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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: 87
, currently showing 21 to 40.
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
Expertly Crafted Running Holidays – As specialists in the Alfred Wainwright Coast to Coast, we use our expertise to create seamless running itineraries.
Address
The King's Head, Riverside, Ravenstonedale, Cumbria, CA17 4NHTelephone
015396 23050Ravenstonedale
The King's Head is a stunning Bar/ Restaurant/ Hotel based in Ravenstonedale in the Eden Valley. Built in the 16th Century, The King's Head is a Grade II listed building has been a landmark in this area for 5 Centuries.
Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
017683 61893Penrith
Join Acorn Bank gardener Bronwyn and her team to taste freshly juiced apples from the orchard. You might be surprised at the flavours.
* Juicing will take about 10 minutes at the start of the session, so if you want to see the pressing, be sure to…
Address
Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01981 590604Penrith
Join Jordan, your local Wild Food UK foraging instructor and immerse yourselves in Nature's bountiful larder in this stunning location.
Learn how to safely identify fresh wild plants, mushrooms, fruits and berries to boost your health, mealtimes and…Address
Weddings at Roundthorn Country House, Roundthorn Country House, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8SJTelephone
01768863952Penrith
Discover your wedding at Roundthorn
Join us at Roundthorn Country House for our Autumn Wedding Showcase on Sunday 4th October, 12pm–4pm, and spend the afternoon soaking up all things wedding!
Explore our beautiful house, grounds and wedding…
Penrith
Westmorland Hotel is a welcoming, contemporary hotel located just behind Tebay Services on the M6, perfectly positioned between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Despite its motorway proximity, the hotel enjoys a peaceful setting surrounded…
Address
Little Salkeld, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1NWPenrith
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated with concentric circle - late Neolithic or early Bronze Age (c2000 or earlier).
Address
National Trust Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SPTelephone
01768 361893Penrith
2 Trampers are available for 2-hour sessions at 11am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2pm.
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Address
High Greenside bed and breakfast & Pop-Up Camping, High Greenside, Greenside Ln, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4LUTelephone
07487 882040Greenside Ln, Kirkby Stephen
High Greenside Bed and Breakfast is in a beautiful location situated on the fringe of the picturesque village of Ravenstonedale in the Upper Eden Valley. We offer very comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation, each room has comfy beds, tea and…
Tourism For All
Address
Brougham Avenue, Brougham, Nr. Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DETelephone
01768 868184Nr. Penrith
Brougham Hall is a 14th Century Fortified ruin home to a variety of working craft units, a cafe, both a gin distillery and a brandy distillery.
Address
The Shepherds Inn, Langwathby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1LWTelephone
01768881463Penrith
The Shepherds Inn has been a part of Langwathby for as long as there has been a village. We keep tradition alive by serving up local favourites as well as stocking an almost endless, and ever-changing collection of local ales, beers & spirits.
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.
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
Ride the legendary Coast to Coast cycling route, a 280km+ journey from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay, through some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. With customizable itineraries, you choose your pace—whether a fast-paced 3-day challenge or a…
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
Morland, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3AXPenrith
Morland church has the only Anglo Saxon tower in Cumbria which is a remarkable survival and outstanding example of its type.
The top storey of the tower was added in the 17th century but the massive Saxon structure retains its original masonry,…
Address
Milburn Grange, Knock, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6DRTelephone
017683 61867Appleby-in-Westmorland
Nestling at the foot of the Pennines and enjoying uninterrupted views of the Lakeland fells, our comfortable cottages offer a high standard of accommodation and are open all year-round.
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
George and Dragon, Clifton, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2ERTelephone
01768 865381Penrith
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Lake District, the George and Dragon is a beloved country inn that offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Sink into our fabulous beds adorned with luxurious linens, and enjoy the convenience of en-suite…
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Address
Tebay Services, M6, Tebay, Cumbria, CA10 3SBTelephone
015396 24511Tebay
We are a motorway services business owned by a Cumbrian farming family. John and Barbara Dunning opened Tebay Services in 1972 after the M6 motorway was built through their farm. They invited the world to this once-remote stretch of Westmorland to…
Address
Black Cat Distillery, Brougham Hall, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DETelephone
07854 944597Penrith
Perusing the Black Cat Gin range is certainly thirsty work! Luckily you can taste a tipple or two of our juniper-based ambrosia to help the process along. I already know that you will find your new favourite gin from our award winning range! We have…
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