Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, Summer
Of all the times I’ve visited Kirkby Lonsdale, I’ve never thought to properly photograph it.
So… welcome to Kirkby Lonsdale! This historic town, situated on the edge of Cumbria near the borders of both Lancashire and North Yorkshire, was where my lovely Lisabet grew up. Kirkby is a truly beautiful place, which has attracted a lot of money in recent decades. Quite the difference compared to its more humble origins.
Kirkby Lonsdale is one of the few Cumbrian towns mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 AD, where it was recorded as Cherchibi (“village with a church”). This would suggest the presence of a very old church, which is indeed the case. The earlier construction was rebuilt by the Normans in the 12th century, and parts of the church, now known as St. Mary’s, still survive from this era.
The town gained a market charter in 1227 AD and an outdoor market has been held on Thursdays ever since. This long-held tradition of trade and markets is evident in some of the street names in Kirkby Lonsdale, such as Horsemarket and Swinemarket.
After a particularly lazy start to our Sunday, we ventured around Lisabet’s home town and the surrounding countryside to get some miles under our belt and some photographs in our cameras. The day was another glorious summer fare.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two of my prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 and a Laowa 9mm f/2.8. The images were 80% made in-camera using a customised Velvia film simulation, with minor edits afterwards in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.
This is Devil’s Bridge, with more people swimming in the Lune than I’ve ever seen before in Kirkby Lonsdale. The bridge was built around 1370 AD, probably by the monks of St. Mary’s Abbey in York. It once carried traffic over between Skipton and Kendal, but was closed to traffic in the 1930s as it was too narrow for modern vehicles.
So many people swimming in the Lune and enjoying the Cumbrian summer. Some more respectful of the environment than others.
This part of the Lune around Devil’s Bridge is very popular for outdoor swimming, owing to its easy access, deep pools, and clear water.
People of all ages, genders, and races were enjoying a paddle and a swim in the river. And why not.
The verges of the riverside were lush with flowers and vegetation.
We took the riverside trail alongside the Lune, heading towards the Radical Steps.
This point marks the end of the riverside trail. The Lune was very low, which afforded us with some excellent reflections to photograph.
Heading up the Radical Steps. They lead down from the churchyard of St. Mary’s church to the riverside. Built in 1820 for a Dr. Francis Pearson, who had apparently developed a reputation as a political radical, the steps were constructed to divert the footpath away from his garden.
The view that John Ruskins once described as “one of the loveliest views in England, therefore in the world” (lol, funny man). It is a nice view, I’ll grant him that. It became famous after J. M. W. Turner painted it.
If Ruskin’s View is looking northeast, then this is the view southeast from the same spot. I would argue that it’s more interesting, especially as you can often make out the flat top of Ingleborough (723 m/2,372 ft) in the distance.
The riverside trail towards Underley has some rather beautiful trees.
The last of this year’s blossom of rhododendron. Pretty but invasive, and has a tendency to take over a woodland.
Out of the woods and into the open countryside, heading towards Underley. A rather perfect tree helped make this composition easy. If you were to draw any tree, this would be that tree.
Lisabet and I spotted some seriously massive bracket fungi on some of the trees on the edge of the riverside trail.
This tree would be a little harder to draw from memory, but only because of how fantastical its shapes and twists are.
This is the Underley Business Centre, revamped after a £250,000 investment with the Underley Estate. But once it was the Underley Works and Home Farm, workshops for more than 100 tradesmen who were employed on the estate, from foresters to joiners.
A new footpath connects Underley Business Centre with Kirkby Lonsdale, helping pedestrians to keep out of the road. Happily, it also offers lovely views towards the Barbondale Fells.
Roughly halfway between the Underley Business Centre and Kirkby Lonsdale is this gorgeous little building, so out-of-character compared with the rest of Kirkby.
A little bit of internet investigation reveals that this is Underley Lodge, a former gatehouse to the Underley Estate, now private tenanted accommodation.
The old primary school, St. Mary’s. This was also where Lisabet spent her primary school education. In fact, during her last year at primary school there, she spent a good chunk of it helping staff move books from this building to the site of their new school.
Another one of Kirkby’s famous scenes. This is the view down Mitchelgate towards Gragareth (628 m/2,060 ft).
Looking down Market Street from the bottom of Mitchelgate. Kirkby town centre is bonny.
St. Mary’s Church, probably the oldest building in Kirkby Lonsdale and ultimately what gave rise to the town’s name.
Parts of this church have survived since its Norman construction in the 12th century.
St. Mary’s churchyard is well-maintained and packed with flowers and trees alike.
The view down Mill Brow, which was once the industrial heart of Kirkby Lonsdale.
Halfway down Mill Brow is this incredible house. This is the Old Manor House, or 14 Mill Brow, most of which was built in 1700s (though apparently there are elements of the property that are older).
Looking south down Main Street, the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale town centre. Relatively few people about, but then I suspect that’s because most folk were swimming in the Lune.