River Glenderamackin

The River Glenderamackin is a small watercourse in Cumbria. It begins on Mungrisdale Common north of Blencathra and flows east, then north, before turning south near the village of Mungrisdale. The river curves around the bottom of Souther Fell and continues past Threlkeld. At Threlkeld it joins St John’s Beck to form the River Greta. The Glenderamackin is one of the Greta’s headstreams, draining much of the mountain’s eastern and southern slopes. The name Glenderamackin comes from Brythonic and means ‘the river valley of the pig’. This is echoed in the name Mungrisdale, which has the same meaning in Old Norse. Early spellings such as Glenermakan appear in records from 1278. By 1777 the river was called Glendermakin, and in 1778 it was recorded as Glendermackin-beck. The ‘glendera’ element also appears in Glenderaterra Beck, another nearby tributary. Walkers can follow the river’s course from its source on Mungrisdale Common. The path passes the village of Mungrisdale and skirts Souther Fell. Near Wolt Bridge the Trout Beck joins the Glenderamackin, and at Dobson’s Bridge it is swollen by Mosedale Beck. The scenery includes open moorland, farmland and views of Blencathra and Souther Fell. The river’s gentle bends and clear waters make it a quiet spot for a short walk or a pause by the water.