsland takes you into some of England's remotest and most mysterious country, passing the chilling, once ultra-secret Spadeadam missile test centre, built at the height of the Cold War to test the aborted Blue Streak, and on into the huge Kielder Forest complex. Before you get there, you cross Butterburn ford, traffic within the 12 tonne weight limit can cross the bridge alongside.'

'This is in a beautiful location on Caldbeck Common on the north-eastern edge of the Lake District. It is generally on a couple of inches deep. There are warning signs and a footbridge.'

This one looks a rough ride, I got enough funny looks off the locals as soon as I ventured near the level crossing leading to the byway on the Cark side (Image 1). The gate was strongly padlocked on this visit so maybe one for investigation!

Details sent in by Andy Daintree 'I have not driven this route but I have walked it. The eastern end is over some dunes/grass tussocks and while drivable would require some form of sand ladders and possibly winching equipment as the road is not easily seen and is possible to miss. the Western end has no problems. On the day I walked it I saw a number of tractors running over the sands. A point of note is that the island half way along the route used to house some monks and the ruins of their chapel is still there.'

Link to geograph

'This ford (or wath) is on the old road between the hamlets of Longlands and Green Head. It is shallow which is just as well as there’s no footbridge.'

'There are a couple of small fords in Cliburn. The first is on a farm track with a bridge for the footpath, the second is simply access to fields.'

Geograph Link

Crosby Garrett (x2!)

'The little watersplash at the top of this village, in the shadow of the viaduct of the famous Settle-Carlisle railway, joins up the pair of roadways that run either side of the beck, together forming the main street. (Image 1)

Secondly, At the bottom of the village, a small ford carries a short link road through the same beck. (Image 2)'

Crosby Ravensworth (x2!)

Link to geograph
Link to geograph

'This is the ford on the Cumwhitton Beck at Cumwhitton.'

Dodgsontown (x2!)

'The main ford, crossing the Black Lyne, is a fine specimen in an attractive setting, 20m across and 2.5in deep, with a bottom of patterned concrete. Ford signs, remains of a depth gauge. I did not visit the footbridge marked on the OS map, 100m upstream. (Image 1)

A few yards up the western slope, the road crosses a small, similarly surfaced Irish bridge. (Image 2)'

'Drigg is strictly nutter only status, silted up, brackish water and no signs of recent use - I wouldn't even try it in a landy unless I didn't give a hoot for its metal work and had 2 other motors to get it out again.'

'South side is muddy but possible to get down too. Coming out onto the North bank the mud and silt is very sticky and about 18”- 2 feet deep . Below the mud it is a hard surface. You will get stuck and need a winch and at least 2 vehicles to winch from as nothing to winch off. Not recommended on your own and if you get stuck and the tide comes in you may damage your vehicle.' Stu Pickering

'A lovely ford on an attractive lane winding through the Shap foothills, next to a traditional hill farm. Concrete bottom with about 3in of water, about 25ft across, wooden footbridge, no signs.'

Link to geograph

'Now a flat concrete affair some 22m. by 4m., this ford will be dry in anything other than torrential weather. Approached by a gravel track at both ends, you are advised to use the western side to view it - the long 20 percent gravel climb to the east will test even the hardiest of off-roaders.'

'This is on an unsurfaced but motorable road. The stream crosses the road diagonally and spreads out so that it stretches for about 20 yards. The depth is as much as eight inches but varies due to the uneven road surface. The base is smooth and consists of silt and small stones.'

'This ford is found opposite Great Asby Hall on the Asby Beck.'

'This irish bridge ford on the Green's Burn is found at Greensburn.'

'It's near the beginning of the "old coach road", a 5 mile unsurfaced public highway that takes you through the mountains. The ford was only a couple of inches deep when we visited so only rates as 1* for difficulty but certainly 5* for the setting. The ford was traversable in any motor, the lane is a bit potholed and stony. I've done it in the past in an Astra but a 4x4 is more suitable. It is a fabulous route and can safely be driven by the most novice greenlaner. Avoid February - May due to the lambing season.'

Details sent in by Kevin Parkes:
'Just before the "village" there is a fork off to the left into a wooded area. The fork is of rough stone, but was obviously a proper road at one time, because there are concrete post & iron tube crash barriers down to the river. The track drops steeply down into the Ford which is about 6 " deep (April). I would say that this fords is 4x4 country only - not due to the depth of water, but due to the slope of the bank. There is a wooden footbridge. The track then rises out of the river and after about 30ft the track peters out into a footpath for approx 50ft through hedgerows, then back into a proper tarmac roadway, which goes back to A65. The hedgerows have obviously been allowed to overgrow by locals trying to deter traffic. Studying the treeline it can be seen that the track is indeed a road, but without the hedges being trimmed this is a ford that can only be crossed, then turn straight around and back again.'

