Situated In Kirkby Stephen in the beautiful Eden Valley
Kirkby Stephen is situated in the Upper Eden valley, nestling under the Western edge of the Pennines. There is a regular market here held on a Monday, with a biennial Jacobean market held in October. There is also a Vintage Commercial vehicle rally held at Easter. Alfred
Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk was recently voted the second most popular long distance walk in the world, only beaten by the Great Wall of China.As well as the Coast to Coast walk, there are many lovely walks in the area, both in the Pennines, or around the Eden Valley.
The town's name comes from two Saxon words, kirk,
meaning a church, and by, a town. Stephen came from the name
of the saint to whom the church was dedicated.
Evidence of the town's Danish past can be seen in the "Loki
Stone", a metre high carving of the Norse God, complete with horns which
dates to AD850. Loki is an important figure in Scandinavian mythology whom
caused the death of Odin's son and was imprisoned underground in chains. The
stone now rests in the Christian St. Stephen's Parish Church at the west end
of Kirkby Stephen. The Loki Stone is one of only two such stones in Europe.
The Eden Valley has a fascinating history and there are many
heritage sites worthy of a visit, including Neolithic Stone Circles, Bronze
Age Settlements, Ancient Churches and Historic Houses to name but a few.
Take time to discover the hidden treasures that the area has to offer.
