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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.
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.
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.
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Eden Valley The most peaceful haven of pastoral calm
Number of results: 71
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
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.
Penrith
Traditional, luxury sandstone cottage with 2 double ensuite bedrooms. Cast iron log burning stove in living room & open plan with dining room. Oak & granite kitchen and separate utility and cloakroom. Kitchen opens onto sunny patio with BBQ
A climbing session on a mountain crag or rocky outcrop is one way to keep fit, and challenge yourself. As you look at the rock face the height and apparent blankness of the rock is what first strikes you, but when you get up close you realise the…
Kirkby Stephen
Charming 16-bed, 4* AA Highly Commended Inn in gorgeous conservation village with separate restaurant, small private restaurant, bar and lounge. Beautifully restored/refurbished, our family run Inn offers a relaxed, informal home-from-home.
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.
Kirkby Stephen
3 luxury wood and canvas glamping yurts, with electricity, full size king beds and log burning stoves. They have access to a shared eco toilet and hot woodland shower. The yurts are situated right on the banks of our river, in a riverside woodland…
The route is the last section of the Pennine Cycleway - a Sustrans route. It consists of 150 miles from the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland to Berwick-upon-Tweed .
Penrith
Carefully restored 17th century sandstone barn within the grounds of Melmerby Hall. 3 ensuite double bedrooms, 1 on the ground floor. Log burning stove in inglenook fireplace and complimentary logs. Private parking and garden with Weber BBQ
Appleby in Westmorland to Arnside - 98 miles. From the Pennines to Morecambe Bay taking in much of the Lake District and remaining entirely within the old county of Westmorland.
Penrith
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).
St Lukes Road, Kirkby Stephen
Package Holidays and Support Services for Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path plus bespoke Coast to Coast Cycle Routes and Packages from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay.
Penrith
Traditional, luxury sandstone cottage with 2 double ensuite bedrooms. Cast iron log burning stove & leather armchairs in living room. Oak & granite kitchen and separate utility. Dining room leads to French doors onto lawned garden with BBQ
St Lukes Road, Kirkby Stephen
Package Holidays and Support Services for Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path plus bespoke Coast to Coast Cycle Routes and Packages from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay.
Kirkby Stephen
Charming 14-bed 4* AA Highly Commended Inn in gorgeous conservation village with separate restaurant, small private restaurant, bar and lounge.
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
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.…
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,…
Penrith
A 14thC fortified home in course of reconstruction to provide craft centre.
A world hidden from the surface but full of adventure and challenge for all. From simple passageways to great labyrinths. Your journey feels like you’re reaching into the bowels of the earth on a true adventure. The experience is incredibly…
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