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Appleby-in-Westmorland Eden Valley & North Pennines
Appleby-in-Westmorland Eden Valley & North Pennines

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Appleby-in-Westmorland

The ancient market town and royal borough of Appleby (no need for the in-Westmoreland bit) 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 fine indoor market and 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.

Appleby was the county town of Westmoreland until 1974, when the boundary lines were redrawn and the ancient counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland 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.
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 mid-17th century.
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.
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.
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.

Eden Valley The most peaceful haven of pastoral calm

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Adventure Leisure Vehicles

Address

Tebay Business Park, Tebay, Cumbria, CA10 3SS

Telephone
01539 624141

renteasy@adventurelv.com

Tebay

Camper Van rental, with a selection of HYMER vehicles available to rent, some of which are dog friendly.
We are an official RENT EASY depot.

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Milburn Grange Holiday Cottages

Address

Milburn Grange, Knock, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6DR

Telephone
017683 61867

holidays@milburngrange.co.uk

Appleby-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.

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Shap Standing Stones

Address

Shap, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3QG

website@cumbriatourism.org

Penrith

Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975 after it had fallen - some 3500 years after first being set on end.

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The Lost Castle Adventure Playground at Lowther Castle

Address

Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH

Telephone
01931 712192

martin.ogle@lowthercastle.org

Penrith

Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.

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Abseiling in Westmorland Dales with Adventure Vertical

Address

Telephone
07849 398 288

info@adventurevertical.co.uk

Fancy feeling the freedom of abseiling down a cliff or off a railway viaduct?
If you enjoy high level excitements then why not step boldly over the edge of a near-vertical rock face or abseil down the side of a railway viaduct?

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Brougham Hall

Address

Brougham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DE

Telephone
01768 868184

juliachurchill@btinternet.com

Penrith

A 14thC fortified home in course of reconstruction to provide craft centre.

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Lowther Castle & Gardens - Afternoon Tea

Address

Lowther Castle & Gardens, Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH

Telephone
01931 712192

claire.ls@lowthercastle.org

Penrith

The long haul in the afternoon between lunch and supper can now be bridged in considerable style within the lovely setting of the Sculpture Gallery at Lowther Castle. Delicious loose leaf teas, English sparkling wines, cakes, tarts, pastries,…

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Shap to Kirkby Stephen

Address

Cumbria, CA10 2DA

website@cumbriatourism.org

The terrain on this part of the route is a limestone plateau and points of interest are found in the primitive and prehistoric settlements evidenced by stone circles and earthworks of old settlements. This part of the route also offers splendid…

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Low Ploughlands Holiday Lets

Address

Little Musgrave, KIRKBY STEPHEN, Cumbria, CA17 4PQ

Telephone
07870611157

harriet@lowploughlands.co.uk

KIRKBY STEPHEN

Low Ploughlands is set in the Eden Valley, nestled at the foot of the Pennines. Located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the Lake District you are spoilt for choice on the great outdoors.
Brockram & Keld barns converted with…

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40 reviews
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Gamelands Stone Circle

Address

Bland Ho, Orton, Penrith, Cumbria

website@cumbriatourism.org

Penrith

One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of its stones have fallen over so none are higher than one yard but they are 100 yards in circumference.

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The Black Swan Restaurant

Address

Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4NG

Telephone
015396 23204

enquiries@blackswanhotel.com

Kirkby 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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Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

Address

Smardale Gill Nature Reserve, Smardale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4HG

Telephone
01539 816300

mail@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Kirkby Stephen

Nature reserve.

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Adventure Leisure Vehicles

Address

Tebay Business Park, Tebay, Cumbria, CA10 3SS

Telephone
01539 624141

renteasy@adventurelv.com

Tebay

Camper Van rental, with a selection of HYMER vehicles available to rent, some of which are dog friendly.
We are an official RENT EASY depot.

More Details
Static Caravan Rental at the Rising Sun Holiday Park

Address

Rising Sun, Appleby, Cumbria, CA16 6JL

Telephone
07746325279

risingsunholidaypark@gmail.com

Appleby

The Rising Sun Holiday park is a newly developed privately owned park on the outskirts of Appleby-in-Westmorland. We currently have 10 pitches avalible to rent anually. From April 2021, we will also have a rental unit for short stay breaks.…

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Eden Valley

Address

Appleby Tourist Information Centre, Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6XE

Telephone
01539 822222

tic@applebytown.org.uk

Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland

Across the valley floor and along its undulating sides, courtesy of stone bridges over the Eden and Lyvennet rivers (and
numerous becks that feed them), this ride has excellent views to the eye-catching contours of the North Pennines.

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Acorn Bank

Address

Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SP

Telephone
017683 61893

acornbank@nationaltrust.org.uk

Penrith

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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Restaurant at Augill Castle

Address

South Stainmore, Nr Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4DE

Telephone
01768 341937

office@stayinacastle.com

Nr Kirkby Stephen

Contemporary informal dining in the friendliest surroundings

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Todd Hills Hall Farm

Address

Melmerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1HP

Telephone
07968 258234

christine@therowleyestates.com

Penrith

Traditional and superbly appointed sandstone farmhouse with 6 ensuite bedrooms. Stunning views and a walkers’ paradise, 2 log burning stoves, Aga, side by side fridge freezer in oak and granite kitchen. Private parking and garden with BBQ.

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Edenhall Estate

Address

The Courtyard, Edenhall, Cumbria, CA11 8ST

Telephone
01768881430

bookings@edenhallestate.co.uk

Edenhall

Join us at Edenhall Estate, a world of tranquility and adventure right between The Lake District National Park and the drama of the Pennine Fells

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Tales in Lockdown Street theatre

Address

The Studio, Morland, Cumbria, CA10 3AZ

Telephone
01539727424

info@kendalcommunitytheatre.com

Morland

Tales in Lockdown Street Theatre
Keep Live Theatre Alive in Cumbria!
Kendal Community Theatre: We Never Close!
As outdoor theatre restarts look out for exciting tales of Vampires, the 1715 Jacobite Uprising and Mack the Knife brought to you by…

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