Why You’ll Love: Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Freddie Patmore visits this quaint Cumbrian town
Where I went
I whisked my mum off on a leisurely trip up to Kirkby Lonsdale, which is at the southern edge of the Lake District, bordering North Yorkshire. It’s an adorable little town filled with fabulous boutique shops and laid-back bars and restaurants. I can’t recommend it enough!
What I did
Merging my love of hiking with my closet love of photography is my dream activity, so I decided to take a trip across the county border to the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail (ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk) in North Yorkshire. Its circular walk is only four and a half miles, so it’s not too strenuous, and carrying a camera or two isn’t hard to do. There are just a few steep and slippery bits to be mindful of.
It’s all worth it, though – some of the most awesome waterfalls I’ve seen in the UK are here in great number. It’s a thoroughly refreshing walk with magical scenery and dotted along the journey we had a fair few sightings of different wild birds, which you’ll love if you’re an avid twitcher like me.
What I ate
It is with great pride that I reveal to you I ate absolutely everything on offer! A treat on holiday is always on the top of my travelling to-do list, so following my nose to the local chocolate shop was an absolute must. Mum and I were spoilt for choice inside Chocolat (chocolate mine.co.uk) and hand-picking a selection of chocs for posh gift boxes to take home with us seemed to take a lifetime – we just couldn’t make up our minds. But, oh my, were they delicious!
Where I stayed
Our accommodation was right in the heart of the town, in the very cosy Sun Inn, which welcomes both humans and their furry canine companions to stay in their 11 upstairs rooms. There’s a friendly, inviting pub downstairs and tucked away behind it is Kirkby Lonsdale’s best-kept secret: the Sun Inn’s AA two-rosette-rated restaurant. We enjoyed four courses of incredible dishes, but I was dazzled by their crispy-skinned trout with samphire and smoked mussel veloute, and a cheeky banana parfait was delightfully light for afters. If you want a real foodie evening and a truly comfy room, get yourself to The Sun Inn.
Travel details
Kirkby Lonsdale is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest station is only three miles from the centre of town. Rooms at The Sun Inn start at £115 b&b per night for two people. Book at sun-inn.info.