cafe
Tan Hill Inn
Britain's highest pub at 1,732 feet in the Yorkshire Dales, a remote and atmospheric destination for drivers and walkers braving the wild moorland roads.
12 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Kirkby Stephen
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen works well as a base: 30 minutes from Appleby-in-Westmorland, 20km from B6270 Swaledale.
Kirkby Stephen is in England, United Kingdom, with about 1,500 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Appleby-in-Westmorland, about 15 km away.
Kirkby Stephen () is a market town and civil parish in Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria, England. It lies on the A685 and is surrounded by sparsely populated hill country, about 25 miles (40 km) from the nearest larger towns, Kendal and Penrith. The River Eden rises 6 miles (10 km) away in the peat bogs below HughRead more
Seat and passes the eastern edge of the town. At the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 1,895.
The name Kirkby derives from the Old Norse kirkju-býr meaning 'village with a church'. The Stephen part of the name is thought to derive from either the church (which may have previously been dedicated to St Stephen) or from a medieval abbot called Stephen.
Where to Stay in Kirkby Stephen
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kirkby Stephen?
Within an hour or so of Kirkby Stephen: Tan Hill Inn (12 km), Buttertubs Pass (16 km), High Cup Nick (17 km), B6270 Swaledale (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Kirkby Stephen?
The nearest famous roads are Buttertubs Pass, B6270 Swaledale and A684 Wensleydale (Sedbergh to Leyburn).
Where is Kirkby Stephen?
Kirkby Stephen is in England, United Kingdom, about 15 km from Appleby-in-Westmorland.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,522
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.4723, -2.3487
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Kirkby Stephen
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
mountain pass
Buttertubs Pass
A high, narrow Dales road over the moors, named for deep limestone potholes and ranked among Britain's best drives.
16 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
High Cup Nick
A perfect U-shaped glacial valley in the North Pennines rimmed by dolerite columns, reached by a walk from Dufton.
17 km · about 20 min drive
famous road
B6270 Swaledale
The narrow dale road from Richmond to Nateby past Gunnerside and Keld, drystone walls and barns the whole way.
20 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Hardraw Force
England's highest unbroken above-ground waterfall at 30m, reached through the Green Dragon Inn at Hawes.
20 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
A684 Wensleydale (Sedbergh to Leyburn)
A flowing dales road along the Ure past Hawes, linking to Buttertubs and the Ribblehead country.
21 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Hawes
The highest market town in Yorkshire, home to the Wensleydale Creamery and the Dales Countryside Museum.
21 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
High Force
A 21m waterfall where the Tees drops over the Whin Sill dolerite, one of England's most powerful falls.
22 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Kirkby Stephen
15 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 16 kmButtertubs PassA high, narrow Dales road over the moors, named for deep limestone potholes and ranked among Britain's best drives.
- 17 kmHigh Cup NickA perfect U-shaped glacial valley in the North Pennines rimmed by dolerite columns, reached by a walk from Dufton.
- 20 kmB6270 SwaledaleThe narrow dale road from Richmond to Nateby past Gunnerside and Keld, drystone walls and barns the whole way.
- 21 kmA684 Wensleydale (Sedbergh to Leyburn)A flowing dales road along the Ure past Hawes, linking to Buttertubs and the Ribblehead country.
- 28 kmWhernsideThe highest point in Yorkshire at 736 m, forming the long whaleback ridge above Ribblehead Viaduct.
- 35 kmHartside Pass (A686)Voted one of Britain's best drives - a sweeping climb to 580m out of the Eden Valley with a panorama to the Lake District and the Solway.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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