River Lyne

The River Lyne rises in the remote north-east of Cumbria near the Scottish and Northumberland borders. It begins where two streams, the Black Lyne and the White Lyne, meet just west of Bewcastle. Both streams start in Kershope Forest on high moorland called Blacklyne Common and Whitelyne Common. The Black Lyne flows down from the north while the White Lyne comes from the north-east. Their meeting point lies five miles west of the small hamlet of Stapleton. From this junction the river flows west-by-south-west across open countryside. It passes through quiet farmland and heather moor before reaching the village of Lynefoot. At Lynefoot the river joins the Border Esk, a larger river that marks part of the England-Scotland boundary. The whole course covers roughly twenty miles of gentle valley and rolling hills. Visitors can walk along quiet lanes and field paths beside the river. The upper reaches near Stapleton offer wide views over heather moor and rough grazing land. Lower down, near Lynefoot, the river runs through enclosed pasture and small woodlands. The Border Esk junction is a peaceful spot where the two rivers merge. The area is little visited, so the riverbanks remain quiet and unspoilt.