Caldbeck is a village in Cumbria, England, historically within Cumberland, it is situated within the Lake District National Park. The village had 714 inhabitants according to the census of 2001. Caldbeck is closely associated with neighbouring village Hesket Newmarket, which is 1.5 mi to the east. The nearest town is Wigton, 7.8 mi north west of the village, Carlisle is 13.8 mi to the north, Cockermouth is 17 mi to the south and Penrith is 15.7 mi to the east. The parish church is dedicated to St. Kentigern. Caldbeck's closest fell is High Pike.

Etymology

" 'The cold stream'; ON 'kaldr', 'bekkr'. The village and parish are named from the 'Cald Beck'..." (ON=Old Norse). " 'bekkr'...is the usual Lakeland name for 'stream', occurring some 200 times..."

Caldbeck transmitting station

The Caldbeck transmitting station is 2 mi outside of the village. The Caldbeck transmitting station is a 1,106 ft television and radio broadcasting station that covers most of northern Cumbria and south west Scotland. Also located further outside the village is the Sandale transmitting station.

Governance

The village is in the parliamentary constituency of Penrith and Solway. For Local Government purposes it is in the Cumberland unitary authority area. Caldbeck along with neighbouring village Hesket Newmarket, has its own parish council, Caldbeck Parish Council.

Northern Fells Group

Prince Charles has visited the village several times in recent times, overseeing the launch of the Northern Fells Rural Project, and in later years the end of the project, which became the Northern Fells Group.

Notable people