Days out around Kirkby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen and its surrounding countryside offers a feeling of pleasant isolation, thanks to its rugged, off the beaten track feel.

Offering a true insight into the rural Cumbrian way of life, get here by car or by travelling to the small town itself on the Settle to Carlisle Railway.

History and exploration of the great outdoors takes centre-stage for your Kirkby Stephen visit, overflowing with choice when it comes to heritage, nature reserves, cycle trails and moorland walks – including a stunning route from Shap which takes walkers across a limestone plateau and past stone circles and remnants of settlements lost to the sands of time. Upon arrival, here’s some local inspiration to get you started:

KIRKBY STEPHEN TOWN TRAIL

Kirkby Stephen’s gentle, unassuming exterior gives-way to plenty of tales which spill the beans on local history thanks to a special town trail. This interactive experience guides the intrepid history buff past many of the town’s notable buildings, plying you with fun facts along the way.

KIRKBY STEPHEN PARISH CHURCH

With Cumbria rich in ancient history, Kirkby Stephen keeps with tradition thanks to the town’s historic Parish Church, where upon entry, you’ll be greeted by the sight of an array of Saxon artifacts. Furthermore, for all you Norse Loki Stone fans , you can find one of them right here (fun fact - this stone is one of only two known carved figures of this type in Europe and the only one in Britain).

POETRY PATH

If you’re one for the words, then The Poetry Path is worth uncovering. Stretching along the banks of the River Eden, this unique trail documents a year in the life of a hill farmer. So, how do we get these fascinating insights into one of Cumbria’s oldest traditions during this circular walk? Well, 12 poems are carved into stone!

WAITBY GREENRIGGS NATURE RESERVE

There are two nature reserves to be enjoyed near Kirkby Stephen. The first, Waitby Greenriggs is set in a former railway cutting where carpets of beautiful wildflowers adorn the embankment landscape.

SMARDALE GILL NATURE RESERVE

The second, Smardale Gill, is set in a similar banked landscape to Waitby, spanning a bubbling beck, ancient woodland, for lovely wildflowers and classic countryside birds from the tiny Treecreeper to its nemesis, the Sparrowhawk. A tranquil woodland walk guides visitors along well-maintained pathways which lead to a disused railway viaduct are suitable for all – including wheelchair users and pushchairs.

PENDRAGON CASTLE

Three castles can also be found during a visit to the area surrounding Kirkby Stephen. Legend has it that the father of King Arthur lived at Pendragon Castle, which now lies in ruin in the Mallerstang Valley.

BROUGH CASTLE

The second castle worthy of exploration, Brough Castle is around 1,000 years old and once formed part of the Roman fort Verteris, to defend the surrounding area from invasion. Brough , like Pendragon, commands exceptional views which are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression among all who pay a visit.

LAMMERSIDE CASTLE

Another castle with a link to the legend of King Arthur, Lammerside Castle sits in the Eden Valley and dates back to the 14th Century. According to the stories of King Arthur, Lammerside is the site of Castle Dolorous, where the giant Tarquin ate some rather questionable meals of the human variety!

RUTTER FORCE WATERFALL

Close to Kirkby Stephen near the neighbouring town of Appleby, the Rutter Force waterfall awaits those who make the short stroll from the road. Whatever the weather, this waterfall flows from a small beck but with more dramatic results than you might expect.

BIKE RIDES FROM THE KIRKBY LONSDALE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

There are several designated cycle routes here, all of which start from the Kirkby Lonsdale Tourist Information Centre.

The 12 mile Mallerstang route takes cyclists to the most remote location in the Eden Valley with fabulous views of the valley to behold.

The Eden Rivers route takes you across the rivers Eden, Belah, Argill Beck, Swindale Beck and Scandal Beck, also taking-in the aforementioned Brough Castle. With the exception of one steep uphill section, this 16 mile ride gets easier as you go along.

For a 12-mile ride with traffic-free sections, why not try the Villages and Viaducts route? Following the route of a long-gone railway line, you’ll cross two viaducts, with the option of a short walk to the disused Smardale Gill Viaduct through the nature reserve covered earlier in this blog.

To plot your route for all of the above rides, search for National Route 71 (Penrith–Thirsk) and the Walney to Wear & Whitby Cycle Route (20).

Oh, and after a day of exploring, you’re bound to be somewhat hungry – so we recommend a feast at the award-winning Black Swan at Ravenstonedale as a perfect place to eat.