Today, it is a picturesque market town enjoying a milder, drier climate than most of Cumbria. Appleby's unusually wide main street, Boroughgate, has been described as one of the finest in England. This thoroughfare, an avenue of mature lime trees planted in the 1870s, runs from the North end of the town (the location of the main shopping area which has been the town's market since 1174 and also the of the Cloisters, designed by Sir Robert Smirke in 1811) to the South and the entrance to Appleby Castle. The beginning and end of Boroughgate are marked by the "Low Cross" and the "High Cross," the latter bearing the inscription "Retain your loyalty, preserve your rights," which dates from the Seventeenth Century. The "Low Cross" is an Eighteenth Century copy. These Crosses mark the original boundaries of the market. Appleby can claim its beginnings from the time of the Celts, Romans and Vikings. Around 1092, the town was given by King William II to Ranulph de Meschines, who was chiefly responsible for Appleby's development as a centre for trade and administration of the surrounding area. He was also responsible for the Castle in addition to establishing fortifications at Brough to the South and Brougham to the North, both garrisons being built next to former Roman forts.

The site of Appleby Castle has been an important defensive position since the Romans built a signal station here between 150 and 200 AD; the station overlooked the Roman road between York and Carlisle. Around 1092 William Rufus started the building of a Motte and Bailey Castle with timber buildings to help protect newly installed English colonists (the area was under Scottish control for about 150 years prior to this). Between 1100 and 1120 Ranulf “le Mesquin” completed the earthworks and built the first stone tower. After briefly returning to Scottish control, the town was regained by Henry II and given to the Hugh de Morville - who later took part in the murder of Thomas Beckett, and lost his estates when he supported a rebellion lead by Henry’s son (1173). Further turmoil sees the Castle fall into Scottish hands again, and is regained once more by Henry. On this occasion it is granted to Thibault de Valognes, he rebuilt the curtain walls in stone and heightened the keep (known as “Caesars Tower”). In 1189 Richard the Lionheart returned the Castle to the Crown, and built a bridge over the moat. In 1203 the Castle was given to Robert de Vipont, nephew of de Morville, it remained in his family for the next 100 years. At this time the Castle started a long and illustrious association with the Clifford Family. One of the most important being Lady Anne Clifford, who began major restoration work in the middle of the 17th Century, her tomb can be seen in the Church of St. Lawrence at the opposite end of Boroughgate. Today, the future of the Castle remains uncertain, for many years the grounds were open to the public as a wildfowl centre, but more recent plans to develop the site have been blocked and unfortunately (at the time of writing) the Castle is closed to the public.

Other attractions in Appleby include the Church of Saint Lawrence, which contains one of the oldest surviving organs in the British Isles, and the Grammar School which was attended by the half-brothers of George Washington. In addition, there is Saint Anne's Hospital, a group of almhouses originally built to house thirteen poor widows of the Castle Estate. The attractive Railway Station, part of the scenic Settle - Carlise Line, harks back to the golden age of steam, which is occasionally recalled during the summer months by the arrival of Steam Locomotives (which you may also book to travel upon - see links).The town has a wide range of shops, public houses and eating places (take-away and restaurants). There is also a fine Swimming Pool, and open areas to stroll and play.

 

View towards the Pennines from the centre of Appleby, showing the location of the house (yellow +)