'Although the road either side is public asphalt, this ford is not recommended for ordinary cars except at very low water levels; at the time of our visit, it was about 2ft deep and 30ft across, although it is reckoned to be a little shallower close to the stepping stones. No signs or footbridge, but you can chance the big rough stepping stones. Worth a visit for the setting.'

'Irish bridge on twisty section of road, with steep descent from south-east. Footbridge.'

'This ford on the River Ellen is found at Ireby.'

'Stone sets. Has an old depth post with painted calibration marks in metric!'

'A splendid concrete-bottomed ford in a lovely setting by a traditional white cottage below cliffs. About 35ft across and 4-6in deep; ford signs, footbridge. A lovely spot to visit.'

'Close to the centre of this attractive old Westmorland market town lies Frank's Bridge, an old narrow stone pack horse bridge across the River Eden. Alongside it is evidence of the ancient ford that took wheeled carts across: a roadway to the river bank on the town side (in the image, occupied by a Land Rover just visible), now ending in a retaining wall; and a rough ramp into the river facing it.'

'A delightful lane of tarmac "three-ply" (two asphalt strips with grass in the middle) takes one to this charming concrete-bottomed ford. It's about 25ft across, and was carrying 6in of water on our January visit, but no doubt it's much more benign in summer. Footbridge, no signs. This is one of at least three good fords across the intriguingly named Scandal Beck (the others being Smardale and Soulby).'

'The byway from Stang end to Little Langdale crosses this ford which we found to be approx 1' deep (in late may). The ford is over 100 feet long, turns a corner and runs over a bed of rocks, some of which are as big as footballs. The riverbed isn't too slippy but has quite a steep climb to the south.'

Details by David Goode:
'This ford can only be used from the south because unless you are a resident access from Little Langdale is prohibited for motor vehicles. There is a good stone track from the south (SD317018) or tarmac from the A593 at SD329022 but not from the west except motorcycles. There is a reasonable bed avoiding the big rocks if you use the right route which is not the most obvious one closest to the footbridge.

Further details by Phil Gregson:
'The ford now has a TRO at the South end as well - there is an official 'no motor vehicles except for access' sign right by the ford. This means that it is now not permitted to cross this ford in either direction. I have yet to establish a reason for this.'

'A bit bumpy for a car!'

'Four lengthy stretches of the road between Longburgh in the east and Bowness-on-Solway in the west may be flooded by the sea at very high tides, even though the water appears to lie some distance away across grass, in normal conditions. The road is part of the Hadrian's Wall Path and Cumbria Coastal Way.

There are plenty of helpful warning signs (see images). Although the road stretches from NY306591 to NY270597, both images were taken at NY295593, the first looking back towards Longburgh over the first stretch of tidal road, the second looking westwards over the second stretch. Wanted: a photograph with the sea across the road!'

'Although it is signposted as tidal, as the vegetation in the images suggests this road only gets flooded by exceptional tides. The normal tidal limit (as marked by OS) is several hundred metres further out along most of the road's length, hence OS do not mark the road as tidal. There are some very dangerous quicksands in the marshes and sand flats North of the road.' Jon Swan

Low Dovengill (x2!)

'Image 1 shows the first section of two fords on the byway which joins the high and low road at Fell End. This stretch of the stream runs along the byway for 30 metres or so. There is a walkway alongside the track and a second ford close to the main road opposite the church. Image 2 shows the second element of the fords on the byway at Fell End.'

'It’s on a rough byway. The ford itself is not too rough or deep. There is a footbridge.'

Mallerstang (x4!)

'There are several fords marked on the OS 1:25000 map on a byway (Lady Ann’s Way) that leaves the B6259 to climb up the eastern side of Mallerstang Common. Their locations aren’t quite indicated precisely though. Firstly, there is a rather rough but shallow crossing of a stream (Image 1). Secondly, there is a simple and new-looking Irish bridge (Image 2). This is quickly followed by an identical one (Image 3). Lastly, there is another proper ford (Image 4) much like the first one. The surface of the byway is excellent except in the vicinity of the two proper fords where a vehicle with good ground clearance would be required.'

'At the end of the cul-de-sac that leads into the village is this good-quality shallow concrete ford. The way continues as a bridleway so any motor vehicles would have to turn around immediately after the ford.'

A very picturesque ford situated in the middle of the village of Morland. A shallow depth (about 6") makes for a tame crossing. Watch out for the ducks. Setted access, concrete bottom and white footbridge.

