Not every visitor discovers Brampton from a hotel room or holiday cottage. Some arrive with a tent, a pair of walking boots and a desire to experience Cumbria at its most peaceful.

Surrounded by open countryside and within easy reach of some of the area's finest walking routes, Coombe Crag campsite has become a popular base for those looking to explore North Cumbria beyond the usual tourist trail. What makes Coombe Crag particularly special, however, is the attention given to the little details that make a stay memorable.

For walkers exploring the area, cyclists passing through, or visitors looking to discover a different side of Cumbria, Coombe Crag Camping provides more than just a place to pitch a tent. The campsite has developed thoughtful touches that reflect the character of the business and the people behind it. An honesty Snack Shed welcomes both campers and walkers, while its own dedicated bus stop, served by Reays Coaches, makes it possible to arrive and explore without relying entirely on the car.

It is businesses like this that help shape the visitor experience in and around Brampton. Not through grand attractions or large developments, but through hospitality, imagination and a clear understanding of what people value when they come to our part of Cumbria.

As more visitors seek authentic experiences and a slower pace of travel, places such as Coombe Crag Camping demonstrate exactly why Brampton continues to attract those looking to discover the countryside, the community and the independent businesses that make this area so distinctive.

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THE SIX MEN OF CAPON TREE: COLONEL JAMES INNES

On 21 October 1746, six Jacobite prisoners were brought from Carlisle to Brampton and executed at the Capon Tree following the defeat of the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

The first man featured in this series is Colonel James Innes.

Innes was a road inspector from Cullen in Banffshire and was around seventy years old at the time of the Rising. According to later records, he had previously taken part in the Jacobite Rising of 1715, making him a veteran of two attempts to restore the House of Stuart to the throne.

During the 1745 campaign, Innes served as aide-de-camp to Lord Ogilvy. Contemporary records also state that he was given the rank of colonel by Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

Following the defeat of the Jacobite army, Innes was captured and taken to Carlisle. At his trial, he stated that he was seventy years of age and had been forced into the rebellion. He was subsequently convicted of high treason.

On 21 October 1746, James Innes was one of six men executed at Brampton. The following day, the High Sheriff of Cumberland reported the execution in an official letter, naming Innes among those who had suffered the sentence of the law.

Today, his name is recorded on the Capon Tree Monument, which stands near the site of the execution and remains one of Brampton's most significant connections to the events of the Jacobite Rising. On the memorial, he is listed as a member of the Forfarshire Regiment.

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Image: Retreat of the Young Pretender, John Cassell, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources: Sir Bruce Gordon Seton, The Prisoners of the '45 (National Library of Scotland); The High Sheriff's Report of the Brampton Executions, 22 October 1746; The Capon Tree Monument, Brampton; Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society.

As dusk settles over Brampton, one of our town’s most fascinating residents takes to the skies.

Bats have been part of life here for centuries, and the landscapes around Brampton provide an ideal habitat. These remarkable mammals play a vital role in our local ecosystem, feeding on insects and helping to maintain a natural balance in the environment.

Despite their mysterious reputation, bats are neither blind nor aggressive. They navigate with extraordinary precision using echolocation, emitting high-frequency sounds and interpreting the returning echoes to build a detailed picture of their surroundings.

The combination of historic buildings, mature trees, river corridors and surrounding farmland makes the Brampton area particularly attractive to bats. On warm summer evenings, they can often be seen darting and swooping overhead as they hunt.

As we celebrate the natural heritage that makes Brampton such a special place to live, work and visit, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate these remarkable creatures. They are an important part of our local environment and a reminder that even after sunset, our town remains full of life.

When you visit us here in Brampton on a warm summer evening, look up. Those swift silhouettes crossing the twilight sky are a reminder that some of the town’s most fascinating wildlife appears only after the sun goes down.

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Image credit: Pipistrellus (Common Pipistrelle), Wikimedia Commons.
Source: Cumberland Bat Group

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Sunday lunch remains one of Britain's great traditions, and Brampton offers visitors an excellent choice of venues in which to enjoy it.

Whether you prefer a traditional roast with all the trimmings or a contemporary take on a Sunday classic, Brampton's hospitality businesses provide quality food, welcoming surroundings and excellent service.

