Kirkby Stephen

A 'Walkers are Welcome' Town

Surrounded by spectacular scenery, the ancient market town of Kirkby Stephen in the Upper Eden Valley enjoys an enviable position between the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks. The town is also close to the North Pennines National Landscape.

Kirkby Stephen was Cumbria's first "Walkers are Welcome" town and winner of the prestigious title of Calor® "English Village of the Year", the town makes an ideal base for exploring not only the local area but further afield. 

Kirkby Stephen which has a station on the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway line, about 1.5 miles west of the town offers a good choice of places to stay including Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs), Hotels, self catering accommodation and a popular Youth Hostel. There's a good selection of places to eat too.

In summer the town is vibrant with floral displays and attractive gardens - helping to make Kirkby Stephen a Cumbria in Bloom winner. 

This is excellent walking and cycling country and the area has an amazing range of flora and fauna, with four nature reserves within a 5 mile radius of Kirkby Stephen. Around the town are a number of attractive villages - Winton, Hartley, Nateby, Soulby, Ravenstonedale and Newbiggin-on-Lune - some within walking distance. Whatever the time of year, you'll find peace and quiet, wide open vistas and nature at its very best. 

You may even see parrots belonging to a local Conservation Charity flying about the town sometimes - keep a lookout for them on roof tops and chimneys!