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4- and 5-star hotels in Kirkby Stephen
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star places to stay in and around Kirkby Stephen, from inns on the main streets to cottages and a castle. It is for walkers, couples and families who want the upper Eden Valley as a base.
Staying in Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen is a small Cumbrian town in the upper Eden Valley, inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park and between the Lake District and the Dales. It works as a base for the Eden Valley, the Howgill Fells and the northern Yorkshire Dales, with walking routes, cycling and historic sites such as Nine Standards Rigg nearby. The town has shops, cafes, pubs and a weekly market, and its heritage and scenery suit anyone after a quiet retreat in the north of England. These places sit in different spots. The Apartment of Antiquity on Market Street, 2 Eden Lodge and 3 Eden Lodge at Mellbecks, Fig Cottage at Mellbecks and Macaw Cottages No 4A on Croft Street are in Kirkby Stephen itself, between 0.1 and 0.3 km from the centre. Central flats suit short breaks on foot; the country inns and cottages suit couples, families and longer stays by car.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Inn at Brough
Main Street Brough, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Car parking
- Breakfast room
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 5-star inn on Main Street in Brough, 6.4 km from Kirkby Stephen, with a restaurant and bar on site and car parking for guests. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 227 reviews, it suits travellers who want a full-service base with dinner and a drink downstairs rather than a self-catering stay.
See The Inn at BroughSwallows Nest
Brough United Kingdom, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 5-star house in Brough, 4.8 km from the centre, with a kitchen, free car parking and a garden. The washing machine and garage add convenience for longer stays, making it a good fit for guests who prefer to cook and keep their own schedule.
See Swallows NestThe Apartment of Antiquity
39 Market Street Kirkby Stephen, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereSitting on Market Street just 0.2 km from the centre, this 5-star apartment keeps shops and amenities within a short walk. A fireplace and kitchenette give it a lived-in feel, and pets are allowed, so it suits couples or small groups who want to be in the middle of Kirkby Stephen.
See The Apartment of AntiquityBlue Heron Lodge
Ash Garth_X000d_Church Brough_X000d_, Brough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereA 5-star lodge at Church Brough, 5.7 km from the centre, with a jacuzzi, garden and free car parking. Pets are welcome and the kitchen covers self-catering needs, which makes it a practical choice for families or groups travelling with a dog.
See Blue Heron LodgeStallion Barn
Crosby Garrett, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThis 5-star barn in Crosby Garrett, 4.7 km from Kirkby Stephen, pairs a fireplace with a garden and free car parking. Fishing is available nearby and pets are allowed, so it suits guests who want a quiet rural base and a warm room to return to.
See Stallion BarnThe Black Swan
Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereA 4-star inn at Ravenstonedale, 6.8 km from the centre, with a restaurant, bar and garden, plus free car parking. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 668 reviews, it offers family rooms, a playground and a tennis court, making it a strong pick for families and guests wanting food and drink on the doorstep.
See The Black SwanThe Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve
The Fat Lamb, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereA 4-star country inn with its own nature reserve, 7.1 km from Kirkby Stephen, with a restaurant and bar and free car parking. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 611 reviews, it adds horse riding and family rooms, suiting guests who want countryside activities and pets are allowed.
See The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature ReserveTranna Hill
Newbiggin On Lune Cumbria, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
- Wifi
Why stay hereA 4-star property at Newbiggin On Lune, 7.8 km from the centre, with TV and wifi. Its guest rating of 4.9 out of 5 comes from 22 reviews, so it appeals to travellers who want a simple, highly rated rural stop.
See Tranna HillAugill Castle
Leacett Lane, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay hereA 4-star castle on Leacett Lane, 6.1 km from Kirkby Stephen, with a restaurant, bar and garden, plus free car parking. Fireplaces, a lounge and massage add to the character, and room service and family rooms suit guests marking an occasion or wanting space and history.
See Augill CastleClover Cottage
Clover Cottage Outhgill, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereA 4-star cottage at Outhgill, 6.3 km from the centre, with a fireplace, garden and free car parking. The kitchen and washing machine support longer self-catering stays, pets are allowed and fishing is on hand, so it fits walkers and families.
See Clover CottageLinden Cottage
Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThis 4-star cottage in Ravenstonedale, 5.6 km from Kirkby Stephen, offers a fireplace, garden and free car parking. A kitchen and high chairs make it workable for families, pets are welcome and fishing is available nearby.
See Linden Cottage2 Eden Lodge
Flat 2 Eden Lodge Mellbecks, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereA 4-star flat at Eden Lodge on Mellbecks, 0.2 km from the centre, with a kitchen and free car parking. Pets are allowed, which suits guests who want an apartment in Kirkby Stephen itself rather than a country stay.
