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The ancient market town and royal borough of Appleby is right in the heart of the Eden Valley and serves as the focal point for all of the surrounding villages and hamlets. There’s a good selection of traditional shops, while the riverside is perfect for a stroll or a picnic – there’s also an indoor swimming pool if you want something a little more energetic. The biggest event on the calendar is the annual horse fair that takes place in June.
Outside of town, the North Pennines lie directly east, with Cross Fell (893m) the tallest point and the distinctive conical peaks of Knock, Dufton and Murton pikes jutting up from the edge – the whole area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Culture & Heritage
The valley floor is occupied by the Eden River and its tributaries. The Romans marched through this valley between Carlisle and Brough: traces of one of the finest settlements in the northwest are at Ewe Close, made up of a series of hut circles and enclosure walls.
Older still is the double-ringed Oddendale Stone Circle and other prehistoric cairns on the limestone plateau to the south-west of Crosby Ravensworth, where you can also see evidence of Iron Age settlements.
During the 9th century, Viking settlers drawn to the rich grazing lands around the river founded the first settlements of Temple Sowerby, Bolton, Appleby, Great Ormside and Sandford. In the 11th century the Normans built the first castle on a high vantage point overlooking a river crossing at Appleby. The castle passed into the hands of the Clifford family in the 13th century, and they held it for the next 400 years: its most famous member was Lady Anne Clifford, who fought a 40-year battle to inherit her father’s estate, finally doing so in 1643. She devoted the rest of her life to restoring her family’s five castles – including the one at Appleby. Thanks to her, the castle is still open for tours, weddings, functions and conferences.
Photo: Appleby Castle
Appleby was the county town of Westmorland until 1974, when the boundary lines were redrawn and the ancient counties of Cumberland and Westmorland disappeared to be replaced by Cumbria (which also includes bits of Lancashire). Its former high status is still in evidence in the elegant uphill sweep of its tree-lined main street (Boroughgate) from the Norman church of St Lawrence at the bottom to the defensive Norman castle at the top.
Appleby developed early as a market town to sell produce from the surrounding rural area. The strong tradition of milk, butter and cheese production led to the establishment of the Appleby Express Creamery in 1931. The bull tethering ring, which can still be seen between Low Cross and the Moot Hall, was last used in 1812. Further along, the old County Gaol incarcerated prisoners for various misdeeds. Prisoners were made to work for their keep by grinding malt for the brewery and pumping water. A treadmill was uncovered here by Channel 4's Time Team in 2003. Gallows Hill (now known as Fair Hill) was the site for public hangings, the last being in 1829. And finally, you might notice some narrow alleys off some of the main streets – these were known as ‘wiends’ and could be sealed off to protect the townspeople in case of attack.
Surrounding Areas
Orton - The village of Orton stretches languidly in all directions but never loses sight of its focal centre, where several roads and footpaths converge. Here on the second Saturday of every month is one of the best farmers' market in northwest England with a huge array of local produce, complemented by a fine artisan chocolate factory and a traditional village shop.
Kirkby Stephen - Kirkby Stephen, an ancient market town at the head of the Eden Valley, possesses an air of historical intrigue. A fine church and busy market square lie at its heart. Narrow, twisting passageways await exploration and underground passages once provided refuge during Scottish raids and to smuggle in beer to the ale-houses to avoid paying taxes.
Did you know?
APPLEBY HORSE FAIR
This colourful spectacle has its origins circa 1685 when James II granted the town a second market charter to hold a fair ‘for the sale of all manners of goods, cattle, horses, mares and geldings’. Held in early June every year at Fair Hill, the event is a major cultural gathering for travelling people and attracts huge numbers who come to witness horse sales and the tradition of washing horses in the river.
ST LAWRENCE'S CHURCH
The parish church of Appleby was founded shortly after the castle. Although badly damaged by the Scots in 1388, the church was rebuilt by Lady Anne Clifford in the mid-17th century. When she died in 1676 her coffin was laid in a vault near to a handsome monument to the Clifford family lineage. Adjacent is a magnificent marble memorial to her mother Margaret, Countess of Cumberland.
ST ANNE'S HOSPITAL ALMSHOUSES
Midway up Boroughgate is a picturesque courtyard of almshouses built by Lady Anne Clifford in 1651 to house poor Appleby widows. Although the houses are still occupied, the courtyard and chapel may be visited during the day.
EDEN BENCHMARKS
Ten carved stone sculptures (which also function as seats) that can be found along the length of the River Eden from Mallerstang to Rockcliffe. The sculputures were commissioned to commemorate the 2000 millennium.
BONGATE MILL
Although the present building dates from 1838, it is thought there has been a mill here since the 13th century, probably supplying ground corn to the castle.
ACORN BANK GARDEN
A horticultural haven that contains the largest collection of culinary and medicinal plants in the north of England and a traditional orchard with many regional varieties of apple, pear and damson trees.
Eden Valley The most peaceful haven of pastoral calm
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Number of results: 79
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Address
Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4NGTelephone
015396 23204Kirkby Stephen
Charming 14-bed 4* AA Highly Commended Inn in gorgeous conservation village with separate restaurant, small private restaurant, bar and lounge.
