Map - Google
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 775088
The Cloisters.
The market town of Kirkby Stephen lies at the head of the Eden Valley, the source of which is in the Mallerstang Valley, to the south east. Kirkby Stephen was granted a market charter in 1361, and a lively market is still held on mondays.
On the southern edge of the town is the site of Croglam Castle, an example of pre-historic earthworks. Pendragon Castle, famed for its connection with King Arthur, is at Mallerstang.
Looking through the Cloisters to the Market Square.
The Market Square is surrounded by an ancient collar of cobble-stones, and has a number of buildings of historical and architectural significance. The Cloisters were built in 1810 between the Square and The Parish Church, with the intention of providing shelter for churchgoers and market people. Immediately through the Cloisters is the Trupp Stone, where tithes were paid until 1836. From the Market Square, many narrow winding passageways lead off. Some lead down to Frank's Bridge and the River Eden, where there is a pleasant picnic area.
Franks Bridge.
The Parish Church, known locally as the Cathedral of the Dales, was built on the site of an old Anglo-Saxon church, and contains many interesting relics, including the 'Loki Stone'. This is one of only two such stones in Europe.
About a mile and a half out of town is Kirkby Stephen Station on the Carlisle Settle Railway. There used to be another line through the town, The Stainmore Railway, from Tebay to Darlington, but this closed in 1962.
The Coast to Coast Walk, devised by Alfred Wainwright, passes through the town, which has many facilities to offer the visitor, including a large number of places to eat and stay. A video of Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk is available from Striding Edge.
Looking North.
Looking South.
The Market Square, and Franks Bridge over the River Eden.
The Parish church and the Market Square.
| The Temperance Hall, built 1865, with a statue of Temperance. | 
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Stenkrith Park, River Eden, Millenium Bridge, and the course of the Stainmore railway.
The Stenkrith Millennium Bridge.
The Northern Viaducts Round follows just over a mile of the former Stainmore Railway. Near Kirkby Stephen the Merrygill and Podgill Viaducts have been restored by the The Northern Viaduct Trust, forming the railway part of the walk, along with the award winning Stenkrith Millennium Bridge, which crosses the River Eden, providing access to the route from Kirkby Stephen.
Kirkby Stephen has a Kirkby Stephen Poetry Path - on the theme of 'A year in the life of a fellside farmer'. The Path was first suggested by Dick Capel of East Cumbria Countryside Project as a way of celebrating the landscape of the Eden Valley, after the Foot & Mouth epidemic highlighted the relationship between traditional farming with the familiar landscape and its wildlife.
Aerial photos and Temperance Hall photos by Simon Ledingham.
Related Links :
- Kirkby Stephen online.
- www.kirkby-stephen.com
- Wikipedia - Kirkby Stephen
- Open Directory - Kirkby Stephen
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