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You are here: Home > Things to Do > Talkin Tarn Country Park

Talkin Tarn Country Park

Path at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria
  • Path at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria
  • Watersports at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria
  • Watersports at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria
  • Lake at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria
  • Bench at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria
  • Signage at Talkin Tarn Country Park in Brampton, Cumbria

Type:Park

Talkin Tarn Country Park, Tarn Road, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 1HN

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Tel01228 817200

About

Talkin Tarn is a kettle-hole lake formed by the immense force of glaciers 18,000 years ago. Moving ice scoured and carved the landscape leaving glacial sand hills and a natural bowl, which filled with water as the ice sheet melted. The Tarn has long and rich history and has traditionally been used for recreation since at least the middle of the 1800's. The same is still true today with visitors coming from far and wide to enjoy all that the tarn has to offer.

The name Talkin is derived from the Celtic 'Talcan' meaning brow of a hill. The word 'Tarn' is Norse in origin, 'Tjorn' meaning tear drop or small lake.

Old buckles, stone axes and urns have been found in the area. Talkin Tarn has been used for hundreds of years for water sports. In the past a bathing hut on stilts was located on the tarn edge, complete with jetty and diving platform.

The beauty of Talkin Tarn is not down to nature alone, it is also the result of great conservation and management efforts of the country park team. Reed beds, open water, waterside margins with soft rushes, irises, sedges and grasses. Beech woods, birch and hazel scrub woodland, wet grassland and flushes. Talkin Tarn has a variety of different habitats, attracting many different species of wildlife throughout the year. Red squirrels frequent the bird and squirrel feeding area next to the tearoom, with nuthatches and greater spotted woodpeckers. In the Summer, the Common Blue Damselfly emerge from their underwater home. Other wildlife that you may encounter at Talkin Tarn include otters, badgers, foxes and roe deer. Autumn brings a show of colours from the trees and the splendour of the fungi of all shapes sizes and colours, growing around the woodland. Winter months bring a variety of birds to the open water including Mallard, Wigeon, Brambling and Mute swans as well as gulls and geese.

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Opening Times

Open Christmas
Open New Year
Season (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)

* Talkin Tarn Country Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Upstairs Tearoom (currently closed)

Summer - Easter to October Half term (inclusive) open daily 10.30am - 4.00pm

Winter - End of October Half Term to Easter Saturday & Sunday 10.30am - 4.00pm and School holidays

Downstairs tearoom and Gift Shop

7 days a week 11.00am till 3.30pm All year round

The take away kiosk is now open from 11.00 - 3.30.
The toilet facilities remain open 9am to 5pm, please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a face covering.
It is now closed fishing season, closed fishing season runs from 15th March - 15th June.
Water sports permits are now available.
Thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets
  • Mobility Scooter Hire

Booking & Payment Details

  • Credit cards accepted (no fee)

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • On-site light refreshments
  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Education/study area
  • Facilities for educational visits
  • Facilities for groups

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

  • Board/Flipchart
  • Facilities for corporate hospitality
  • Grounds for outdoor activities
  • Mobile phone coverage

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets
  • Smoking not allowed
  • WiFi or internet access

Site Features

  • Welcome Host

Access Information

Attractions Self Assessment

Accessibility NotesWe have a disability tramper available to hire for free

Entrance

Entrance is well lit

Public Areas

Baby changing facilities
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users
To the gift shop

Food

High chairs for children
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
Gluten free (coeliacs)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Nut free
Vegan
Vegetarian
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair

Parking

Designated parking for guests with disabilities
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Has a ramp
The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is solid

General

Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children
Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Tripadvisor

Awards

  • Cumbria AwardsMember of Cumbria Tourism Member of Cumbria Tourism 2016
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkinTarnCountryPark/

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Map & Directions

Map Link

Click here to view map

Road Directions

Talkin Tarn is located approximately 9 miles east of Carlisle and just a mile south off the A69 with ample parking. Follow the brown signs to Talkin Tarn Country Park from the roundabout at Brampton.

Public Transport Directions

Talkin Tarn can also be reached by road and rail. There is a bus route that can drop visitors off close to the park entrance . Also after a short walk Talkin Tarn is also easily accessible from Brampton Junction Railway station.

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