iKnow Lake District
- Alston
- Appleby in Westmorland
- Carlisle
- Hadrians Wall
- Kirkby Stephen
- Near Carlisle
- Near Penrith
- Around Shap
Kirkby Stephen Cumbria Tourist Information
Kirkby Stephen is right at the centre of the Eden Valley, easily accessed off the M6 via the A66 or the A686. Again you'll find Kirkby Stephen another charming market town in this area, with a market square encased by ancient collar of cobblestones, apparently bull baiting was once a popular sport on these cobblestones.
Many buildings have real historical significance, such as the Clisters built in 1810, which once served as a butter market. Check out Croglam Castle on the southern edge of the town which has examples of prehistoric earth works as well.
Kirkby Stephen and Pendragon Castle
In Kirkby Stephen Parish Church, built on the spot of an old Saxon church has many treasures inside including the eighth century Loki Stone. Loki was a Norse God and you'll see on the stone the carving is of a bound devil. Other hidden treasures include tunnels running under passageways which branch out from Market Square. These tunnels are thought to have provided shelter for women and children from many of the Scottish raids between 1250 and 1542.
They have a popular walking festival in Kirkby Stephen every May, and significantly Wainwright's 'Coast to Coast Walk' takes you through Kirkby Stephen, you need that real ale stop off!! Kirkby Stephen doesn't disappoint here, with lots of restaurants, pubs and inns and accommodation bases plus a few curio and antique shops thrown in. All this surrounded by the spectacular ruggedness of the North Pennine countryside.
Uther Pendragon, King Arthur's father, was reputed to have found and battled a large dragon-like serpent while in Cumbria, perhaps this was the reason he decided to found his kingdom in Mallerstang. Pendragon Castle, situated four miles south of Kirkby Stephen, is built on what's thought to be the site of Uther's castle, which would have been built some 600 years earlier.
According to legend, Uther tried to re-route the River Eden to create a moat for the castle. This castle has strong links with the Arthurian legend. Uther Pendragon was apparently poisoned in this castle.
