Kirkby Lonsdale
Voted the best place to live in the North West in 2019 by The Times, Kirkby Lonsdale is a thriving market town on the banks of the River Lune.
Known for its elegant Georgian architecture and easy access to the Lake District, the town is an in-demand destination for families, professionals and retirees alike. Offering a relaxed lifestyle and close knit community, set against the backdrop of outstanding natural beauty, it is no wonder property in this quaint market town is so sought-after.
Location
Just 12 miles outside Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale enjoys an enviable position in some of England’s most unspoilt countryside. Located at the crossroads of three counties – Cumbria, Lancashire, and North Yorkshire – it provides an ideal base for outdoor adventures in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Forest of Bowland.
Kirkby Lonsdale is known for its picturesque rural charm. The view of the river from the town’s churchyard was painted by Turner and celebrated by Ruskin, who said ‘I do not know in all my own country, still less France or Italy, a place more naturally divine’.
Leisure and lifestyle
Outdoor pursuits and cafe culture create a delicious balance of relaxation and recreation in Kirkby Lonsdale. Just a stone’s throw from everything the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District have to offer, the town is a haven for anyone who enjoys hiking, biking, sailing, and exploring.
Kirkby Lonsdale and Casterton Golf Courses are just a short drive outside of town, and Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC is a great place for rugby lovers, whether you want to take part in the match or just the celebrations.
Shopping and dining
Kirkby Lonsdale’s popularity with cosmopolitan countryside lovers has seen the town transformed into a thriving hub of boutique shops, traditional country pubs, and independent eateries. Stylish North West supermarket brand, Booths, provides life’s necessities and little luxuries. Whilst nearby Kendal provides access to a wide range of high street chain stores and further independent outlets.
A weekly market in the elegant Georgian town square attracts stalls selling local produce, fresh bread and bakery, homewares, jewellery, and plants. The town also hosts a two-day Victorian festival each year.
Schools and services
This sought-after market town has everything parents need to raise a happy, healthy family. Both the local primary and secondary schools are within a short stroll of your new home, as is the local doctor’s surgery and supermarket.
The town’s secondary school – Queen Elizabeth’s - dates back to 1591 and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. For younger children, St Mary’s CofE Primary School is rated as ‘Good’, whilst Smile Day Nursery and Out of School Club is another ‘Outstanding’ facility.
Nearby, the independent Sedburgh School offers nursery, preparatory and senior schools, with boarding from prep-school onwards.
Transport links
The A65 connects Kirkby Lonsdale to Kendal and Leeds, making the town an ideal option if you’re a commuter who needs easy access to major roads. If you prefer public transport, there are regular local bus services to and from Kendal, Lancaster, Skipton, and Sedbergh. There are also two train stations within approx 20 miles: Lancaster and Oxenholme. 
Community
Kirkby Lonsdale offers a close knit community and enjoys much lower rates of crime and anti-social behaviour than the national average. It is a safe and friendly place to raise a family or enjoy retirement. Local sports clubs and community classes offer an excellent way to settle in and make friends for life.
History
Kirkby Lonsdale’s story has been shaped by Romans, Saxons, and Normans, and is one of only a few Cumbrian towns mentioned in the Domesday Book . It has a host of historic buildings from the 17th and 18th century, as well as the famous, ‘Devil’s Bridge’: one of the finest medieval bridges in England and a scheduled ancient monument.
