John Dalton Way
A 28-mile long-distance walk in Cumbria exploring the area of the county to the west of the Lake District mountains, beginning in Cockermouth and ending in the coastal village of Seascale on the Irish Sea. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: NY 120 307
Distance: 28 miles (45 km)
Time: 11–15 hours
Duration: 1–3 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL4 The English Lakes – North Western Area
OL6 The English Lakes – South Western Area
303 Whitehaven, Workington, Cockermouth and Egremont
Summary
The John Dalton Way is a walking route in Cumbria from the market town of Cockermouth to the small seaside resort of Seascale. Established in 2016 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of John Dalton, the discoverer of atomic theory, it explores the lesser-known area of West Cumbria, from the fringe of the Lake District National Park at Cockermouth to the quiet lowlands outside the park boundary. The route visits Eaglesfield, Fifkettle Brow, Dean, Ullock, Mockerkin, Lamplugh, Kirkland, Ennerdale Bridge, Scarny Brow, Blakeley Moss, Burn Edge, Swarth Fell, Friar Well, the River Calder, Calder Bridge, and Seascale Hall before terminating in Seascale.
This walk was created by a group of Cockermouth-based walking friends who worked in the nuclear industry and affectionately call themselves the ‘Nuclear Striders’. They researched the route — which is almost entirely based on existing public footpaths — and published a booklet titled Walk the John Dalton Way, which provides full instructions for the walk alongside a summary of John Dalton’s life and contributions to the development of atomic theory. The booklet is available in bookshops across North and West Cumbria. Additionally, the John Dalton Way website offers more information on John Dalton, the walk, and where to purchase the booklet.