Enjoy a characterful stay in this charming Georgian townhouse

Kirkby Lonsdale is the perfect location for a well-deserved break – and Number Fifteen makes the ideal base from which to explore this picture-postcard South Lakeland market town. 

This beautifully restored guest house is situated on the town’s historic market square, flanked by stone-built cottages and quaint shops that showcase its handsome Georgian heritage. Inside, the décor reflects the property’s period charm while incorporating every modern convenience, making it a cosy and characterful retreat at any time of the year.

A smart dining snug can be found on the ground floor, leading off from the kitchen – perfect for lingering over a lazy brunch with the day’s papers in front of a crackling fire. Two well-appointed second-floor bedrooms – one double with luxurious en-suite and another double with exclusive access to a beautiful period-style family bathroom on the first floor – complete the guest accommodation.

You’ll find a tranquil courtyard to the rear – ideal for a quiet drink on a summer’s evening – and a useful washing and drying room in the basement where you can store your outdoor kit if you’re here on a walking tour.

We can also supply a parking permit (£50 deposit) that will allow you to park for free on dozens of car parks across South Lakeland, as well as in Kirkby Lonsdale itself.
If you’re ready to book a B&B in Kirkby Lonsdale, check out pricing and availability 

Visit Kirkby Lonsdale – the jewel of the South Lakes

Kirkby Lonsdale is on everyone’s holiday wish-list – and it’s easy to see why. This exquisite market town is jam-packed with charm and makes the perfect base for exploring both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Expect the best of both worlds: the vibrant buzz of town life with easy access to the picturesque countryside in every direction. 

Everyone who visits is captivated by Kirkby Lonsdale’s unspoilt character – so much so that it’s become a magnet for TV and film producers. An episode of ITV’s Poirot was shot here, as was the BBC’s recent dramatisation of Jamaica Inn. In 2018, scenes for a big-budget Hollywood movie – Dr Dolittle with Robert Downey Jr. – were filmed right outside Number Fifteen.

Amenities are close at hand; you’ll find a wide selection of independent shops within a few minutes’ walk. Stock up on treats at Booths supermarket, indulge your sweet tooth with authentic gelato at the ice-cream parlour or pick up a holiday read at the quirky local bookshop. If you’re in town on a Thursday, you can browse the stalls on the weekly market. There’s no shortage of cafes, bars and restaurants, either, so whether you want to sip home-roasted coffee, sample artisan gins or treat yourself to top-notch cuisine, you’ll find everything you need close at hand. 

Outdoor aficionados are well catered for. You can follow a number of walking or cycling trails straight from the door, while more opportunities for outdoor adventures can be found a short drive away in the fells and dales of the Lake District or neighbouring Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

Discover more places to visit and things to do below when you book a guest house in the Lake District.
 

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Things to do

Ruskin’s View

The art critic, painter and poet John Ruskin was one of Kirkby Lonsdale’s biggest fans, reportedly having said of it: ‘I do not know in all my own country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine’. If you follow the path through St Mary’s churchyard, you’ll soon arrive at a spot known locally as ‘Ruskin’s View’, although it was also captured in oils by JMW Turner more than two centuries ago. Largely unchanged, it offers panoramic views over the River Lune and beyond. Well worth a stroll on a fine evening.

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Devil’s Bridge

Just to the east of the town is one of Kirkby Lonsdale’s oldest attractions. Devil’s Bridge may date back to the thirteenth century and takes its name from a local legend. It’s claimed that the Devil himself built the bridge following a request from a local woman who couldn’t manage to persuade her livestock to ford the river. The Devil asked for payment in the form of the soul of the first body to cross the bridge. Unfortunately, the Devil wasn’t as canny as the old woman who threw a bun across which her small dog retrieved, so depriving the Devil of his payment. If you look closely, you can still see the Devil’s ‘handprint’ on one of the top stones.

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Events

Kirkby plays host to lots of annual occasions including a beer and music festival in May, a town-wide celebration of music in June, arts, food and culture events during the summer months, a famous bonfire on Guy Fawkes night and a popular Christmas Fair on the first weekend in December. You can find an up-to-date list of local events at the town’s official website.

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Historic Houses

There are plenty of historic houses and gardens to visit in the local area – Kirkby Lonsdale makes a great base for a sightseeing tour. The amazing topiaries of Levens Hall are reputed to be the oldest in the world have to be seen to be believed. Medieval Sizergh Castle (NT) is well worth a visit and makes a great day out for all the family. Leighton Hall hosts events including classic car rallies and outdoor performances of Shakespeare in the summer months.

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Exploring the wider area

Kirkby is really well placed for touring north-west Lancashire and South Lakeland as well as The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Just 15 minutes from Junction 36 of the M6, the town has great road links to Kendal to the north (20 minutes) and Lancaster to the south (30 minutes), both of which have west coast mainline rail links between Edinburgh/Glasgow and London. Lakeland resorts of Windermere and Ambleside make an easy day trip, as do the towns of Grange-over-Sands and Cartmel on the South Lakes peninsula.