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Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01539560951Penrith
Join Nature Conservation Advisor, Chloe Lumsdon, for a deep dive into identifying the native flora in the restored hay meadows at Acorn Bank. This is an opportunity to explore part of the estate not usually open for visitors.
On this date, Meadow…
Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01539560951Penrith
Join local artist David Hawkes to sketch wildflowers in the meadow.On this date, Meadow Mania Part 1: British Native Meadow Species is in the morning with Nature Conservation Advisor, Chloe Lumsdon, and is followed in the afternoon by this session…
Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01768361893Penrith
The 175 varieties of apple growing under the care of Acorn Bank's garden team start to ripen at the end of August, with the latest being picked around the middle of October.
Every weekend throughout September and October the most recently picked…
Address
Boroughgate, APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND, Cumbria, CA16 6XFTelephone
01768 361269APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late 13th after a raid by the Scots, restored 16th by Lady Anne Clifford, followed by two rounds of 19th century internal remodelling.
Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01768361893Penrith
Join Kate Rawles, who cycled the length of South America on a self-built bamboo bike, for tales of brilliant and brave environmentalists and extraordinary landscapes.
Address
Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, Whinfell Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DWTelephone
01768 893 009Penrith
Discover picturesque landscapes at Whinfell Forest, a wildlife sanctuary nestled on the edge of the Lake District. Experience a range of activities, restaurants and traditional accommodation, all set around a beautiful lake.
Address
Brackenslack Shepherds Huts, Brackenslack Ln, Maulds Meaburn, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3HXTelephone
07415345062Maulds Meaburn, Penrith
Brackenslack Shepherds Huts offers luxury glamping in the beautiful Eden Valley, Cumbria. Each Shepherd’s hut are individually styled with a cosy log burner, private outdoor copper bathtub, fire pit BBQ and seating to enjoy the stunning views.
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Address
Clifton, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2ERTelephone
01768 865381Penrith
At the George and Dragon, our commitment to exceptional food has garnered us numerous awards throughout the years. We attribute our success to our field-to-fork philosophy, where we prioritize home-grown ingredients and showcase the culinary…
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Address
Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
017683 61893Penrith
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal and culinary herb collection and orchards, woodland walks to a restored watermill.
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Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01768361893Penrith
Bel Charlesworth, Medical Herbalist, leads a walk around the Herb Garden at Acorn Bank to share her knowledge and insight about the value of medicinal plants. In addition to walking around the Herb Garden with Bel, the event will include a Q&A…
Address
The Coast to Coast Packhorse Ltd, 25, Cumberland house, 20 St Lukes Rd, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4HTTelephone
+44 (0) 17683 7177720 St Lukes Rd, Kirkby Stephen
Coast to Coast Packhorse is the only UK travel company specializing exclusively in Alfred Wainwright’s famous C2C Way. For nearly 30 years, we’ve helped walkers, runners, and cyclists plan unforgettable coast-to-coast holidays from our headquarters…
Address
11 Hawthorne Rise, Hackthorpe, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2FWTelephone
07432002713Penrith
Lakes For All: luxury self-catering, wheelchair accessible holidays in the Lake District, Cumbria for people with physical disabilities and their families.
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Address
The Kings Arms Hotel, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SBTelephone
017683 62944Penrith
The Kings Arms in Temple Sowerby offers traditional pub fare and local ales in a renovated setting. Open all day, it serves tasty, reasonably priced meals using locally sourced ingredients. Family-friendly with a beer garden.
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Address
Great Salkeld, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA11 9NATelephone
01768 898396PENRITH
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was rested here after being brought from Holy Island. The Pele Tower was added in 1380, with an iron door for defence of the inhabitants against the Scots.
Address
Roundthorn Country House, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8SJTelephone
01768 863952Penrith
The Roundthorn is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion is set in its own landscaped grounds and enjoys panoramic views of the Eden Valley, the Pennines and Lakeland Fells.
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Address
Appleby Station, Clifford St, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6TTTelephone
017683 53200Appleby-in-Westmorland
Welcome to Settle-Carlisle country, home to one of the most scenic railway journeys in England.
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Address
Black Cat Distillery, Brougham Hall, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DETelephone
07854 944597Penrith
Open our doors and embark on a journey into the world of craft distilling by booking on to one of our gin making workshops with us. A warm Cumbrian welcome awaits as we embark on your distilling adventure.
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Address
Pennine View Caravan Park, Station Road, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4SZTelephone
017683 71717Kirkby Stephen
Nestled in the Eden Valley surrounded by rolling countryside Pennine View Park is a touring and camping park, perfectly placed for walking, cycling and simply relaxing.
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Address
The Green Cumbria, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4NWTelephone
07483 323738Kirkby Stephen
The Haystore is one of three luxurious cottages at The Green Cumbria. Super stylish barn conversion, idyllic rural location, dogs welcome, enclosed garden, wood-burner, pubs nearby and great walks from the door.
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