Nearby & Landmarks

Dufton

Grid Ref : NY 690250
 

Dufton is a very attractive village three miles north of Appleby, in an area designated as of oustanding natural beauty (AONB).

Many old houses, some from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, border the rectangular village green, with its avenue of lime trees marching down the center.

It lies on both the Pennine Way and Cumbria Cycle Way. You can approach Cross Fell (the highest point on the Pennines) or High Cup Nick from here. At the head of this perfectly formed U-shaped Valley is one of the highlights of the Pennine Way, described by Wainwright as an ‘unforgettable sight’, a ‘natural wonder’. It’s perfectly situated for exploring the moorland of the North Pennines, or the green valleys of the River Eden.

Appleby

Appleby-in-Westmorland lies in a loop of the River Eden and is overlooked by the Pennine range with the Lake District Fells showing on the western horizon, just a few miles away. Appleby is also only 2 miles from the Western Dales extension in the Yorkshire Dales National park, so is an ideal base for a touring holiday.

The town is the starting point for dozens of walks in the surrounding fell countryside and along the River Eden.

It has kept its old world charm, and the people of Appleby are amongst the friendliest you can find. With the Castle and Norman Keep at the brow of the main street and the town at its foot, it seems as if time has stood still. A walk up Boroughgate can transport you back into Medieval England, while the charm of the riverside walk provides an opportunity to experience the tranquillity of the countryside within a few minutes of the town centre.

There are also a lot of pleasant countryside around and about, ideal for a few hours walk or an evening stroll. You can find more information our walking page – or you can just pick up a map and get going.

Appleby developed as the market town of Westmorland after the Norman Conquest, having a strategic position in the Eden valley. It is a picturesque market town with a great deal of interest and charm.

Appleby’s uncommonly wide main street, Boroughgate, has been described as one of the finest in England. It runs from the north end, by the Cloisters which were designed by Sir Robert Smirke in 1811, to the south end, by the Castle entrance.

At the north end is the Moot Hall, with a plaque above the door dated 1596. The Moot Hall is the home of the Town Council where the Town Clerk’s office is situated on the first floor next to the ancient meeting chamber where the Council still holds its meetings. On the ground floor is the Tourist Information Centre and exhibition room. The beginning and end of Boroughgate is marked by the ‘High Cross’ and the ‘Low Cross’. The High Cross bears the inscription ‘Retain your loyalty, preserve your rights’, and dates from the 17th Century. The Low Cross is an 18th Century copy. The avenue of mature lime trees, planted in the 1870’s is flanked by well-kept properties dating from the 17th to the 20th centuries, including Lady Anne’s Almshouses.