appleby in westmorland...

The ancient market town and royal borough of Appleby, in the heart of the Eden Valley, is the focal point for many outlying villages and hamlets. Its traditional shops and indoor market provide for every requirement, whilst the riverside is perfect for a casual stroll or picnic. For the more energetic there is an indoor swimming pool, gym and fully equipped sports centre. The town also enjoys good road connections, with easy access to the A66 and the M6. Occasional buses depart for Penrith, Kirkby Stephen and Kendal. For rail users, Appleby is on the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway with a station a few minutes walk away from the town centre.

To the east lies the North Pennines AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Cross Fell is the highest point on the Pennines at 893 metres (2930 ft) with the distinctive conical peaks of Knock, Dufton and Murton pikes jutting up from the edge. To the west a rim of limestone rock forms a gently shelving escarpment edge.

The valley floor is occupied by the Eden River and its tributaries (River Lyvennet and Hoff Beck) and the fertile riparian lands have long attracted settlers. The Romans marched through this valley between Carlisle and Brough (building a fort at Kirkby Thore), whilst the Vikings were drawn to the rich grazing lands around the river and founded the first settlements of Temple Sowerby, Bolton, Appleby, Great Ormside and Sandford.

To the south-west of Appleby, the river Lyvennet and its tributaries wend their way towards the Eden near Temple Sowerby, spawning a number of small villages in their wake: Crosby Ravensworth, Mauld's Meaburn, King's Meaburn, Morland and Cliburn.

On the Pennine flanks are the fellside villages of Milburn, Knock, Dufton, Long Marton, Murton and Helton, whilst on the western limestone edge are the twin villages of Great and Little Strickland.