Raygarth

Raygarth sits in the Lune Valley near Kirkby Lonsdale, a handsome market town that straddles the borders of Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire. It is a small, low-key spot rather than a destination in its own right, but that is very much the point: it puts you within a short drive of Ruskin's View, the Yorkshire Dales, the southern Lake District fells and the Forest of Bowland, without the crowds or the price tag of the honeypot villages further north.

The surrounding landscape is classic limestone country, with the River Lune cutting through wooded gorges and open pasture, dry-stone walls climbing the fellsides, and a scattering of stone-built villages that have changed little in appearance for generations. It is a base for people who want to walk, cycle and explore rather than queue for an attraction, and its position on the edge of three counties means a genuinely varied day out is always close at hand.

Top things to do near Raygarth

Kirkby Lonsdale and the wider Lune Valley punch well above their weight for things to see and do.

• Devil's Bridge — a scheduled ancient monument dating from the 14th century, spanning the River Lune with three graceful stone arches; a popular spot for riverside walks and picnics.
• Ruskin's View — the sweeping view over the Lune Valley from the churchyard of St Mary's that so impressed the critic John Ruskin, and which J.M.W. Turner painted in 1822.
• Kirkby Lonsdale Charter Market — a weekly Thursday market in the town's Market Square selling local produce, plants and handmade goods, alongside a good run of independent shops, cafes and galleries.
• Ingleton Waterfalls Trail — a roughly five-mile circular walk through ancient oak woodland a few miles down the A65, taking in a series of waterfalls on the Rivers Twiss and Doe.
• Yorkshire Dales National Park — the southern fringes of the Dales, including the limestone scenery around Ingleton and Sedbergh, are within easy striking distance for walking, caving and cycling.
• Casterton Golf Club — a par 68 course just outside Kirkby Lonsdale, with a nine-hole par 3 course and driving range for less serious golfers.

Getting to Raygarth

The area is well placed for road travel: the M6 passes close to Kirkby Lonsdale, with the town roughly a ten-minute drive from the motorway, making it an easy stop for anyone heading into the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales from the south. The A65 and A683 provide the main routes in and out, connecting to Skipton and Kendal respectively. The nearest railway stations are at Oxenholme, on the West Coast Main Line, and Lancaster, both of which have regular services from London, Birmingham and Scotland, with onward taxi or bus connections into the valley. Kendal, the nearest larger town, is around 20 minutes away by car.

Best time to visit Raygarth

Late spring and early summer, from May to July, bring the longest days and the driest conditions for walking and camping, along with the Lune Valley's hedgerows and woodland at their greenest. September and early October are also rewarding, with quieter roads, mellow autumn colour along the river and reasonable weather for exploring the Dales. Winter is markedly quieter still, with some seasonal campsites closed, but it can be a beautiful time to see Devil's Bridge and the surrounding fells under frost or low winter sun, provided you come prepared for cold, wet conditions.

Where to stay near Raygarth

Accommodation options cluster in and around Kirkby Lonsdale itself, ranging from traditional coaching inns and B&Bs to self-catering cottages in the surrounding villages of the Lune Valley. Those wanting easier access to the Lake District proper tend to base themselves slightly further north around Kendal, while others prefer the Yorkshire Dales side around Sedbergh or Ingleton. Booking ahead is worthwhile in summer, when the town's modest supply of rooms fills up quickly with walkers and cyclists.

Food and drink near Raygarth

Kirkby Lonsdale has built a strong reputation for its food scene relative to its size, with a good number of independent cafes, bakeries and restaurants around the Market Square. Pubs in the surrounding villages serve solid, unpretentious food built around local produce, and the Thursday Charter Market is a good source of local cheese, meat and baked goods if you are self-catering nearby.