'Best approached from the east bank, Stone set slip way has been washed away at the bottom creating a 6 inch step. The river bed is large rocks and 18 inches deep with a silt exit. There is also a footbridge, We did not cross it this time as we we're on our own.'

'This is a short crossing with a pebble river bed with some larger stones, the entry and exit roads could be slippery in the wet. Not suitable for all vehicles.'

'The tidal road at Newbiggin crosses the Esk Estuary to Ravenglass. From the road at Newbiggin it plunges through the muddy depths of the Esk and then along side the tidal riverbank following it round to the beach at Ravenglass where it becomes Main Street at the large tidal flood gate. While the crossing is mud, the river bank track is actually made from packed gravel and coarse cloth to try and maintain some structure.'

'The tide also actually covers the lane from which the tidal road departs (worthy of an entry in it;s own right!?). It is only the bit that goes under the railway, but there is a warning sign about high tides etc and also the water depth indicator.'

'The tidal road is about a mile long, with the ford at the Southern end. Most of it runs along the foreshore just below the high water mark. It is accessed at the Southern end via the ford over the Esk which remains in water at all tides, at the Northern end from the end of Ravenglass High Street, and is also joined by an access track and some public footpaths along it's length. There are only occasional traces of a built road along the foreshore. Some odd bits appear to have been tarmaced in the past but this is now largely eroded. The OS shows another tidal ford half a mile upstream from Newbiggin, where a bridleway is shown crossing the tidal Esk at Hall Waberthwaite.'Jonathan Gurney

'This deep ford lies where an unsurfaced but public and motorable road rejoins the yellow road half a mile south of Great Ormside. About 40ft across and a foot deep; concrete ramps, gravel bottom, no signs. There's a footbridge about 50yds upstream, which is a blessing if you don't fancy the rugged stepping stones.'

'Small Irish bridge paved in patterned concrete.'

'This is a rough and deep ford adjacent to a road bridge but clearly still in use by some vehicles.'

'It easy to find right next to the main road, This ford is marked as a bridleway on the map, but it seems to be used regularly by vehicles judging by the number of tyre tracks going across it (needs to be checked on the definitive map). It is a shallow river crossing made up of a pebble/shall river bed mostly firm though a 4x4 is recommended due to some softer areas.'

'This is a shallow concrete ford on a private forest road.'

'Located on a road which soon gives way to a rough track, much used by cyclists on the coast-to-coast route, and with a tarmaced approach at both ends, this setted ford measures 5m. in length by 4m. wide, and is only a matter of inches deep.'

'The tidal road at Ravenglass leads from main road next to the railway bridge across the River Mite. It then follows along the side of the estuary to Saltcoats where the road is covered at high tides. The crossing of the Mite is marked with posts (which boats sometimes use for moorings).

While the Saltcoats side leading up to the cross is packed gravel, the actual crossing is mainly sand and mud.'

'This is a tidal road fording the estury of the River Mite, connecting the village High Street to a unsurfaced road leading to Saltcoats. At high tide the channel is several feet deep at the centre, but at low tide the remaining freshwater stream is shallow. When I visited it was about 10cm deep and I waded across in hiking boots without getting wet feet.

The stream bed itself was composed of firm sand and stones. The foreshore approach on the northern side was also firm, but on the south side (the village side) it was fairly soft sand. It was easy to walk through but a 2WD car might suffer wheelspin. Tyre marks suggested that several vehicles had crossed the ford since the last high tide.

This is part of a series of tidal roads. Carrying on north from here will lead to Drigg tidal ford (q.v.) and carrying on down Ravenglass High Street will lead to the tidal road to Newbiggin (q.v.).'Jonathan Gurney

'This ford on the Scandal Beck is found at Ravenstonedale at the entrance to the Sewage Treatment Works.'

Rawney (x2!)

'Two first class fords on a narrow and heavily gated tarred road that also crosses Park Irish bridge (see above). Both have crisscross-patterned concrete bottoms, Ford signs and footbridges. The westerly (Image 1 mouseover sent in by Darren Moore showing the intrepid crossing of Steven Sharp) is the bigger, at 10m across and 2.5in deep. The eastern one (Image 2) is 8m across and 2in deep, and has a fine vintage depth gauge (Image 3)'

'On green ORPA on edge of Eden Valley village. 5m across, 2in deep, good gravel bottom. Two footbridges - the one shown in the image and a stone lintel against the bottom of a wall opposite. Best approach is from the SE.'

'The ford is situated half way along an unsurafced road (byway). Two elements to it, Image 1 shows the first shallow crossing on a gravel bed, you can make a track out through the trees in the centre of the river which leads to the second crossing which is the main river channel. This is usually deep and passable only in a 4x4 (Image 2). We went through last weekend and it was at bonnet height in a lifted discovery and that was after a week of no rain, becomes in-passable following heavy rain.'

