Appleby in Westmorland

Another sunny day (and very windy), so I decided to head to a town I’ve never visited - Appleby, the former county town of Westmorland.

I started at the castle, which has a twelth century keep (featured in the main image) as well as other impressive buildings and features. The owner is apparently Sally Nightingale, who acquired it in 2009 as an outcome of what seems to have been a pretty messy divorce settlement. It’s all on the market now for £9.5 million through Sothebys, and needs some significant investment. It could be a real jewel in the right hands.

I then had a look around the town, which is full of interest. I had a great lunch at the Appleby Hub, which occupies a former chapel - community run, and fantastic home cooking.

From the top of the castle keep there were great views of the surrounding country, and so after exploring Appleby I headed north to Dufton. I had an idea of heading up to Dufton Pike(the backdrop to the extra). I did set off, but decided after a while that I was being over ambitious, and returned to explore the village. That’s when I came across a group of morris dancers outside the Stag Inn, doing their thing (extra).

The Eden Valley is full of interest. I’ll be back.