The Howard Arms, Charlie's Bistro and The Coffee Lounge each offer the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed Sunday lunch in Brampton, providing visitors with a range of excellent options for a leisurely weekend dining experience.

With quality ingredients, attentive service and a warm welcome, there are plenty of reasons to make Brampton your Sunday lunch destination this weekend.

Where will you be dining this Sunday?

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Images: The Howard Arms, Charlie's Bistro and The Coffee Lounge

The story of Sycamore Gap continues. Few landscapes capture the imagination quite like Sycamore Gap.

While the iconic tree may no longer stand, its legacy lives on through new growth from the original stump, saplings planted across the country, and plans to preserve its story for future generations.

For those wishing to experience this remarkable landscape for themselves, Brampton provides the perfect base. With a thriving local economy, a warm welcome for visitors and easy access to some of the country's most celebrated heritage and countryside, it offers the opportunity to make a trip to Sycamore Gap part of a wider Cumbrian experience.

As the story of the famous tree enters a new chapter, with new growth emerging from the original stump and its legacy being preserved for future generations, many visitors are once again being drawn to this iconic location.

A visit to Sycamore Gap is the perfect opportunity to discover all that Brampton has to offer. From local businesses and hospitality to historic attractions and beautiful countryside, the town provides an ideal starting point for exploring one of Britain's most memorable landscapes.

Plan a visit, stay a little longer, and discover why Brampton continues to welcome visitors from across the UK and beyond.

Whether you're returning to reflect on a place that meant so much to so many, or discovering it for the first time, there has never been a better time to explore Brampton and the surrounding area.

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History often remembers kings, generals and rebels. Yet some of its most intriguing figures are those who appear briefly in the records before disappearing again.

One such figure is William Stout of Hexham, the man who carried out the Jacobite executions at Brampton's Capon Tree in October 1746.

What we know about Stout is surprisingly limited. He was paid 20 guineas to act as executioner following the Jacobite trials and may also have received the condemned men's clothing and possessions. Historical accounts suggest he was involved not only in the executions at Brampton, but also in a wider series of Jacobite executions across Carlisle, Penrith and the surrounding area.

Despite his role in one of the most dramatic episodes in local history, William Stout remains an enigma. Contemporary accounts describe him as a man of "dubious character" who volunteered for the task rather than serving as a professional executioner. Some historians believe he may simply have been an ordinary labourer who accepted a job that few others would undertake.

The mystery deepens because modern researchers have struggled to uncover much more about him. In 2020, a researcher working with the Hexham Local History Society appealed for information after extensive searches failed to reveal significant details about Stout's life beyond his involvement in the execution of Jacobites in 1746.

More than 275 years later, William Stout remains one of the most elusive figures connected to Brampton's Jacobite story. Perhaps somewhere in an archive, parish register or forgotten family record, the rest of his story is still waiting to be discovered.

Image: AI artist's impression of a mid eighteenth century labouring man, representing how William Stout of Hexham may have appeared. No known portrait of William Stout survives.

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Sources: Storywalks Scotland; Hexham Local History Society; Hidden Cumbrian Histories; Jacobite execution records, October–November 1746.

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Happy Father's Day to all the dads, stepdads, grandads, foster dads, fathers-to-be, and father figures who make a difference every day.

Today, we celebrate the people who offer support, guidance, encouragement and care in all its forms. Thank you for the role you play in the lives of your families, friends and communities.

From all of us in Brampton, we hope you have a wonderful Father's Day.

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Set amidst the stunning landscapes of north Cumbria, Brampton Parish is a place where heritage, nature and community come together. From peaceful countryside and ancient woodlands to picturesque villages and thriving local businesses, the parish offers visitors an authentic taste of rural Cumbria.

At its heart lies the historic market town of Brampton, known for its distinctive architecture, independent shops, welcoming cafés, restaurants, hotels and strong sense of community. Nearby, visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of Talkin Tarn, explore beautiful walking and cycling routes, discover fascinating local heritage, and experience the relaxed pace of life that makes this area so special.

Brampton Parish is a destination that rewards those who take time to explore. Whether visiting for a day, a weekend or longer, guests will find friendly faces, unique local businesses, quality accommodation and memorable experiences around every corner. It is a place to slow down, discover something new and enjoy the very best of Cumbrian hospitality.

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