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 building of Appleby Castle was most probably begun around 1100 and passed to the Crown when de Meschines was made Earl of Chester in 1121. The Scots took control of the Castle in 1136 and it was not regained until 1157. Appleby was then given to Hugh de Morville, who was likely responsible for erection of the Castle's great square keep (also known as Caesar's Tower) sometime around 1170. However, for his part in the murder of Thomas a Becket, de Morville had the Castle confiscated by the Crown in 1173. It remained under royal jurisdiction until 1203, when it was given to Robert de Vipont (a relative of de Morville). The Castle changed ownership once more in 1269, passing to the Clifford Family, who remained in control for the 400 years which followed, with the exception of 1461-1485 when the Castle was again confiscated by the Crown during the Wars of the Roses. The Clifford Family are known to have made numerous improvements to Appleby Castle, rebuilding much of it in 1454. However, by 1540, it was in "ruinous" condition and Henry Clifford (Second Earl of Cumberland) deliberately damaged the structure in order to discourage the Scots from attempted siege. Further damage was inflicted upon the Castle during the 1640s, the time of England's Civil War. In 1651, Lady Anne Clifford began restoration of the Castle and when she died in 1679, her grandson, Thomas Tufton (Earl of Thanet) assumed ownership. Today, Appleby Castle is open to the public as a Wildfowl Centre, home to a wide variety of rare breeds of sheep, goats, pheasants, hens, doves, ducks, geese and teals.

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 +)