Appleby sits in a loop of the River Eden and its attractive tree-lined main street known as Boroughgate is marked at each end by the High and Low Crosses.
Dating back to Viking times and granted a royal charter in 1179, Appleby was for several centuries the county town of Westmorland. With the creation of the new county of Cumbria in 1974 the town's name was changed to reflect its past heritage.
To one end of town is Appleby Castle, now in private hands, and at the other, the beautiful Church of St. Lawrence containing one of the oldest surviving organs in the country. The black and white Moot Hall in the centre of town houses the Tourist Information Centre and Appleby's award-winning station on the Settle to Carlisle railway line is just a few minutes walk from the town centre.
Lady Anne Clifford, the daughter of the Earl of Cumberland, was a lady of great determination and energy and played a major part in the shaping of Appleby during the 17th Century. After inheriting her father's estates she began a programme of restoration and Appleby Castle became her favourite home. You can visit the lovely courtyard of St. Anne's hospital, a group of almshouses just off Boroughgate.
In 2006 a new sports centre opened in Appleby and there's an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre too. Visitors are welcome to play tennis, squash and bowls at the local clubs and the 18 hole golf course is one of the most scenic you'll find!
Appleby lies at the heart of the Eden Valley and is an excellent centre for exploring the surrounding countryside. The town is on the Pennine Cycleway and nearby is High Cup Nick, a favourite local walk up into the Pennine hills. There are some lovely villages to visit near Appleby like Dufton on the Pennine Way, with its pretty cottages set around the village green, views of the Pennines and popular Youth Hostel.
The Appleby area offers accommodation for all tastes from country house hotels to homely guesthouses, farmhouses and self - catering properties dotted around the various villages. Cafes, inns hotels and bistros offer a wide range of fresh food, much of it locally produced and there are some interesting small shops to explore.
Further Information on Appleby and Surrounding Area
