The vibrant market town of Kirkby Stephen is perhaps best known as the midpoint for Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast walking route. Loved by walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts alike, Kirkby Stephen is not only a natural stopping point for those walking past, it also serves as a gateway to a whole host of gorgeous surrounding villages and fells. Sprawling along the River Eden, the town is perfectly located to explore the many sights nearby and welcomes visitors with a warm local community vibe.
Whether walking through or using Kirkby Stephen as a base, this lovely town is a friendly place to stay and has plenty to keep the entire family entertained. Below are some of the highlights in and around Kirkby Stephen, although there are many more besides. Treat this list as an introduction to the area – we know you’ll be back to discover more!
In Kirkby Stephen
1. Stainmore Railway Company
Kirkby Stephen East Station is a heritage railway station in Kirkby Stephen, once a major hub along the Stainmore steam railway route that crossed the Pennines. After closing to traffic and freight in the 1960s, the railway fell into disrepair before the Stainmore Railway Company was set up in 2000 to restore the station, track, yards and trains.
Now you can visit Kirkby Stephen East Railway Station at weekends and learn more about the railway in the small museum and see the trains, carriages, workshops and various restoration projects. Entry is free and on special event days you can even ride on the steam trains, for an additional fee. For anyone interested in the railway roots of Kirkby Stephen, a visit here is a must.
2. Settle to Carlisle Railway
Along the same theme as above, is the Settle to Carlisle steam railway. This scenic rail route is one of the most picturesque in the country – 72 miles of beautiful landscapes, ancient viaducts and mountain tunnels as it travels from the Yorkshire Dales to Carlisle, passing the Lake District and North Pennines on the way.
Kirkby Stephen Train Station is just south of the town, and from here it is 55 minutes north to Carlisle, or 30-45 minutes to the Yorkshire Dales stops of Ribblehead, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Settle. The ride alone is well worth a return trip, but exploring the nearby towns on foot is an added bonus. If you’re into steam trains, Settle to Carlisle is the line to watch, with regular heritage locomotives passing and special excursions available through the summer months.
3. Platform 3 Kirkby Stephen
Families with young children can enjoy a whole day at Platform 3 Play. This huge soft play has a large indoor play area and a smaller outdoor area, with sections suited to different ages. A small café on site serves drinks, snacks, lunches and cakes and there is parking available too. If the weather is wet or you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids for a few hours, this is a wonderful place to visit and let them loose.
4. Stenkrith Park
Hidden by the southeast corner of Kirkby Stephen is Stenkrith Park. A wild woodland where the River Eden drops into a gorge forcing the water through small spaces, you’ll find some fantastic rock formations here. A short walking trail (approx. 1.5 miles) winds its way through the park that’s perfect for little legs, although not for pushchairs or wheelchairs. At intervals there is poetry carved into the rocks with verses matching the nearby landscape. The poetry trail is a lovely little walk and those into geocaching will find a cache hidden in the woods here.
5. Northern Viaduct Walk
The Northern Viaduct walking trail is a circular trail that begins in the town and is one of our favourite Kirkby Stephen walks. Starting at the market square in town, walk across Frank’s Bridge to the Merrygill Viaduct. Follow the trail south past Podgill Viaduct and back through Stenkrith Park and along the river to end up back where you started. This route is approximately 4 miles long and a wonderful walk that explores the closest viaducts to Kirkby Stephen. A great way to spend a morning or afternoon. Take a picnic and stop along the way or end up at one of the lovely Kirkby Stephen cafés for refreshment afterwards.
6. Kirkby Stephen Craft and Food Producers Market
Held on the first Saturday of every month, Kirkby Stephen market can be found in the Masonic Hall and Silver Street Gardens from 9am – 1pm. With produce, plants, gifts, treats, crafts and booze, make sure your visit coincides with market day so you can stock up on all sorts of locally made goodies.
Outside of Kirkby Stephen
7. Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Smardale is a small village approximately 2 miles west of Kirkby Stephen, outside of which is Smardale Nature Reserve. From a small car park along the road, an accessible ramp leads up to a gate where you can pick up the path to Smardale Viaduct that follows the old railway line. It is 1.5 miles to the viaduct, and you can continue on or turn back as preferred. Red squirrels and rare butterflies can be spotted in the reserve which is a mixture of ancient woodland and limestone grasslands. The views of the viaduct and the surrounding countryside are simply stunning and it’s a great place to walk dogs on leads.
8. Brough Castle
Approximately 5 miles north of Kirkby Stephen are the striking remains of Brough Castle. Situated on the site of a Roman fort, the ruins overlook the dramatic Stainmore Pass and are an impressive sight. Managed by English Heritage, it’s free to enter the well-preserved castle ruins, and anyone with an interest in local history will enjoy learning about Lady Anne Clifford and her family seat.
Exploring the site will take an hour or so, and a real bonus is Brough Ice Cream Parlour and Tearoom opposite. Selling homemade ice cream, milkshakes, cakes and light meals, the café is super popular. You can enjoy your treats at picnic tables scattered around the castle ruins.
9. Nine Standards
Four miles southeast of Kirkby Stephen, high atop Hartley Fell are the Nine Standards. These mysterious nine stone cairns lend their name to the summit, Nine Standards Rigg (650m) which is part of many Coast to Coast routes. You don’t have to walk the Coast to Coast path to see these awesome cairns though. Head along the route up towards Hartley Fell and you’ll spot the iconic landmark high along the ridge.
No one knows how old the cairns are, who built them or why, but they are periodically repaired as their exposed position erodes their structures. Measuring between 2-4m high, some are conical, one is pyramidical, one stepped and one square. Walkers looking for spectacular scenery and a quirky landmark to aim for should seek out Nine Standards Rigg.
10. Winton Park Kirkby Stephen
Last on our list is Winton Park. Former farmland turned landscaped lusciousness, Winton Park Gardens are stunning leisure gardens overlooked by Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang Edge. Open periodically on Sundays from spring to summer, these beautiful English gardens incorporate sculptures, waterfalls, ponds, trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders. They’re a truly magnificent place to visit for anyone with an interest in gardening. Find light refreshments available to buy here and plants for sale.
Where is Kirkby Stephen?
Kirkby Stephen sits just south of the North Pennines National Landscape, northwest of the Yorkshire Dales and east of the Lake District. With so many beautiful areas nearby to explore, it’s no wonder this little town is popular with walkers and cyclists.
You can reach Kirkby Stephen via the A66, turning south at Brough, or from junction 38 of the M6, heading east. The spectacular location and picturesque outlook of the town ensure that once discovered, it’s the kind of place people return to.
Why Hill House Winton makes the perfect base
The unassuming village of Winton is just a mile up the road from Kirkby Stephen, easily walking distance away but there is a local bus service between the two if preferred. Pleasingly pretty stone houses line the road, with a small park in the middle of village green, outside The Bay Horse Winton, an excellent country pub. Winton makes a fantastic base for exploring Kirkby Stephen, the Eden Valley and the beautiful national parks and landscapes nearby. Whether you’re planning walks in Kirkby Stephen or travelling further afield from here, the village makes a wonderful place to retreat home to afterwards.
Our luxurious holiday cottage boasts all the modern comforts needed for an enjoyable stay. With three stylish bedrooms, a spacious dining kitchen and a large outdoor terrace, the cottage is ideal for families, friends and couples. Dogs are also welcomed, and they’ll love the wide open space here. Get in touch with us directly to book your stay and fall in love with this gorgeous place.