THIS week I spent time in one of the loveliest of South Lakeland’s towns and villages - Kirkby Lonsdale.

It reminded me our area is home to some real gems, which not only draw tourists but are equally as attractive for locals to visit.

To my mind, Kirkby Lonsdale is a nicely-proportioned and historic market town with much to commend it.

There are plenty of architecturally-pleasing homes and the town is full of interesting cobbled courtyards and narrow alleyways, which beg you to explore them and discover what they reveal.

A plaque erected by Kirkby Lonsdale Civic Society says that one alleyway, Salt Pie Lane, used to be called Cattle Market Yard. Cattle used to be sold in the adjoining Horse Market and an enterprising lady living in the yard made hot salted mutton pies for sale to the traders. The plaque states: ‘After consumption of the pies it was necessary to adjourn to the nearby ‘Green Dragon’, now ‘The Snooty Fox’, to slake their thirst - the landlord of which just happened to be a relation!’

Kirkby Lonsdale was granted a Market Charter in 1227. The market is held in the town’s elegant Georgian square, which is overlooked at one end by The Royal Hotel, made famous by a visit by Queen Adelaide in 1840.

I like the fact that as you walk along Main Street towards the A65 there is an old stone marker letting you know you are heading in the direction of ‘London, Settle, Clapham, Ingleton’. London must have seemed so far away to local residents in the days the stone was first placed there.

St Mary’s Church is a delightful building and the path through the churchyard leads you to the town’s crowning glory - Ruskin’s View - where you can gaze down on a sweeping panorama of river, fields, woods and fells.

Add to all this the ancient Devil’s Bridge, numerous pubs, cafes and restaurants and a vibrant high street area with lots of independent shops and you can see why Kirkby Lonsdale is so highly regarded.