Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Summer
In most seasons, Kirkby Lonsdale is lovely.
But during summer, it’s impossibly pretty.
The last couple of weeks my focus has primarily been helping the Better Half recuperate after double Carpal Tunnel Relief surgery, hence the lack of content on this website. But, with the removal of stitches on the horizon, a gorgeous weekend was looking promising, so we made our way to beautiful Kirkby Lonsdale for a gentle walk around the town and its environs.
It’s hard to take a bad photo of Kirkby.
All photos taken on my Sony α7ii, using my Sony 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS zoom and Rokinon 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC prime lenses. RAWs developed in Lightroom, edited in Photomatix, and finalised in Photoshop.
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Summer by Ian Cylkowski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
One of the more iconic views of Kirkby Lonsdale, shot from near the top of Mitchelgate. Some of these cottages have been standing here since the late 17th century. Interestingly too, large parts of Mitchelgate in the early and mid-1900s were considered slums, and there was talk of taking some of these buildings down.
On the right, the Sun Inn, which has been around since the 1600s at the intersection of Market Street and Church Street. It retains a lot of its original features such as the overhanging first floor support by these huge limestone pillars.
This little area down Red Dragon Yard and Mill Brow is known as Swine Market because, historically, that’s what this area was. The pillar structure is the Old Market Cross, formerly located at the junction of Main Street, Market Street, and Mill Brow. It was relocated to Swine Market in 1822. The steps and crowning ball were a later addition.
Opposite Swine Market is a small road known as Horse Market because, again, historically this is what it was. Some of the houses down here still have horse insignia on plaques above their doors; again, some of these houses have been around since the late 1700s.
Tucked away from Mill Brow, Red Dragon Yard, and Horse Market is this gorgeous old property. I can’t find mention of it anywhere on the world wide web. The stone panels on the first floor have intricate masonry decorations too. I wonder what the history of this property is.
Looking down Mill Brow as it steepens, another wonderful view opens up towards Gragareth (627 m / 2,057 ft). Historically this fell formed the boundary between the West Riding of Yorkshire and Westmorland; there’s still a drystone wall up there that follows the old county boundary.
Another classic Kirkby Lonsdale view: Old Manor House on Mill Brow, with the Leck and Barbondale fells in the distance. And of course, during the summer, the House’s gardens burst into colour.
Old Manor House dates from around 1700, probably incorporating parts of an older structure.
Around Devil’s Bridge, cows were chilling and gently grazing on the full pastures around the river. A proper bucolic scene I wanted to capture.
Kirkby’s famous Devil’s Bridge, dating from around the 12th or 13th centuries. For centuries this was one of the few bridges for miles that crossed the River Lune. Nowadays modern traffic is diverted over Stanley Bridge from where this photo was shot. On a hot summer’s day you’ll always find people milling about the bridge, jumping into the river (even though they shouldn’t) and genuinely enjoying the natural delights around here.
From Devil’s Bridge, people swim and play in the river, and picnic on the rocks. What better way to enjoy a gorgeous summer’s day?
Stanley Bridge from Devil’s Bridge. Stanley Bridge is now what carries motor traffic over the Lune.
We took the riverside path along the Lune. Near the island, where the Lune temporarily splits in two, we stopped and hushed as we spotted a Grey Heron across the river. It was carefully watching the water, so I happily zoomed in tight and made a few compositions of this magnificent bird.
Further along the Lune and set back from the river, Lunefield Farmhouse demands your attention. A 19th century stone-built former coach house, it’s now been restored as holiday accommodation for up to 8 people.
At the end of the riverside path before heading up the Radical Steps, glassy reflections in the Lune make me stop and nab a composition of this trio of trees.
Up and beyond the Radical Steps, I equip my 14mm ultra-wide lens and frame this composition of St. Mary’s Church using the old gateway. Parts of the church date from Norman times.
Near where we parked our car, just outside of town, is Underley Lodge, a former gatehouse to the Underley Estate, now private tenanted accommodation.