Have you been thinking of moving up to Cumbria? Have you considered Kirkby Lonsdale? Here’s our complete guide for why Kirby Lonsdale could make your next perfect home.

If you’re considering relocating to a small, stylish market town surrounded by rolling countryside, fantastic schools, and a thriving community spirit, Kirkby Lonsdale is hard to beat. This sought-after Cumbrian sits between the Lake District to the north, the Yorkshire Dales to the east and the Forest of Bowland to the south, offering the perfect blend of dramatic landscapes, rural charm and modern convenience. Here’s our complete guide to why Kirkby Lonsdale would be a wonderful place to call home.

Where is Kirkby Lonsdale?

Kirkby Lonsdale is a historic market town positioned in South Lakeland, right on the border of Cumbria, Lancashire, and North Yorkshire. This popular residential and tourist location puts you within easy reach of two national parks — the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales — with dramatic scenery, riverside walks, and ancient heritage surrounding the town.

Known for its cobbled streets, Georgian architecture, charming independent shops, and scenery such as Ruskin’s View, an iconic panorama celebrated by artist J.M.W. Turner, the town blends old-world character with an active, modern community. With around 2,500–3,000 residents, it feels intimate yet lively, making it an increasingly popular place for families, retirees, and remote workers seeking a better quality of life.

Transport links

Despite its peaceful setting, Kirkby Lonsdale is exceptionally well placed for commuting and travel across the North West, as it’s just six miles from Junction 36 of the M6, offering quick access to Lancaster, Preston, Manchester, and Scotland. You can also quickly pick up the A65, connecting you directly to Skipton, Leeds, and the Yorkshire Dales.

Kirkby Lonsdale does not have its own train station, but nearby Oxenholme Lake District (15–20 minutes by car) provides direct trains to Manchester (a journey of around one hour 20 minutes) and London (around two hours 40 minutes).

Manchester Airport is around one hour 15 minutes by road and Leeds Bradford Airport: jsut a tiny bit longer at around one hour and 20 minutes.

Schools

Kirkby Lonsdale is highly regarded for its education provision. In terms of primary education St Mary’s CofE Primary School is a well-rated school and there are also several excellent village primaries nearby.

In terms of secondary education, Queen Elizabeth School (QES) is the star attraction for many relocating families. Renowned across Cumbria and North Lancashire, QES has an excellent academic reputation, strong pastoral care, high Ofsted ratings, and a vibrant sixth form.

There is also Underley Garden School, an Ofsted Outstanding-rated independent special that cares for children and young people aged five to 19 with complex needs, including autism, learning and communication difficulties, and anxiety and mental health needs..

Amenities

For a small market town, Kirkby Lonsdale offers an exceptional range of amenities. As a popular tourist destination, the town centre offers a selection of independent boutiques, outdoor and lifestyle shops, art galleries, bakeries and cafés, traditional butchers and delis. There is also a weekly market, every Thursday with fresh produce and artisan goods.

If dining out is your thing, Kirkby Lonsdale is known for its excellent food scene, including pubs, bistros, and award-winning restaurants such as The Sun Inn, which holds 2 AA Rosettes and is listed in the Michelin Guide and Plato’s, a 5-star wine bar with luxury bedrooms.

In terms of supermarkets, there is (as in every sought after postcode in Cumbria, a Booths (the Waitrose of the north) and you will find a Sainsbury’s 30 minutes away in Kendal.

Leisure time

Kirkby Lonsdale offers an outstanding quality of life, surrounded as it is by spectacular countryside. You can enjoy scenic riverside walks along the River Lune, the famous Devil’s Bridge, a hub for walkers and cyclists and, of course, easy access to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales for hiking, climbing, cycling, and water sports.

This small town also offers a leisure centre with gym and sports facilities, a thriving rugby club, tennis courts, a golf course and many active arts and community groups.
Whether you’re a family looking for outstanding education, a commuter seeking calm surroundings, or someone wanting a friendly town with character and charm, it seems Kirkby Lonsdale is definitely worth investigating. To find out what home are available and learn more about this thriving town, visit our friends at Hackney & Leigh, who can help you make your new life dream come true.