If you’re planning how to spend a day in Kirkby Lonsdale, you’ve come to the right place. This is the perfect town for a quick getaway. Beautifully unspoilt and set along the banks of the River Lune, Kirkby Lonsdale can feel like stepping into a time machine. While it proudly holds onto its historic charm, the town also has a vibrant community, with new restaurants and independent businesses popping up all the time.
Tom has been visiting Kirkby Lonsdale his entire life. His grandparents bought a house in Kirkby Lonsdale for their retirement, and then Tom’s parents moved in their retirement a few years ago. We spent long Summers here in 2023 and 2024 and it is a place we truly treasure as a family. It’s a perfect base for hiking in the Yorkshire Dales or exploring the Lakes. But it’s also well worth a visit in its own right, whether for a day trip or a weekend escape.
Jump to:
- Where is Kirkby Lonsdale?
- Where to Stay?
- Explore Kirkby Lonsdale’s Unique Independent Shops
- St. Mary’s Church
- England’s Loveliest Scene? Ruskin’s View
- Earn Your Next Pint by Walking the 'Radical Steps'
- Stroll Along the River Lune
- Take in Devil’s Bridge and Stop For Lunch
- Have a delicious Ice Cream at the Milking Parlor
- Stop For a Pint At the Royal Barn
- Where to Eat?
- FAQ’s for How to Spend A Day In Kirkby Lonsdale
- We hope you enjoyed our guide for how to spend a day in Kirkby Lonsdale.
Where is Kirkby Lonsdale?
Kirkby Lonsdale is nestled in the Lune Valley, right near the meeting point of the counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, and North Yorkshire. The town is easily accessible via the A65 or the M6 motorway (see directions here). The nearest train station is Oxenholme. From there it is just a short 15-minute taxi ride away.
Where to Stay?
This post is geared towards day trippers, but for longer visits there are plenty of accommodation options. For something special Absoluxe Suites offers luxury stays, although it comes at a price. When Elizabeth’s parents were visiting from Texas they loved their stay at the Sun Inn which blends charm with comfort and a great cooked breakfast. The Orange Tree offers nice rooms at a reasonable price. Platos and The Royal Hotel have rooms in the heart of the town. Be mindful of the season as places will book up during peak times.
Explore Kirkby Lonsdale’s Unique Independent Shops
Kirkby Lonsdale has long been a great destination for shoppers, with a wide range of independent shops all within easy walking distance. You’ll find everything from clothing and lifestyle stores to homeware, books, even a dedicated puzzle shop.
Dales Traditional Butchers is a nationally acclaimed butcher with a vast selection of award winning pies and meats. The sausages are world class and our son's favorite! The Sweet Shop is our kids' personal favorite, with plenty of delicious treats!
What sets Kirkby Lonsdale apart is that, despite growing in popularity as a tourist destination, it has avoided the usual tourist tat you find in many English towns. The shops retain a genuine charm and local character.
If you happen to visit on a Thursday, a weekly Charter Market takes over Kirkby Lonsdale’s beautiful Georgian square, selling local fresh produce, souvenirs, handmade goods, plants, and more.
St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church sits right in the heart of the town. A church has stood on the site since Saxon times, but the beautiful structure you see today was built in Norman times. Other architectural styles are seen around the church through the many renovations over centuries. The graveyard is kept immaculately by volunteers in the Church community (including Tom’s Dad!).
England’s Loveliest Scene? Ruskin’s View
A stone’s throw from St. Mary's Churchyard you’ll find Ruskin’s View, a stunning panorama of the Lune Valley and the most iconic viewpoint in Kirkby Lonsdale.
The scene was first made famous by an 1818 painting by J.M.W. Turner, and was previously known locally as 'Turner’s View.' But it has since come to be known as ‘Ruskin’s View’ thanks to the words written in 1875 where famed writer/art critic John Ruskin described the view as, “One of the loveliest scenes in England—therefore, in the world.”
Note:- you may have heard from somewhere or read online that Ruskin’s View is closed. Indeed in September 2021 they did close access due to concerns over erosion of the embankment. However, local campaigners raised enough money to reinstate the viewpoint in August 2024. When making a list how to spend a day in Kirkby Lonsdale this is top of the list.
Earn Your Next Pint by Walking the 'Radical Steps'
If you’re visiting with kids there is an octagonal gazebo right by Ruskin’s View. It looks a bit like a castle turret, and our kids love playing in it. Turn right at the gazebo and there is the entrance to the ‘Radical Steps.’ This steep stone staircase takes you to the bank of the River Lune. Our son has counted them often and has confirmed there are 86 steps. They are much easier to walk down than walk up. But be careful, as they are steep and can get a bit slippery on wet days.
Stroll Along the River Lune
At the bottom of the steps take a right and stroll along the River Lune. This tranquil path takes in lovely picturesque views, especially in the Spring and Summer. There are much longer walks and hikes you can do from Kirkby Lonsdale, but this is a short circular walk that will take you back towards the town center. The footpath is elevated above the river, but you can venture down to the rocky beach. Growing up visiting his Grandparents Tom spent countless hours skipping rocks and playing by the river with his siblings and cousins. During Summer months the river can get busy with families and sunbathers. People swim or kayak, and it’s definitely a spot for cold plungers year round. The water is usually clear enough that it’s even a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Note:- the footpath around the River Lune is stroller friendly, but it is next to impossible to wheel a stroller down to the actual River (trust us, we’ve tried).
