Appleby-In-Westmorland: Discover History on the Eden

Appleby-In-Westmorland combines a distinctive river landscape with an unusually large number of historical traces. The town lies in a loop of the River Eden; at the same time, buildings, monuments and traditional events lead right into the history of Westmorland. Anyone wishing to combine culture, nature and active stages on a trip will find various starting points here for planning each day.

The Eden and the historic townscape

The River Eden winds through Appleby and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. This protected status is part of the local landscape history and makes the river an important point of reference when finding your way around the town. When planning your trip, you can therefore weigh up a culturally and historically focused stay against excursions into an environment shaped by the river, without having to separate the two interests.

Appleby Castle is listed as a Grade I building. The Parish Church of St Lawrence is also a Grade I-listed church dating from the 12th century and represents the town’s long development; later additions and restorations form part of its architectural history. The church also contains funerary monuments to Lady Anne Clifford and Margaret Countess of Cumberland. Visitors interested in English aristocratic and ecclesiastical history will find specific themes here that can be combined well with exploring the town.

Buildings with special details

Moot Hall is one of the few early town halls that still serves its original purpose of conducting the affairs of the borough. St Anne's Hospital offers a different impression: the complex comprises 13 almshouses arranged around a paved courtyard, with a small chapel in one corner. These different architectural functions make Appleby interesting even if you want to understand not only individual sights but also the development of a historic town.

A striking detail in the townscape is Appleby Bridge. The present double-arched structure dates from 1889. High Cross, erected around 1670, provides a complement to it. The inscription “Retain your loyalty, preserve your rights” refers to its historical significance; cheese was sold at the stepped base. Low Cross was created in the 18th century as a replica of High Cross. Together, the two crosses tell of public life, trade and memory in the townscape.

Horse Fair and cycling trip

A special feature of the annual calendar is the Appleby Horse Fair. It is an annual gathering of Gypsies and Travellers in Appleby in Westmorland and lasts for a week at the beginning of June, from a Thursday to the following Wednesday. If you would like to experience this event, you should explicitly take the period into account when planning your trip. Outside this period, the historic character of the town remains the central point of reference for your stay.

For active days on holiday, it is also important that Appleby lies on the Sea-to-Sea Cycle Route. Cyclists can therefore plan the town as part of a longer tour, while those interested in culture can focus on other priorities. The Appleby Tourist Information Centre has an exhibition room with displays by local craftspeople, providing another thematic introduction to the town.

Appleby as a starting point for finding accommodation

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is first helpful to ask which experiences should shape your stay. For historic buildings, the town centre and the Appleby Horse Fair, travelling by train is a specific point of orientation: from Appleby station, both the event grounds and the town centre can each be reached in ten minutes on foot.

If the Sea-to-Sea Cycle Route or the river landscape is the focus instead, your preferred pace of travel should determine your choice. Appleby brings several interests together in one place: history, a clearly recognisable connection with the Eden, a traditional event and a long-distance cycle route. This allows you to choose accommodation according to whether your stay is to be shaped primarily by culture, a special June event or active days of travel.

Further town pages are available for planning your trip: Kirkoswald, Carlisle, Crosthwaite, Staveley, Wigton, Windermere, Bouth and Westward.

To the main travel overview: Cumbria.