Swindale Beck

Swindale Beck is a river in Shap Rural parish of Cumbria, near Haweswater. It begins at Swindale Head where Mosedale Beck and Hobgrumble Beck join. The stream flows north-east through Swindale and meets the River Lowther near Rosgill between Shap and Bampton. Its waters travel via the River Eamont and River Eden into the Solway Firth. The landscape around the beck is open fells and rough grazing land. The beck was straightened in 1859 to clear land for grazing. In 2016, 750 metres of straightened channel was replaced with 890 metres of a new winding course. This reconnected the stream to its floodplain and improved its diversity. The project was part of wider Cumbria river restoration work. In 2022, this work won the European River Prize from the International River Foundation. Visitors find a small river winding through quiet countryside. The restored channel now curves naturally across the valley floor. Wildlife has returned to the floodplain and surrounding fells. The area remains peaceful with few visitors. Walkers can follow paths along the beck or explore nearby Haweswater. The landscape offers open views of fells and rough pasture.