1hr from Preston / Kirkby LonsdaleKirkby Lonsdale. From Preston; 20 miles north on the M6 then 20 miles north-east from Lancaster on A roads. Passing Hornby Castle and a couple of other nice villages. A small gentrified agricultural town on the east edge of Cumbria on the border of both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Close to Ingleton with its caves and falls. Flowing on one side of the town is the River Lune which is spanned by two elegantly styled stone bridges. One bridge called Devils Bridge is now prohibited to traffic and is a favoured stopping place for day trippers and motor cyclists. Park your car in the truncated road on either side of the bridge. Enjoy a cup of tea and snack at the snack bar, caravan. Walk either towards Casterton down the narrow country lanes and onward towards Dent. Visit Barbon Church and continue on the narrow road on the side of the fell to KL. Alternatively follow the river towards the town and climb the 90 steps to the churchyard to enjoy 'Ruskins View' along the Lune Valley. Another route is along a pedestrian way into town. The town has a short main street with stone houses, shops and cafes. There is a market square at one end and the churchyard at the other. Just a pleasant English type of stroll, neither exciting nor dull. A two hour walk around the other side of the river, an hour in the town and churchyard, a small lunch, home. |
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Kirkby Lonsdale. Looking down over the River Lune on a misty day. Ruskins view from the churchyard. |
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St Mary the Virgin church, Kirkby Lonsdale. One of the seven Anglican churches of the Parish of Kirkby Lonsdale. Dating from the 12th Century and set overlooking from on-high the River Lune. The seven churches call themselves the Rainbow Churches; St Mary the Virgin - Kirkby Lonsdale, St Bartholomews- Barbon, Holy Trinity - Casterton, The Holy Ghost - Middleton, St Peter's - Mansergh, All Saints - Lupton, St John's - Hutton Roof. |
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Kirkby Lonsdale Devils Bridge across the Lune. A good cup of tea and a bacon sandwich just to the left. Motorcyclists delight. Look out for Neil Jackson of Nether Kellet on his Harley speedbike. |
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Downtown Kirkby Lonsdale. |
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The passage to the church has the Church Mouse Cheese shop on the left and the Sun Inn on the right. The back of the Sun Inn has a recently refurbished cafe/restaurant with access next to the church gate. Here is its the cheese shop Christmas cheese stall at the side of the shop. Well known for the quality of its cheese and the pianist who plays while you browse. It is a nice shop so I don't mind promoting it a bit> http://www.churchmousecheeses.com/ Quote: John and Julie are the proud owners of Churchmouse Cheeses. Having to cancel their honeymoon hardly sounds like a recipe for success, but when the bride-to-be broke her leg the only suitable celebratory getaway seemed to be a few days in the small Cumbrian village of Beetham. Whilst on a day trip to nearby Kirkby Lonsdale they spotted an empty 18th Century listed building and it was here that their dream began. John quit his job in the city as a financial adviser, spent a blissful three months travelling around Cumbria sourcing quality produce and opened Churchmouse Cheeses on the 7th of September 2002. This elegant shop is now an Aladdin’s cave of fine cheeses, both local and international. |
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Downtown Casterton. Highway curve turn left to Settle, right to Kirkby Lonsdale. |
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The fellside route to Barbon after Casterton. |
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Sheep massing ominously. |
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St Bartholomews church, Barbon. A good walk via Casterton and along the fellside. There is a pub in Barbon but it's a small place with a nice church. |
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Holy Trinity church, Casterton. Next to Casterton School, boarding. Nice golf course at Casterton as well. |
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First Uploaded 25th October 2001
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