Take in Devil’s Bridge and Stop For Lunch
As you continue your stroll along the Lune you will come to Devil’s Bridge, a monumental triple-arched structure and one of England’s finest medieval bridges. Historically, although the exact date the bridge was built is unknown, it is thought construction dates back to the 12th or 13th century.
Folklore surrounds the bridge, including a tale of local woman who struck a bargain with the Devil (you can read about it here). With its stone arches and idyllic riverside setting, the bridge looks like something out of a painting.
Today, the bridge doesn’t allow traffic, but it remains a popular rendezvous point for cross-country motor-bikers. Just across the road you’ll find a field with picnic benches, an ideal place to stop for a picnic. Or grab a sizzling bacon butty from Devil’s Bridge Snacks, a food truck that has been serving hot food and drinks for over 70 years.
Have a delicious Ice Cream at the Milking Parlor
Walk along the Bridge Brow and make your way along the footpath towards town. Take a left onto Jingling Lane, which leads into the town center. But first, make time for ice cream at The Milking Parlour. This artisan spot uses milk from the family’s farm just three miles away. When they say it’s made cow-to-cone, they actually mean it. The flavor selection is huge, with new creations popping up all the time. Honestly, it might sound like an exaggeration, but this is the best ice cream we’ve ever tasted. And we’re a little scared to add up how much we’ve spent here over the years.
Stop For a Pint At the Royal Barn
Kirkby Lonsdale has no shortage of pubs, all a short stroll from one another, and any one of them is a fine place to stop for a pint. But our favorite is The Royal Barn, home of the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery. This unique venue captures what Kirkby Lonsdale does best, keeping Kirkby Lonsdale’s ineffable classic charm, with a fresh local twist. There are over a dozen craft ales on draught. 'Singletrack' is the go-to for Tom and his Dad when they stop in for a pint.
Note:- For American readers. This is English-style hand-pulled ale rather than beer you’d typically find in a craft brewery. It is smoother, less carbonated (and far superior, if you ask Tom).
Where to Eat?
When you're planning how to spend a day in Kirkby Lonsdale you have a lot of choice when it comes to eating. The town has evolved into a great food destination. For a small town, it offers a surprisingly wide range of options. Here are a few of our favorites:
Avanti
Authentic Mediterranean fare and fresh pasta dishes served within an intimate ambience with a lovely outdoor courtyard for Summer days.
Platos
A varied, well-executed menu with beautifully presented dishes. They do a fantastic roast on Sundays.
The Sun Inn
Probably our favorite place to eat in town. For dinner they serve elevated British dishes. During the day they have smaller plates available. We love the haddock goujons and pork belly bites.
The Orange Tree
A solid choice for a more casual bite. Great kids’ menu and reliable pub-style food.
Number Nine
A cozy spot that offers creative dishes, cocktails, and a carefully curated wine list. Perfect for a date night.
Jingling Lane Fish & Chips
If you don’t want the fuss of sitting down to eat, grab fish and chips from the Jingling Lane chippy. It changed hands in 2024 but the quality is still solid.
FAQ’s for How to Spend A Day In Kirkby Lonsdale
Is Kirkby Lonsdale busy?
Kirkby Lonsdale is becoming more and more a popular tourist destination. On Bank Holiday weekends and school holidays, particularly if the sun’s out, it can get very busy in the town and by the river.
What’s the weather like?
This is the North-West of England, so there is always a possibility of rain. Showers, drizzle are common, but even on rainy days in the Spring and Summer there can be periods of sunshine. When planning how to spend a day in Kirkby Lonsdale our advice is prepare for rain, embrace the sun. Wrap up during the colder months, as ice and snow are not unusual. But typically the temperature will be above freezing temperatures.
Is it family-friendly?
Kirkby Lonsdale makes a great day out for families, especially with young children. Our kids love playing by the river, and there’s a fantastic playground near Booths supermarket with a zipline, giant slide, and a large area just for toddlers.
The town itself feels like something out of a storybook, with quirky houses and cottages, hidden alleyways, and even a few slightly spooky spots like Devil’s Bridge that spark the imagination. Tom loved visiting as a child, and now our kids love it too.
Is it dog friendly?
Kirkby Lonsdale is incredibly dog-friendly. Honestly, it might just be dog heaven. There are countless walks in the surrounding countryside, and dogs are welcome in nearly every pub and restaurant in town. The Sweet Shop even sells dog friendly Ice-cream.
Is there parking?
There are several options for parking. Depending how busy it is you might have to seek a space out. There is some parking in the Market Square which is ideal. If that is full there is parking on the outskirts on New Road, and near Devil’s Bridge that are just a short walk into town.
Are there public toilets?
There are public bathrooms available just off the Market Square towards Jingling Lane, and by Devil’s Bridge.
Can you swim in the river?
Visitors are free to swim in the river. On warm Summer days you will likely see plenty of people taking a dip.
Note:- some have been seriously injured jumping off the nearby rocks or from Devil’s Bridge. Please don’t do that, it is not safe!