Things to see and do whilst you are on holiday at Bowber Head

Bowber Head is a wonderful destination in it’s own right, with the ability to have full day's out on the old buses but we are also a great base for touring the north of England.  We have fast roads and a wealth of little ‘off the beaten track’ lanes to investigate.  Below is some information which you may find useful when planning your holiday here.

Of course don't forget every Tuesday from Easter to October there's our own Cumbria Classic Coaches vintage bus excursion to Hawes
click here for the timetable and prices

For further information and leaflets on things listed below contact: Kirkby Stephen Tourist Information Centre,  Market Street, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4QN   Tel: 017683 71199

We are on the Coast to Coast long distance walk, the long Distance horse riding trail and the Cumbria Cycle Way.

Ravenstonedale official web site

Kirkby Stephen official website

Sedbergh official website

Excursions could include:
Alston via Melmerby Village with it's famous Bakery
Alston Lead Mines and South Tynedale Steam Railway
Blackpool
Hawes with its Rope Works, Dales Museum and Cheese Factory
Ingleton Falls and White Scar Caves
Northern reaches of the Lake District National Park  with all the wonderful mountains, lakes and villages
Southern reaches of the Lake District National Park, via Kendal
Nunnery Walks
Skipton with it’s market and castle
The Border Country with Hadrians Wall
The West Coast with it’s beautiful scenery and historic fishing ports
The Trough of Bowland
The Yorkshire Dales National Park 
Over Stainmore to Barnard Castle and Bowes Museum

Antique Shops abound in Kirkby Stephen

Art -Sculptures in the environment - Eden Benchmarks
‘Cypher Piece’ by Frances Pelly at Eden Bridge picnic site, Lazonby
‘South Rising’ by Vivien Monsdell on Lady’s Walk near Edenhall
‘Primrose Stone’ by Joss Smith near Bongate Mill, Appleby
‘Passage’ by Laura White in Stenkrith Park, Kirkby Stephen
‘Water Cut’ by Mary Bourne on Lady Anne’s Way, Mallerstang

Art - Sheepfolds
by Andy Goldworthy are at Mungrisdale, Raisbeck and Outhgill.  There will eventually be 9 ‘cones’  around the Kirkby Stephen area to connect with the Nine Standards Riggs cairs on Hartley Fell - which first gave rise to the ‘cone’ sculptures.

Bowls
Kirkby Stephen
Ravenstonedale Village
Sedbergh

Churches

All the villages have ancient churches and meeting houses of all denominations, which are a delight to visit.

Cycling

The myriad of little lanes around the villages of Eden are wonderful for cycling

Cycle Hire. McWhirter, Kirkby Stephen

Eating out
In the surrounding area there is a wealth of excellent choice of places to eat and drink; Indian and Chinese takeaways, fish and chip shops, tea shops, bistro, pub grub, restaurants and hotels catering for all tastes and pockets. 
A few of our favourites:
The Black Swan at Ravenstonedale
The Fat Lamb at Ravenstonedale
The Accoustic Bistro at Kirkby Stephen
The Mulberry Bush at Kirkby Stephen

Fishing
Information and Licenses available from the T.I.C.  Tel:  017683 71199

Bessie Beck Trout, Greenhead House, Newbiggin-on-Lune, Kirkby  Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4NT  Tel: 015396 23303

Golf
Appleby, Ravenstonedale (9 hole), Penrith, Sedbergh

Historic Sites - abound there are really too many to list 
Brough Castle
Castlerigg Stone Circle towards Keswick
Kirkby Stephen Parish Church - Loki Stone which dates back to the Vikings
Lacy’s Cave, Little Salkeld
Lammerside Castle - Accessible ruin dating back to 12th Century.
Long Meg and her daughters - Neolithic Stone Circle. If you count the stones twice correctly, they will come back to life the 68 or so stones makes this one of the largest circles in the country.
Lowther Castle, Askham
Pendragon Castle, Mallerstang - Legend tells that it was the home of Uther Pendragon, King Arthur’s father,
Shap Abbey and The White Monks!!
St. Oswalds Church, Ravenstonedale.  Beside the church are the foundations of a Gilbertine Abbey.  The last female burnt at Tyburn came from nearby Brownber.  The church was a sancturay to assure a fair trial,  if the accused could toll the bell once.
Stenkrith Park, Kirkby Stephen. - The Devil’s Mustard Mill
The flooded village of Mardale  which only emerges in dry summers
Wild Boar Fell.  The last Wild Boar in England is said to have been killed here.

Horse riding
D & P Equestrian Enterprises , Cautley,      Tel: 015396 20349
Hardhills, North Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4EX  Tel: 017683 41624

Nature
Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill, Nr. Temple Sowerby
Crossbank Nature Reserve, Rear of Fat Lamb Hotel, Ravenstonedale
Great Asby Scar Nature Reserve
Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Stenkrith Park, Kirkby Stephen

Open Farms
Eden Farm Friends, Row End Farm, Warcop,  APPLEBY, Cumbria, CA16 6PE  Tel: 017683 41524
Holme Farm Middleton, Nr. Sedbergh  Tel: 015396 20654
The Otter Trust, Vale House Farm, Nr. Bowes
Ostrich World, Penrith

Leisure Park
Lowther Leisure & Wildlife Park, Hackthorpe.  Tel: 01931 712523

Railway excursions  
Kirkby Stephen has a station on the famous scenic Settle/Carlisle line and it is an ideal centre from which to travel the line.  It is also a good idea to take the train to stations both north and south and walk back through beautiful and varied countryside. Of course, we can always meet your party at the Station with a vintage coach and take you on a wonderful excursion through Eden.

Shopmobility for disabled 
Kirkby  Stephen, Kendal, Carlisle

Swimming pools
Indoor
Appleby, Barnard Castle, Kendal, Penrith   

Tennis  
Kirkby Stephen, Ravenstonedale, Shap

Walking
Bowber Head is in the heart of the countryside with miles upon miles of footpaths and thousands of acres of common land with good access.  There are recognised trails and walks of various lengths aimed at countryside, villages, culture and history.  Leaflets available from the Tourist Information Centre  Tel: 017683 71199

Waterfalls
Aira Force, Cauldren’s Snout, Cautley Spout, Hellgill Force, Mallerstang, High Force