Headlamps at the ready for a night orienteering event at Talkin Tarn Country Park near Brampton where Border Liners are hosting the first event of the North West Night League season for 2025/26. (Note that BL are also holding a Saturday morning event at Talkin Tarn – whilst you are more than welcome to run in both events, please note that by running in the morning you would become non-competitive for the night event.)
Entries now open – further details below. Course lengths updated 3/11/25
Parking. Talkin Tarn car park is at GR NY543590. What3words ///ripe.leaky.navy. The nearest Postcode CA8 1HN. Parking charges apply between 10am and 6pm, up to 1 Hour £1.40, Over 1 Hour £2.60 using the MiPermit phone app (you can pay in advance with this app or on the MiPermit website using location number 712013). If you pay by cash/card at the payment terminals in the car park you appear pay a little more….. £1.50 or £2.70…. (don’t ask us why!).
Public Transport. Brampton Train Station is 0.9 miles away, nearest bus stop Brampton 2.2 miles away.
Assembly/Registration/Download. This is a short walk away in “The Cabin”, a timber building behind the Cafe and next to the toilets. Bags can be left here, and there are tea/coffee making facilities – bring a mug! If you have very muddy shoes after running please remove them before entering the cabin as we will need to leave it clean before we leave. Please take any litter away with you.
Courses. Usual NWNL courses of Blue, Green, Orange. Subject to final planning courses will be approximately as below.
Blue 5.9km, 90m (with map flip)
Green 4.1km, 65m
Orange 2.5km, 35m
Start times. From 17.30 to 19:00 (sunset 16:20).
Start and Finish. Start and finish will be very close by. No start times are allocated; just turn up and go (leaving a one minute interval). Courses close 20:30. As we will still have to collect controls in after everyone has finished, if you think you may be a long time on your course please consider starting a little earlier.
Map. Updated Summer 2025 to use Lidar contours, 1:5000, 2.5m contours on A4 waterproof paper. Whilst there is a legend on the map this is likely to be covered by control descriptions therefore a copy will be available at registration/download in The Cabin. Control descriptions will be printed on the front of the map, pictorial for Blue & Green, both pictorial & text for Orange.
Terrain. Talkin Tarn is a pretty area, with a mix of mature woodland and open fields surrounding the tarn. There are many tracks and paths, some of them steep. The map is dominated by the tarn, with areas of mature woodland, short cropped fields, rough ground and some young trees surrounding it. The tarn has well defined edges which may not always be clearly visible in the dark; if you suddenly get wet feet go backwards!! It is important to note that at this time of year leaf fall makes many paths very indistinct; especially at night they are easy to cross and miss. There are a number of uncrossable fences marked on the map; if your course needs to cross a fence make sure you choose a suitable crossing point (gates or stiles). There will very likely be livestock (probably sheep) in the fields to the west of the Tarn that some courses cross into – it is important to close any gates that you open.
Clothing/equipment. The main path around the tarn is very good, but away from here paths may be muddy and slippy. Please wear appropriate footwear. Unlike the day event can we request full leg cover please as you may not see some of the vegetation in the dark. You will of course need a torch. For your own safety please carry a whistle and consider taking a backup torch + mobile phone (the planner’s phone number will be on the map). If the weather is particularly inclement a cagoule may be required; please come prepared.
Entries. Pre-entry via SiEntries from 14th October, Adults £7, Juniors £3. Entries close at midnight on Thursday 6th November. There will be limited entry on the day for the Orange course. If you are new to night orienteering and would prefer to go round as a group just enter one person and use the option to select any additional maps the groups would like at £1 each. If you do not have your own dibber these will be provided at no charge, £30 if not returned. To pre-order, leave the SI number blank during the online entry process, and then collect dibber from Enquiries/Download on the day.
Controls & Punching. SportIdent punching will be used for the event. Controls will be enabled for contactless punching for those with SIAC cards. The start and finish will need to be punched manually. If you don’t have your own dibber these will be provided on the day.
Facilities. Public toilets are available next to The Cabin (if we can keep them open), if not there is a toilet within The Cabin. The Cafe will of course be closed.
Safety: If you arrive at the event alone please leave something at download, eg car keys. If you get lost within the park head to the tarn edge where there is a very good path round the entire circumference. You must report to download after finishing, even if you have retired. A comprehensive risk assessment has been prepared for this event by the organiser. Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event. First aid on a DIY basis will be at The Cabin. The nearest hospital is the Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle CA2 7HY (01228 523444). The nearest defibrillator is close by at Talkin Tarn cafe.
General. As the path around the tarn is good, please be aware that even at night you may encounter an occasional intrepid dog walker!
Membership. If you are not a member of Border Liners do consider joining our club. Membership details are here.
Acknowledgements. Border Liners would like to thank Cumberland Council for permission to use Talkin Tarn Country Park. For more information on Talkin Tarn visit the website: Talkin Tarn Country Park
The North West Night League is sponsored for 2025/26 season by TrailHeadTorch.
Planner/organiser. Keith Tonkin & Christine Kiddier (keith AT coria.co.uk), Stella Lewsley, Border Liners. British Orienteering registered event number 86658.
Border Liners Orienteering Club 