Orton Fells facts for kids
The Orton Fells is a beautiful, hilly area in Northern England. It's mostly made up of limestone hills, flat areas called plateaus, and open, wild lands known as moorlands. This special place is located in Cumbria, a county famous for its stunning landscapes. It sits next to the Lake District to the west, the Eden Valley to the north and east, and the Yorkshire Dales and Howgill Fells to the south.
Most of the Orton Fells is part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A smaller part on the western side is within the Lake District National Park. The fells are also one of 159 "National Character Areas" in England. These areas are special places defined by Natural England because of their unique natural features.
Villages and Towns
Most of the villages in the Orton Fells are found in the lower, central parts of the area. Some of the main villages that surround the fells include Orton, Great Asby, Little Asby, Crosby Ravensworth, and Crosby Garrett.
Other villages in the area are Ravenstonedale, Soulby, Maulds Meaburn, King's Meaburn, Morland, and Cliburn. Many of these settlements are protected because they have special historical or architectural importance.
Amazing Limestone Landscapes
The Orton Fells are famous for their unique limestone landscapes. Over thousands of years, glaciers scraped and shaped the land. Then, natural weather like rain and wind slowly wore away the limestone. This process created deep cracks or "fissures" in the rock. It broke the flat limestone into many separate blocks.
Sadly, much of this amazing rock was damaged by mining over the centuries. However, two fantastic examples of these limestone pavements still remain in Britain. These are the Great Asby Scar, near Great Asby, and the Orton Scars, near Orton. They are like giant, natural rock puzzles spread across the landscape.
Farming and Nature
The Orton Fells are home to rolling hills covered in green fields. These fields are often separated by traditional limestone walls or fences. You might also see some hedgerows, which are lines of bushes and trees.
Farming here mostly involves raising sheep. Farmers also grow grass for hay and silage in the valleys. This food helps feed the animals, especially in winter.
On the higher, open moorland, you'll find heather plants. These plants create a beautiful purple carpet when they bloom. There aren't many trees in the Orton Fells, but you can find small groups of them. These groups often have a mix of broad-leaved trees (like oak or ash) and coniferous trees (like pine). Ash trees are quite common in the area.
Ancient History
The Orton Fells also hold many clues about the past. Archaeologists have found ancient remains scattered across the area. These include the sites of old villages where people lived long ago. There are also mysterious stone circles, which might have been used for ceremonies. You can also find burial mounds, which are ancient graves. Even a Roman road runs through the area, showing that people have traveled and lived here for thousands of years.
