Kirkby Lonsdale Cumbria, Lune Valley, Tourist Information Yorkshire Dales UK

Kirkby Lonsdale and the Lune Valley

Kirkby Lonsdale (which is actually just in Cumbria), once the centre for the headquarters of the Women's Co-operative Guild under Margaret Llewelyn Davies - is packed with craft shops, inns and the renowned Devil's Bridge. This area provided inspiration for artists like Turner and Ruskin.www.kirkbylonsdale.co.uk

• West Dales Accommodation
• West Dales Hotels

Kirkby Lonsdale Fairs & Devil's Bridge

Kirkby Lonsdale hosts many fairs, including a Victorian Fair in the first week of September every year and a Christmas Fair.

One of the most interesting sights in the area includes the medieval Devil''s Bridge which spans the river in three ribbed arches, and is a scheduled ancient monument. Turner painted landscapes of the area - including the best known 'Ruskin's View'. Ruskin was pretty impressed with the area, as are the numerous bikers that congregate at the bridge if the weather is fine.

• West Dales Guest Houses
• West Dales Holiday Cottages

Kirkby Lonsdale Shopping

People come from far and wide to shop in Kirkby Lonsdale. Many of the shops are listed buildings and offer arts, crafts and specialist shops to please the most discerning of shoppers

Kirkby Lonsdale has been a winner of the 'Britain in Bloom' competition - 18th century inns in the town are just one of the many attractions on offer!

• Bed and Breakfast West Dales
• West Dales B&Bs

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.

• West Dales Holiday Apartments
• West Dales Hotels

Kirkby Lonsdale & Kirkby Stephen Tourist Information Centres

Kirkby Lonsdale Tourist Information Centre, 24 Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2AE. Tel. 015242 71437.

Kirkby Stephen Tourist Information Centre, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4QN. Tel. 017683 71199.

• Holiday Cottages in the West Dales
• B&Bs in the West Dales of Yorkshire