Lying to the west of the Coniston Mountain Range, between the southern reach of the Duddon Valley and the wide gentle plains of the Duddon Estuary, Broughton is a bustling town, full of activities, and a perfect base for exploring one of Cumbria’s most unspoiled and dramatic landscapes. The history of Broughton dates back many centuries with the oldest building thought to be the church of St Mary Magdelene, first built as part of an eleventh century Saxon settlement. The church today is the result of a major restoration taken place in 1873 by the firm of Paley and Austin. Over time, Broughton became an important market town, a centre of the wool trade and the manufacture of the oak baskets known as swills. Among the little back streets you would have found blacksmiths, millers, tanners, dressmakers and cobblers carrying out their crafts in readiness for the weekly markets. During the reign of Elizabeth I the town was granted a charter giving permission to hold fairs. To this day, each year on the 1st August, there is the ceremonial ‘Reading of the Charter’, where pennies are thrown to the children. Today many of the houses and buildings are Georgian, centred on the elegant town square, built by the Lord of the Manor to resemble a London Square. The Market Hall, a fine structure, was built in 1766, originally housing small lock up shops and is now the home of the Tourist Information Centre, exhibiting locally produced glassware, ceramics and paintings. In the centre of the square is a fine obelisk, erected to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George III in 1810, and stands next to both the ancient fish slabs, used to sell fish caught in the River Duddon and Estuary, and the village stocks for those who broke the laws or behaved in an unseemly manner. For day to day needs Broughton is perfectly self contained with many fine shops, inns and restaurants. On Prince’s Street there is Melville Tysons Grocer and Butcher. The shelves groan with preserves, chutneys, wine and pastas; the deli counter has a fabulous selection of cheeses, hams, salami, olives and pastries and the butcher sells the finest cuts, many from locally produced fell bred stock. Next door is the Village Bakery and Cafe run by Allan and Emma Rayden. Using only the finest produce to bake their wonderful fresh breads, pastries and cakes the aroma as you pass is enough to draw anybody inside. Finally on Prince’s Street, is the Post Office selling local maps, books, ice cream and general goods. Cumbrian Wool is a cooperative of neighbouring farmers who produce beautiful rugs, blankets and throws from the wool of their fell sheep and you will find examples of their work displayed in the shops and TIC. On Griffin Street you will find The Broughton Craft Shop where John Fletcher makes delightful jewellery from silver and local slate. The Mountain Centre on Market Street offers professional equipment for climbing, walking and camping and owner Ian Lockwood will give expert advice on both equipment and the local fells. For dining there is a wide choice. Breakfast and lunch at the baker or at The Square Cafe, famed among motor cycle enthusiasts and on the corner of Griffin Street, Beswicks, for candle-lit dinners. There are four pubs, The Black Cock, The Old Kings Head, The Manor Arms and the High Cross Inn. All serve good pub food and excellent local beers and have good atmosphere with oak beams and log fires. A final note on Inns must be to mention the Blacksmiths Arms at Broughton Mills, a few miles from the town. Rare in that it has remained unchanged over the years with a plank of wood for the bar, a table you all sit around, roaring fires and the finest ales and food. Not to be missed!. Having sampled the culinary delights on offer, you will need to work off the excess calories and there is plenty to do. Locally there are delightful walks, archealogical sites to visit and of special interest is the restored Duddon Iron Works. There are two fine tennis courts where sessions may be booked at the Post Office. The Mountain Centre hires mountain bikes and for a bit of wild adventure there is Lakeland Safari, offering 4X4 off road training and escorted trips into the fells. Nearby, the Duddon Valley is a magnificent place for walking, scrambling and climbing. Running south from Wrynose Bottom, volcanic peaks rise up along the ten mile length, whilst the river churns its serpentine path until it issues into the plains of Duddon Estuary. There are walks and climbs to suit all abilities, but to simply picnic by the river bank and take in the scenery is a pleasure in itself. The fact that Wordsworth was moved to write over one hundred sonnets in praise of this rare valley is an indication of how special this landscape is.