Kirkby Stephen is a market town on the north west edge of the Yorkshire Dales, in Cumbria, served by the historic Settle to Carlisle railway line. It still has a market, a fine old church, a good selection of shops including antique shops. There are riverside walks by the River Eden which flows through the town.
The Coast to Coast long distance route for walkers passes through the town which makes it a good base if you would like to follow a section of this route.
One of the curious artefacts to see in Kirkby Stephen Parish Church is the Loki Stone which depicts the Norse devil, a creature of deception. This stone dates back to Viking times and is just one of two of its kind in Europe. The church is also known as the 'Cathedral of the Dales'.
A collection of cairns, the Nine Standards, is high on a fell above the town.
Places to visit near Kirkby Stephen:
- Pendragon Castle Poetry Circular Path with poems written by Meg Peacocke carved in stone and set at intervals in a walk along a walk beside the River Eden. Crackpots Mosiac walk in Nidderdale is based on a similar concept and adds interest to a good walk.
- Pendragon Castle associated with the legend of King Arthur
- Franks Bridge over the River Eden. There is a walk that starts in Kirkby Stephen, through the market square and over Franks Bridge all the way up Birkett Hill and eventually back to Kirkby Stephen.
- The Great Asby Scar Nature Reserve with one of the best examples of a limestone pavement is 10 miles north west from Kirkby Stephen and 3 miles from the village of Orton.
exchange
