The parishes of Milnthorpe and Heversham nestle cheek by jowl in a shallow valley surrounded by lush rolling hillsides.

Less than a mile separates the two rural communities that were one until they were made distinct parishes in 1896.

Visitors passing through on the A6 heading towards Kendal in the north or Lancaster in the south might overlook these twin gems, whose narrow lanes and historic, beautiful buildings speak of a time when a coach and four was more common than a four-wheel drive.

In fact, Milnthorpe was a medieval market town and, with the exception of Kendal, the most important community in the area. Careful observation can still reveal traces of the town's history.

Heversham's population of around 500 is centred on the parish church of St Peter's, the oldest recorded church in the former county of Westmorland.

In Leasgill, which lies snug against Heversham's northern edge, a former penny library, called the Athenaeum, was bequeathed to the community by a Liverpool shipping magnate. It is now both Heversham and Leasgill's village hall.

Main attractions

Get close to nature at the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, two miles south of Milnthorpe, near Holme. With a tropical hall and butterfly house, monkeys and meerkats, and birds and bats, it's a must for animal-lovers.

Dallam Tower lies just west of Milnthorpe; a beautiful stately home built to repel incursions from the Scots. The estate includes a 17th century deer park with a herd of fallow deer, and ornamental gardens. Only the grounds are open to the public.

Step into the Alice in Wonderland world of Levens Hall and Topiary Gardens, north of Heversham, with its mile-long avenue of oak trees, ornamental gardens and deer drinking from the River Kent as it flows to the sea.

And if it's wet...

The Museum of Paper Making, at Heron Corn Mill, south of Milnthorpe, is one of very few working mills in the area, and there is evidence of a mill at the site almost 1,000 years ago.

For those of an industrial leaning, this is a fascinating glimpse into how an object we take for granted was made.

Walks

Short - If you fancy a very short stroll, a walk on a sunny day around the well-tended grounds of St Peter's Parish Church, at Heversham, would take some beating.

Long - Get your lungs working with a hike up the highest fell in the area, St Anthony's Hill, behind Milnthorpe. It is home to a folly tower, called the Summer House, built to commemorate the Reform Bill of 1832.

Events for 2004

The annual Art Exhibition takes place July 22 to July 25, featuring artists from all over the region. It is held at St Thomas' Church in Milnthorpe and runs alongside an exhibition of schoolchildren's art at Dallam School, also in Milnthorpe.

The Horticultural Show features a wealth of blooms and countless blasts of floral colour, held on the first Saturday in September at 1.30pm at St Thomas' Church, Milnthorpe.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Milnthorpe Methodist Church, and various events are being organised, including a historic village walk led by a local historian on May 3, an anniversary service on May 30 and a flower and toy festival on September 24-26.

For more information

Kendal Tourist Information Centre on 01539 725758