NOTE: This ford will have a TRO applied which will run each year from the 1st October to the 1st of March: Apparently for fish spawning season Andrew Fell & Tigger

'Just below the spectacular (and popular) waterfall of Rutter Force and its watermill is this splendid concrete-bottomed ford, about 40ft across and 6in deep in winter (no doubt less in summer). Footbridge. The white road to Haybanks is public and, although unsurfaced, is perfectly motorable.'

'This ford is found on the Birk Beck at Scout Green.'

'This ford is at the end of a tarmac lane to the south of the village. The continuation is only designated as a footpath though. The depth is about 4 inches and the width is about 18 yards. The base is quite smooth, composed of relatively small stones. The main hazard is a concrete kerb on the eastern side. Some stepping-stones are alongside.'

'On the quiet country road between the villages of Smardale and Crosby Garrett, it is a delight to drop down to this attractive ford, whose trickily curved concrete base may test drivers' skill when the water is up. About 3in of water when the photos were taken in January, so should be easy in summer. About 20ft across; footbridge; no signs (but mentioned on signpost before Smardale village).'

'An Irish bridge with a footbridge set back in the trees.'

'A rough public byway at the edge of the village takes farm traffic through this ford, about 2ft deep and 30ft across. Big coarse stepping stones for the braver walker. No signs.'

Details sent in by Kevin Parkes:
'At the centre of the "village" there is a sharp right turn into the river in front of a humpback stone footbridge (very picturesque). I had to do a 3point turn to line up for the crossing. There is an unwelcome manhole cover that sticks proud of the concrete ramp, then on to the Ford, which is on a concrete bottom. The river is about 20ft wide & 3" deep April. The exit is rough concrete round the back of a farmhouse and on to a road consisting of two strips of tarmac with grass up the middle. Short but sweet entertainment.'

The Breakings (x2!)

'The more northerly ford (Image 1) is a broad Irish bridge, with footbridge out of sight to the right of the picture, part of a reasonably well surfaced green lane from Low Todholes to Roanstrees.

The second is a complete contrast. The green lane from the west is passable by car with care, but the ford itself is definitely a 4x4 job, running up the roughish rocky stream bed for about 30m. Both ramps are muddy and somewhat overgrown; clearly, not much traffic comes this way. Image 2 is looking up the stream from just below the entry point. There's a footbridge about 100m further north, close to the Irish bridge, partly visible in Image 1.'

'It is a good 50m long, diagonally across the river Eamont. I waded across it; the bottom is firm pebbles and the depth varies from ankle to knee. Too deep for my Freelander, but should be no problem for a Defender. The approach from the south is a BOAT (U3194). The approach from the north is a tarmac UCR (U3065). My OS 1:25000 map appears to show a right of way across the river, however a post-and-wire fence has been erected at each riverbank, so someone would need to check access rights with the RoW Officer at Cumbria Council.

Not a particularly good Image, but as you can see, the heavens opened when I was halfway across. The entrance is behind the reeds in the centre of the photo. The opposite bank looks almost identical.'

'Gentle sloped concrete ramps and carrying 14 inches of water (after rainfall) the ford leads on to a track to some allotments'

'This was about a foot deep on my visit with very fast moving water. The concrete ramp only extends a short distance and then abruptly ends with an 8-inch step down to the riverbed. The base is rough and stony. There is a footbridge alongside but the ford seems very seldom used.'

Details by Steve Howarth:
'This is a pleasant and well maintained ford with a setted bottom, whose 10 yard width and 6 inch depth should prevent no difficulty for any vehicle. The adjacent footbridge and weir provide additional interest.'

'This is on an unmade lane between two farms on the outskirts of the town. It is about a foot deep with a soft muddy base.'

Link to geograph

'Winster Ford was often used on rallies in the 60s/early 70s. There is a tarmac to concrete entry, with a base of stone sets. The ford is usually fairly deep and cars could get out of shape, particularly when entering from the west, down Birks Brow. The image also shows the interesting footbridge on the southern side of the ford.' Peter Ward

'This is a classic ford which crosses the River Eden just north of Kirby Stephen. It is on an unsurfaced Byway Open to All Traffic between the villages of Soulby & Winton. The approach & exit ramps to the ford are steep & narrow & the bonnet of any 4x4 will usually dissapear under the water on entry. There is a gravel bank halfway accross the ford (as shown on the photo) & if you can't see this then it will probably be too deep to cross. A footbridge crosses the river on the downsteam side of the ford.'