Things to do in Appleby

Appleby-in-Westmorland, or more simply known as Appleby since 1974, is a market town overlooked by the Pennine Range in the Eden Valley. The name of Appleby comes from the Norse for ‘place with apple trees’. 

It is an attractive market town with a great deal of interest and charm, attracting visitors from near and far. Here are a few things to do during a trip to Appleby…

  • Appleby Castle 

Situated in the high end of Boroughgate in Appleby, the exquisite Appleby Castle is a 12th-century keep standing over the Eden valley since Norman times. The keep, known as Caesar’s Tower, has survived centuries of conflict in the region between England and Scotland, and then the English Civil War in the 17th century. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy stunning views of the Eden countryside. The castle was damaged after the war, but quickly rebuilt by Lady Anne Clifford who lived here from 1649 to 1676. Interesting internal rooms of the castle include the 15th-century Great Hall, which has a suit of armour worn by Queen Elizabeth I’s champion jouster George Clifford. Guests are welcome to explore the surrounding 25 acres of parkland, where you can see the Norman ramparts and 12th-century portcullis door, and walk through a beautiful yew tree corridor.

  • St Lawrence Church

The parish church of St Lawrence is Grade I listed and showcases a mix of Medieval architecture from different periods. St Lawrence’s was damaged repeatedly during Scottish raids and was restored by Lady Anne Clifford in 1654.  Older elements survive, like the base of the tower from around 1150 and the south porch, from the 13th-century, with an arch decorated with Early English dogtooth mouldings. In the west end under the tower arch stands St Lawrence’s organ; a gift to Appleby from Carlisle Cathedral in 1683 which contains parts dating from the 16th century, and is the oldest working English organ in the country!

  • Moot Hall

At the north end of Appleby’s uncommonly wide main street, stands the archaic Moot Hall, which has a plaque above the doorway dated 1596. On the south side of the building, there’s a quatrefoil plaque inscribed with 1179, to commemorate Appleby’s first written charter, and above this is a pretty bellcote on the gable.

The panelled council chamber survives inside and can be seen if you book an appointment, while at the north end you can drop by the Tourist Information Centre, which is a great resource for Appleby and the Eden Valley

  • St Anne’s Hospital 

St Anne’s Hospital was founded in 1651 by Lady Anne Clifford and stands at the high end of Boroughgate. In the 17th century, there were many beggars and ill people in need on the streets; this concerned Lady Anne Clifford and led her to build the hospital which is still in use today. The almshouses are built around a snug cobblestone courtyard with a pretty flowerbed and a fountain. Although the hospital is still in use, tourists can enjoy the courtyard and chapel during the day. In the chapel In the chapel are original 17th-century benches and reading desk, as well as the 10 Commandments, Beatitudes and Creed mounted on the wall. You can pick up a leaflet inside for more on the history of the alms houses, Lady Anne Clifford and Appleby in general/

  • Cycling

The town of Appleby is found on or near two long-distance routes making Appleby and the Eden Valley well-suited to cycling.Many of the unfrequented country lanes are on the National Cycle Network, while you can take pit stops at quaint old villages with welcoming pubs and local shops. Appleby is one of the southern starting points for the Pennine Cycleway (North Pennines), 150 miles to Berwick-upon-Tweed, winding through the Eden Valley, the North Pennines and the Northumberland National Park. The Sea-to-Sea Cycle Route (C2C) is 140 miles from the North West to the North East coast, and meanders along the Eden Valley via Penrith on the way to Alston in the North Pennines.