Kirkby Lonsdale is a small market town lying around 13 miles south-east of Kendal with a population of just over 2,000.
In 1875 John Ruskin, while admiring the view of the River Lune from St Mary’s church, declared that it was ‘one of the loveliest scenes in England – therefore in the world.’
Ruskin also visited the medieval Devil’s Bridge, a three-arched bridge crossing the River Lune that was reputedly built by the Devil himself. According to locals a woman separated from her cow by the river asked the Devil to build her a bridge. He agreed on the condition that he could have the soul of the first living creature to cross it. The cunning woman threw a bun across the river for her dog to chase, depriving the Devil of a human soul. At weekends it is a popular gathering spot for bikers.
On the first weekend of September Kirkby Lonsdale holds a popular Victorian Fair with street vendors and entertainers dressed in period clothing.