Today’s Walks
Strenuous Leader : Andew Mayer Distance: approx. 10 miles
We leave Kirkby Stephen via Frank’s Bridge heading to Hartley quarries and over Hartleys Fell. We climb up to Nine Standards Rigg (cairns) at a height of 662 metres on a well stoned path. We descend to Ladthwaite and onto Nateby from where we walk along the River Eden back to Kirkby Stephen.
Moderate Leader : Hazel Anderton & Ruth Melling Distance: 8 miles,
For the first mile or so we go up a lane following the Coast to Coast walk, going past extensive Hartley Quarries and Birkett Hall. Sorry it is a road, the footpath has been swallowed up by the quarry, but it is a very quiet road and has good views. Look out for low flying jets rather than cars! We turn off over farmland to a farm called Ladthwaite, then follow Ladthwaite Beck bringing us to a lovely wood and past Ewbank Scar, a gorge. We make our way to Nateby, taking in a stretch of the dismantled railway as far as Skenkrith Bridge and, sorry, a short stretch along a lane to the village. We turn and make our way back to Kirby Stephen across fields and along the river bank.
Leisurely Leader : Norma Carmichael Distance: 5 miles
1. It is my intention to try and complete a 5 mile walk, hopefully visiting the poetry trail and calling into Hartley village, heading towards Nateby. The paths are flat most of the way and there is some road walking on even paths, Not much hill walking.
2. I have visited this area twice to complete a walk and it is not clearly signposted.
3. Your support therefore for the walk Is appreciated.
Easy Leader : Derek Lee Distance: 5 miles
We will circle round the west of the town on field paths to Jubilee Park at the southern end of the town (2 miles), with its ‘pavilion’ atop a small hill, ideal for lunch. Then south again, mostly on hard surfaces, to Nateby (3 miles) where we might be tempted by the village inn and coffee shop. We turn homewards on bridleways, stony and muddy in parts. To the Millennium Bridge at Skenkrith Bridge with its view over the raging river, then on field paths through Skenkrith Park, passing several of the ‘Poetry Path’ stones, before finally re-entering the town over Frank’s Bridge.
We will circle round the west of the town on field paths to Jubilee Park at the southern end of the town (2 miles), with its ‘pavilion’ atop a small hill, ideal for lunch. Then south again, mostly on hard surfaces, to Nateby (3 miles) where we might be tempted by the village inn and coffee shop. We turn homewards on bridleways, stony and muddy in parts. To the Millennium Bridge at Skenkrith Bridge with its view over the raging river, then on field paths through Skenkrith Park, passing several of the ‘Poetry Path’ stones, before finally re-entering the town over Frank’s Bridge.
Notes On The Area
First impressions of Kirkby Stephen suggest that it is larger than it really is, but this overgrown village lacks any real depth, and its eastern boundary in particular is sharply defined by the River Eden. In the opposite direction, low fell pastures begin to rise only a short distance from the town. The town was built for defence against Border raiders, and has narrow. high-walled passages and spacious squares into which cattle could be driven in times of trouble.
The market square is surrounded by a ring of cobblestones which demarcate the area used until 1820 for bull baiting, a sport which ended after a disaster which followed when a bull broke free. The square is also flanked by a number of buildings of especial importance, notably the cloisters, built between the church and the square in 1810, to provide shelter for churchgoers and market people. The money to build the cloisers came from a bequest from John Waller, a naval purser, who was born in the town. The cloisters were also used for a butter market.
The Church of St Stephen, known locally as the Cathedral of the Dales, bears traces of Saxon and Norman handiwork, and Dalesfolk have worshipped on this site since Saxon times. In the former county of Westmorland the church was second in size only to Kendal, and boasts a long stately nave and 13th century arcades. Until the early part of the 20th century, a curfew bell was still rung each evening from the 16th century church tower. The church contains the Loki Stone, named after a Norse God. The stone dates from the 8th century, and depicts a bound devil. It is one of only two such stones in Europe.
On the southern edge of the town is the site of Croglam Castle, a prehistoric oval enclosure with a ditch and external bank. Also on the outskirts of town, notably at Wharton Hall, are excellent examples of strip lynchets and strip farming.