Home > Attractions > Cumbria > Kirkby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

An attractive market town at the head of the Eden Valley, Kirkby Stephen boasts a 12th century church known as the Cathedral of the Dales. Within the church is the Loki Stone, an 8th century figure of the Norse god Loki in chains, as well as memorials to the Musgrave family (see Edenhall). To the south of Kirkby Stephen is Pendragon Castle, reputed home of Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur, but in actual fact a Norman stronghold.

Although there was a Roman presence in the area, we do not know of a settlement here until the Danish period in the 10th century. By 1090 the name of the town was recorded as Cherkaby Stephen, though there is no indication of where the 'Stephen' comes from (it is not, as is sometimes mentioned, the dedication of the parish church). The word may come from the Saxon term 'stefan', or moor, in which case the name would mean simply 'Place of the church on the moor'.

Whatever the provenance of its name, today Kirkby Stephen is a prosperous looking place. The central core is a conservation area, with mainly 18th and 19th century buildings grouped about a small market square. Off the market square is the parish church, reached via a small decorative cloister.

In Vicarage Lane is the Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, founded by the 1st Lord Wharton, whose grandiose tomb can be seen in the Wharton family chapel of the church. 17th century Frank's Bridge is a local landmark. This was a 'corpse bridge', used to allow access for mourners carrying coffins to the church in Kirby Stephen from neighbouring villages. You can still see stones on the end of the bridge where bearers rested the coffins. The bridge is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a prisoner from Hartley Castle who drowned in the river.

Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England

About Kirkby Stephen
Attraction Type: Town
Location: On the A685 4 miles south of Brough
Location map
OS NY776089
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Kirkby Stephen Church - 0.1 miles (Church) Brough Castle - 3.3 miles (Castle) Mallerstang Dale - 3.5 miles (Countryside) Pendragon Castle - 4 miles (Castle) Rutter Force - 7.2 miles (Countryside) Eden Valley - 7.6 miles (Countryside) Gamelands Stone Circle - 8.5 miles (Prehistoric) Appleby Castle - 8.7 miles (Castle)

Nearest Towns and Villages Appleby - 7.6 miles away Muker - 11.4 miles away Hawes - 13.5 miles away Askrigg - 16.1 miles away Edenhall - 19.5 miles away Aysgarth - 19.7 miles away Kendal - 19.9 miles away Penrith - 20.8 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Kirkby Stephen

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Low Mill - 0.1 miles from Kirkby Stephen Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £300

North Road - 0.4 miles from Kirkby Stephen Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £190

Low Mill - 0.5 miles from Kirkby Stephen Kirky Stephen, Cumbria Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £300

More Self Catering near Kirkby Stephen

Nearest Hotels

Fat Lamb Country Inn and Restaurant - 0.3 miles from Kirkby Stephen Ravenstonedale, Cumbria Stay from: £54.00

Black Bull Inn - 0.4 miles from Kirkby Stephen Kirkby Stephen, Yorkshire Stay from: £50.00

The Bay Horse Inn - 1 miles from Kirkby Stephen Winton, Yorkshire Stay from: £30.00

More Hotels near Kirkby Stephen

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Royal Oak Inn - 8.7 miles from Kirkby Stephen Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria From: £49.00

Marton House - 12.2 miles from Kirkby Stephen Long Marton, Cumbria From: £70.00

Rowleth End - 13.9 miles from Kirkby Stephen Gunnerside, County Durham From: £80.00

More bed and breakfasts near Kirkby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen
Tourist Information Centre
Market Street
Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
England
CA17 4QN
Tel: 017683 71199
Fax: 017683 72728
Email: ks.tic@eden.gov.uk
Seasonal opening
Map