Dufton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dufton |
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 Dufton in 1996, Dufton Pike in the background |
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 Dufton
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| Population | 209 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | NY6825 |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | APPLEBY–IN–WESTMORLAND |
| Postcode district | CA16 |
| Dialling code | 01768 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Dufton is a small village in Cumbria, England. It sits in the beautiful Eden Valley, with Great Dun Fell rising nearby. The village is about 180 meters (590 feet) above sea level. Around 200 people live in Dufton.
The heart of the village is its green, which has an avenue of lime trees crossing it. You'll find the Stag Inn on the north side of the green. Many houses in Dufton were built starting in the 1600s. The village has kept much of its old charm over the last 100 years.
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Discovering Dufton's Past
Dufton is a very old settlement. Some of the first written records about the village are from the 1320s. The name Dufton likely means 'dove town' or 'dove farm'.
St Cuthbert's Church is just outside the village. Most of the church building dates from the 1800s.
Lead Mining in Dufton
In the 1700s and 1800s, Dufton was an important place for lead mining. A company called the London Lead Company helped develop the village. They built houses, a school, and a library for the miners and their families. They even installed piped water for the village.
A special fountain and water trough built by the company are still on the village green today. The words on the fountain, translated from Latin, describe a clear, pure pool of water.
Dufton Today: A Hub for Visitors
Today, Dufton's main activities are linked to tourism and farming. The village was affected by the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001. This disease made it very hard for local farms.
Dufton is a popular stop for walkers because it's on the Pennine Way, a long-distance walking trail. The Stag Inn and the Dufton Youth Hostel are favorite places for walkers to stay. The hostel opened in 1978. There are also other places to stay, like bed and breakfasts and campsites.
Natural Wonders Around Dufton
Dufton Ghyll Wood is an old forest area. It has interesting rock formations made of St Bees Sandstone. Other cool natural spots nearby include Dufton Pike, Knock Pike, Cross Fell, and High Cup Gill.
The area is also known for a special weather event called the Helm Wind and Helm Bar. These are unique wind and cloud effects caused by the shape of the land.
