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My river map is not entirely accurate as some minor roads are not shown.
for anybody considering a trip to the Lune I suggest buying an Ordnance
Survey map.
General information about Sedbergh.
The town was listed in the Domesday Book as Sedberge. A charter to hold a tuesday market
was granted in 1251 but in recent times it was altered to Wednesday. Main Street is the
oldest part of town. Sedbergh used to be part of the West Riding of Yorkshire but in
1974 it was stolen by Cumbria.
One market day in 1653 a follower of George Fox (founder of the Quaker movement) was
preaching at the Market Cross and his words upset the crowd who attempted to push him over
and in doing so broke the cross. That was the end of the cross!
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St. Andrew's Church.
Founded in the 12th century. A new roof was installed in 1784 and there was a
major restoration in the late 19th century.
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Sedbergh School.
Founded in 1525 by Roger Lupton. There was a hiatus during the Reformation but it
was re-endowed in 1552 as Sedbergh Grammar School. It is now a well known public school.
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Lincoln's Inn Bridge.
Built in the 17th century. From the name one might expect it to be something to do with
an Inn of Court and barristers. In fact it was named after a man by the name of Lincoln
who had an inn nearby.
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Ruskin's View.
Named after John Ruskin who described the view as one of the loveliest in England.
The scene was painted by J. M. W. Turner.
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General information about Kirkby Lonsdale.
A busy little market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The town is largely Georgian full of interesting alleyways and courtyards.
The old market cross is thought to be 600 years old.
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St. Mary's Church.
The church was built between 1093 and 1130 over an anglo-saxon site.
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Devil's Bridge.
It is thought that the bridge was built in the 12th or 13th century.
It is scheduled as an ancient monument.
Caravan at Devil's Bridge. Does the best bacon sandwich in England. The tea is pretty
good too. A popular venue for keen motorcyclists and most Sundays there will be at least
a 100 riders; the caravan doing a roaring trade.
The bridge gets it's name from the legend of an old woman who was unable to take her
cattle across the river. She decided to ask the Devil to build a bridge, which he did
on condition that he had the soul of the first creature to cross. However, the woman
was crafty and threw a stick across the bridge for her dog to collect. Cheated of a
human soul the Devil was not best pleased and disappeared in a rage. It is said that
the dog collar was left behind and can be seen to this day in the river below. I must
say I have never seen it.
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Hornby village.
Often figures in the awards for The Best Kept Village.
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St Margaret's Church.
The unusual octagonal tower was built early in the 16th century after the victory
at the battle of Flodden Field. There was extensive rebuilding between the years
1817 and 1889.
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Hornby Castle.
There was a Roman villa on the site. The present castle was believed to have been
founded at the time of the Norman conquest, but most of it is more recent
being built early in the 19th century. Sir Edward Stanley the victor of the battle of
Flodden Field (Scotland) in the 16th century was owner of the castle and was created
Lord of Monteagle by Henry VIII as a reward for his efforts. Due to deaths in the family
the Monteagle title became extinct in 1696.
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Penny Bridge
The present bridge was built in the late 19th century and opened in 1883.
The previous structure was a toll bridge built in 1806 but collapsed for some
reason in 1881.
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General information about Lancaster.
This is the county town of Lancashire and it was raised to the status of city in 1937.
The town was important to the Romans, and the first fort was built on Castle Hill in the
first century AD during the period Agricola was governor of England.
In 1193 John, the brother of Richard the Lionheart, granted a charter to hold a market
and fair. There is a market here to this day.
In 1322 there was a raid from Scotland by Robert the Bruce and part of the town was burnt
down.
In 1349 the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) arrived and killed about 3000 which was over half
the population.
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Roman Bath House and Wery Wall remains.
The remains were excavated in the 1970s. The bath house is from the 3rd century AD and
the site includes part of the Roman fort from the 4th century AD.
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Priory and Parish Church of St. Mary.
The site had a Roman fort in the first century AD.
A Roman church was built on here about 200 AD and a Saxon one was built about 600 AD
The present church was founded in 1094 by Roger of Poitu (one of those dreadful normans).
Most of the building was constructed between 1380-1430.
In 1414 during the reign of Henry V it was given to the Briggitine convent of Syon in
Middlesex. In Henry VIII reign, after the dissolution of the monasteries, the priory
was allowed to remain as the parish church. The present tower was erected in the 1750's.
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Judges Lodgings Museum.
The building is thought to be the oldest town house in the city. It was the home of
the witch hunter Thomas Covell who caught the so called Pendle Witches, imprisoned them
in the castle and had them executed in 1612.
It was used as a temporary home for visiting judges attending the Lancaster Assizes
between 1775-1975.
The house is now a museum which has samples of furniture made by the famous cabinet
makers Gillows (subsequently Waring and Gillows). There is also a museum of childhood
including an Edwardian school room.
Waring and Gillows closed in 1961 after
trading from early in the 18th century. The firm fitted out several ships including
the The Queen Mary.
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Lancaster Castle.
This really is a prime site for defensive purposes with extensive views down the Lune
Valley. The romans had a fort there in the first century AD. The present castle was
built in the 14th century. In 1643 during the Civil War the castle was held by the
Royalists but later taken by the Parliamentarians. In 1648 it was besieged by the Royalists.
Imprisoned here were the Pendle Witches and George Fox founder of the Quaker movement.
Part of the castle is used as a prison. The castle is owned by the Queen as the Duke of
Lancaster (shouldn't it be Duchess).
There are guided tours (not where the prisoners live) including the dungeons and
the drop room (where hanging took place).
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Friends Meeting House.
Built in 1708 but Quakers (Society of Friends) have worshipped on the site since 1677.
George Fox founder of the Quaker movement preached at the Priory Church in 1653 but the
congregation was so enraged by what he said that they pelted him with stones all the way
down to Church Street. Christian Charity!
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Lancaster Market Square and City Museum.
The museum used to be the town hall and was built in 1781. The building includes
exhibitions of archaeology, social history and local arts and crafts. It is open six
days a week and admission is free.
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