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  1. Kirkby Lonsdale Town Centre
    Where The Lakes Meets The Dales
  2. Sedbergh
    Where The Lakes Meets the Dales
  3. Casterton
    Where The Lakes Meets The Dales

You are here: Home > Explore > Areas of Cumbria > Where The Lakes Meets The Dales

Where The Lakes Meets The Dales

Just beyond the northern Lake District lie the Yorkshire Dales, a picture-postcard patchwork of green valleys and high heather moorland dotted with traditional villages and some of the best cycling and walking trails in all of England. Although most of the dales are enclosed within the confines of Yorkshire Dales National Park, nature’s gift hardly recognises county lines and some of its most handsome towns, notably Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh, are actually in Cumbria.
 
The dales – from the old Viking word ‘dalr,’ which means ‘valley’ – is rich in both culture and heritage. The heather-rich moorland and flat-topped hills rising from the green valley floors have remained largely unspoilt for thousands of years, its traditions still very much in evidence, from the drystone walls and old-fashioned barns to its ancient farming villages with its gorgeous pubs and – in some cases – sheep that still graze on the village green.
 
Here you’ll also find the picturesque Lune Valley, a favourite subject of Turner and Constable, and exalted by John Ruskin as the most naturally divine place in all of Europe. Ruskin clearly made an impression – there’s a spot in Kirkby Lonsdale (from which Turner painted the valley) now called ‘Ruskin’s View.’

Explore

  1. The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh
    Places to Stay
    Places to stay in this beautiful area with the Lake District on one side and the Yorkshire Dales on the other
  2. Food & Drink in The Lake District, Cumbria
    Food & Drink
    Explore the Food and drink on offer in this area
  3. Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Market
    What's On
    There is a wide variety of events taking place in this area throughout the year.
  4. The Pepper Pot, near Sedbergh
    Things to do
    From ancient stone circles to working farm visits, there’s enough to do in the dales to keep you satisfied. Take a look at the list below.
  5. Kirkby Lonsdale
    Towns & Villages
    Explore the towns and villages of this area
  6. Itineraries around the Eastern Lakes and Dales
    Inspiring Itineraries
    Let us help you find inspiring places to visit with our travel itineraries. Whatever your choice of location, duration and budget, check out our recommendations.

Highlights

Waitby School
Waitby School

Waitby School is an extended and renovated 17thC schoolhouse standing proud on a breathtaking fell…

Cycling in the Lake District Cumbria
Frostrow Fells and Dent

Of all the Yorkshire Dales, Dentdale has probably the most pleasant atmosphere. With a westerly…

Cycling in the Lake District Cumbria
Eden Rivers

Crossings of the Eden, Belah, Argill Beck, Swindale Beck and Scandal Beck rivers, plus medieval…

Coast to Coast Packhorse - Cycling
Coast to Coast Packhorse - Cycling

Package Holidays and Support Services for Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path plus bespoke Coast to…

Woodclose Park
Woodclose Park - Holiday Homes for Sale

Set in the beautiful River Lune valley between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National…

The Old Croft House - Twin Room
The Old Croft House

The Old Croft House is a Grade II listed Georgian town house situated in the picturesque market…

Car Park
Stoneshot Car Park, Kirkby Stephen

Free car parking with 12 spaces. Public toilets adjacent to the car park.

Farfield Mill
Farfield Mill

Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art…

Walking in the Lake District, Cumbria
River Rawthey and River Dee

Sedbergh is at the confluence of two Dales rivers, the River Rawthey and the River Dee. Along their…

Plato's, Kirkby Lonsdale
Plato's

Set in a picturesque market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, Plato's is a 5* boutique bar and restaurant…

Sun Inn
Sun Inn

The Sun Inn’s AA rosette rated restaurant is led by our experienced Head Chef, Joe Robinson, and…

The Copper Kettle
The Copper Kettle

Old world type restaurant serving home-made food.

Dining at the Black Swan
The Black Swan Restaurant

Charming 14-bed 4* AA Highly Commended Inn in gorgeous conservation village with separate…

Rent Easy Camper Van Rental, Kendal
Adventure Leisure Vehicles

Camper Van rental, with a selection of HYMER vehicles available to rent, some of which are dog…

White Rose Classic
White Rose Classic

Each year, the White Rose Classic Hawes Long Route takes riders into the edge of the Lakes by way…

Coast to Coast Packhorse - Guided Walking
Coast to Coast Packhorse - Guided Walking

Package Holidays and Support Services for Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path plus bespoke Coast to…

Gamelands Stone Circle
Gamelands Stone Circle

One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…

Cautley and Wendale
Cautley and Wendale

The course of the River Rawthey is followed closely by two routes. The A683 crosses it from…

Smardale Nature Reserve
Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

Nature reserve.

Baugh Fell and Knoutberry Hill
Baugh Fell and Knoutberry Hill

Sat in an isolated position at the junction of Garsdale and Uldale the high moorland peak of Baugh…

Car Park
Joss Lane Car Park, Sedbergh

Centrally located car park on the corner of Main Street and Joss lane. Public toilets located…

Summerhill
Summerhill
The Lodges at Artlegarth
The Lodges at Artlegarth

6 Exclusive luxury log cabins on a beautiful seven acre private grounds, each with its own private…

Rent Easy Camper Van Rental, Kendal
Adventure Leisure Vehicles

Camper Van rental, with a selection of HYMER vehicles available to rent, some of which are dog…

PrevPrev
  • 1Waitby School
  • 2Frostrow Fells and Dent
  • 3Eden Rivers
  • 4Coast to Coast Packhorse - Cycling
  • 5Woodclose Park - Holiday Homes for Sale
  • 6The Old Croft House
  • 7Stoneshot Car Park, Kirkby Stephen
  • 8Farfield Mill
  • 9River Rawthey and River Dee
  • 10Plato's
  • 11Sun Inn
  • 12The Copper Kettle
  • 13The Black Swan Restaurant
  • 14Adventure Leisure Vehicles
  • 15White Rose Classic
  • 16Coast to Coast Packhorse - Guided Walking
  • 17Gamelands Stone Circle
  • 18Cautley and Wendale
  • 19Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
  • 20Baugh Fell and Knoutberry Hill
  • 21Joss Lane Car Park, Sedbergh
  • 22Summerhill
  • 23The Lodges at Artlegarth
  • 24Adventure Leisure Vehicles
NextNext

I do not know a place more naturally divine

  • Where the Lakes meets the Dales
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