Huzzah! For some of us of a certain age bus travel is now free. Ann Sandell has the lowdown on some choice local destinations. In fact they're so good it's even worth buying a ticket if you're young enough to need one ...

We've got it, let's use it

With a Stagecoach service to Kendal having been saved from extinction, we should use it. No doubt you are all familiar with Kendal shopping centre but have you thought of trying something a little more adventurous on a fine day.

Past the station and just 4 miles along the route over Ash Fell you drop down into Ravenstonedale, stop off for a wonder around.  There are two shops, two pubs, St. Oswald’s Church with the remains of a Gilbertine Abbey built about 1200, and Low Chapel, High Chapel local history centre and the Riverside Golf Course all set in some very pretty lanes.  See the section in Kirkby Stephen Online or visit www.ravenstonedale.com.

Newbiggin-on-Lune has a delightful conservatory tearoom at Lune Spring Nurseries and nearby is Bessy Beck’s Trout Fishery, somewhere for the lads to hide from the Mrs. 

Viaduct

For the more energetic, cross the A685 and walk in the Smardale Nature Reserve where the rare Scotch Argus butterfly hides.  There are circular routes back to either village or straight through to Smardale past the magnificent lime kilns and over the splendid disused viaduct, part of the Northern Viaduct Trust.  Local bridleways are the old roads used until turnpikes were built in our area from 1761.

Again for walkers and nature lovers, alight at the Fat Lamb Inn, 2 miles from Ravenstonedale and after a swift pint in the bar walk in their Crosssbank Nature Reserve.

Go a little further along the road to the common where you will find Street signposted, this is an old Roman Road as the name suggests. At Street Farm you will find Stonetrail Horseriding Holidays if you fancy a ride out on some of our beautiful local bridleways.

When the bus route misses out Ravenstonedale, you can get off at the end of Tommy Road and walk over the top to Pendragon Castle in Mallerstang and back to Kirkby Stephen through the valley past Wharton Hall.

The next place of note is Fell End, lovely walking country at the back of Wild Boar Fell where legend tells us the last wild boar in England was killed. This can be accessed from the end of the common where the old Kirkby Stephen Quarries are with lime kilns. Walk the length of this quiet road through Cold Keld and Fell End and come out back on the A683 at Rauthey Bridge by the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary.

Over the bridge and on to Cautley where refreshments are served at the 400 year old Cross Keys Temperance Hotel for walkers especially visiting Cautley Spout, a 580 foot waterfall that cascades down from a high plateau called the Calf.

Sedbergh

The Howgills affectionately called sleeping elephants or hippos because they are rounded in shape are a famous walking area.   Cautley to Sedbergh is a popular walk but we stick to the A685 and the bus, we soon arrive at Sedbergh. A pretty town with narrow streets, flagged and cobbled pavements famous for Sedbergh School and now England’s Booktown. You will find lots of book shops, small and large to browse working up an appetite for afternoon tea in one of the cafes.

Wednesday is market day and on the last one of the month there is a farmers’ market in summer.    Look out for Festivals and special events. www.sedbergh.org.uk

If you get off at the beginning of Sedbergh you can turn down the Garsdale road and walk to Fairfield Mill, a long mile plus private drive but well worth the walk.  Built in 1836 as water powered woollen mill it has been beautifully restored as an arts and heritage centre with craft workshops, exhibitions, shop and café.  Included in your entrance fee is a heritage exhibition, turbine, Whitney blanket loom and costume display.  Free for children.

On the other side of Sedbergh on the A683 Kirkby Lonsdale road about 2 miles out, is the Brigflatts Quaker Meeting House  (ask the bus driver to drop you at the nearest point).
This beautifully preserved building dating from 1675 is one of the oldest Society of Friends houses in the country and has original fittings.  A lovely calm place to rest after your walk.

Stained glass

Another unusual place of worship which is worth a visit is St. Gregory’s Church, built by Frances Upton of Ingmire Hall in 1860.  It is located about 1½ miles out of Sedbergh on the A684 Kendal road (where the bus goes).  It is renowned for the unusual stained glass window with scenes from nature and its Waring and Gillow woodwork.

Whilst not exactly a tourist destination, Oxenholme is a very convenient for changing to the West Coast mainline with trains as far as Cornwall and Scotland as well as Euston, London.

Then there are always the Kendal shops.  The bus goes into Kendal past the Hospital and Asda supermarket before entering the town past the College and Abbot Hall Museum and Art Gallery.

So all in all the 684 Kendal service can give you a great variety of days out, something to suit everyone and lots for the more energetic or adventurous. Bus timetables and further information is available from the Tourist Information Centre or see www.visitcumbria.com