Eastern Treasures

Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard, and Alston Cheese. From here drive over the heather clad pennine landscape down towards Melmerby. Don't forget to treat yourself to a coffee break at the Village Bakery and try one of their delicious cakes. Let's take you off the beaten track, heading through the pretty hamlets of Ousby and it's 12th century St Luke's Church, the attractive village of Skirwith and Skirwith Abbey, Blencarn and it's Artist's Open Studio, Milburn a classic example of a medieval fortified village, Dufton a very attractive village on the Pennine Way and finally Appleby in Westmorland, which is a lovely place to stop for lunch.

Appleby is an attractive market town with a great deal of interest and charm. The remarkable Lady Anne Clifford devoted much of her time to restoring the neglected estates, castles and churches in the area. Here work is much in evidence at Appleby, - Appleby Castle was her home for a period of time. The Appleby Horse Fair, set up by charter in 1685 as a fair for horse trading, runs for a week in June, ending on the 2nd wednesday in June. Today it is world famous, the largest of its kind in the world, and attracting a huge gypsy gathering.

From Appleby take the road to Orton, Wainwrights 'Coast to Coast' walk passes through the village and over Orton Scar. One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle - some 100 yards in circumference. Although one of the largest in Cumbria, all of its stones have tumbled, and none is higher than one yard, so is infrequently visited, though access is easy. Don't forget to call in at Kennedy's Chocolate's. The shop, cafe and factory shop are open all year round. From our cafe you can see our chocolates being made first hand, and when your appetite is roused, you can sample some of the delicious home baking. From Orton take the pleasant drive to Ravenstonedale. This unspoilt picturesque village offers tranquility for discerning visitors. This hard working rural community with it's beautiful rolling countryside, peaceful country lanes and the nearby Howgill fells, is a must. Drive now through the centre of the Howgills towards the attractive market town of Sedbergh.

Sedbergh, with its old world atmosphere, is not only set in the magnificent western dales of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, but is also close to the rugged eastern fells of the Lake District.Sedbergh is famous for its public school, set in magnificent parkland on the edge of the town. There is a fine Norman church, St Andrew's Church, and overlooking the town is the site of Castlehaw, an ancient motte and bailey castle built to repel the Scottish hordes. George Fox, founder of the Quakers, preached both in the churchyard of St Andrew's, and in the nearby Brigflatts Meeting House, which dates from 1675. An interesting place for all the family to visit is Holme Farm, an open dales working farm with many rare breeds of animals. The Carlisle to Settle Railway runs through Dentdale and Garsdale, nearby.