See 2 Eden Lodge3 Eden Lodge
Flat 3 Eden Lodge Mellbecks, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereAlso at Eden Lodge, 0.2 km from the centre, this 4-star flat has a kitchen, free car parking and a TV. Pets are allowed, making it a convenient option for guests who want to walk to the town's shops and services.
See 3 Eden LodgeFig Cottage
Fig Cottage Mellbecks, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereA 4-star cottage on Mellbecks, 0.3 km from the centre, with a fireplace, garden and sauna, plus free car parking. A kitchen and high chairs suit families, pets are allowed and fishing is nearby, giving it plenty for a self-catering break in town.
See Fig CottageMacaw Cottages No 4A
Number 4A Croft Street, Kirkby Stephen, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereA 4-star cottage on Croft Street, 0.1 km from the centre, with a kitchen, garden and parking. Fishing and a golf course are listed among its facilities, so it suits guests who want to step out into Kirkby Stephen and return to their own space.
See Macaw Cottages No 4A
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Inn at Brough | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | – | 6.4 km |
| Swallows Nest | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 4.8 km |
| The Apartment of Antiquity | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 0.2 km |
| Blue Heron Lodge | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 5.7 km |
| Stallion Barn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 4.7 km |
| The Black Swan | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.8 km |
| The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 7.1 km |
| Tranna Hill | ★★★★ | – | – | – | – | 7.8 km |
| Augill Castle | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | – | 6.1 km |
| Clover Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 6.3 km |
| Linden Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 5.6 km |
| 2 Eden Lodge | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 0.2 km |
| 3 Eden Lodge | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 0.2 km |
| Fig Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – | 0.3 km |
| Macaw Cottages No 4A | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 0.1 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For town centre
The Apartment of Antiquity, 2 Eden Lodge, 3 Eden Lodge, Fig Cottage and Macaw Cottages No 4A are all within 0.3 km of the centre, so shops, pubs and the market are on the doorstep. Each has its own kitchen, and all five allow pets.
The Apartment of Antiquity · 2 Eden Lodge · 3 Eden Lodge · Fig Cottage · Macaw Cottages No 4A
For families
The Black Swan and The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve both have family rooms, cots, gardens and restaurants. Fig Cottage and Linden Cottage add kitchens, fireplaces, high chairs and gardens, and both allow pets, which helps on longer family stays.
The Black Swan · The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve · Fig Cottage · Linden Cottage
For pets
Nine of these places state pets are allowed: The Apartment of Antiquity, Blue Heron Lodge, Stallion Barn, The Black Swan, The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve, Clover Cottage, Linden Cottage, 2 Eden Lodge and 3 Eden Lodge. They range from town flats to country cottages with gardens and free parking.
The Apartment of Antiquity · Blue Heron Lodge · Stallion Barn · The Black Swan · The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve · Clover Cottage
For a country stay
The Inn at Brough is a 5-star with 227 reviews and a guest rating of 4.4, with a restaurant, bar and parking. The Black Swan (4.7 from 668 reviews), The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve (4.4 from 611) and Augill Castle all pair dining and parking with countryside settings.
The Inn at Brough · The Black Swan · The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve · Augill Castle
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Kirkby Stephen is on the A685 road, about 10 miles from the M6 motorway at Tebay. It has a railway station on the Settle-Carlisle line, with regular services to Leeds and Carlisle. The nearest major airports are Newcastle and Manchester, both around 2 hours' drive. Buses connect the town with nearby villages and towns, including Penrith and Kendal. Getting around the town is easy on foot; for exploring the surrounding area, a car or bicycle is useful, and local taxi services are available.
When to go
The best time to visit Kirkby Stephen is from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is mild and the countryside is at its most accessible. Summer brings longer days and more outdoor events, but also more visitors. Spring and autumn offer quieter conditions and pleasant walking weather. Winter can be cold and wet, with shorter days, but the town remains open for visitors.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of Kirkby Stephen?
Macaw Cottages No 4A on Croft Street is 0.1 km from the centre. The Apartment of Antiquity on Market Street, 2 Eden Lodge and 3 Eden Lodge at Mellbecks are 0.2 km away, and Fig Cottage at Mellbecks is 0.3 km away.
Which hotels have the best guest ratings?
Tranna Hill has a guest rating of 4.9 from 22 reviews. The Black Swan follows with 4.7 from 668 reviews, then The Inn at Brough with 4.4 from 227 reviews and The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve with 4.4 from 611 reviews.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
Yes. Pets are allowed at The Apartment of Antiquity, Blue Heron Lodge, Stallion Barn, The Black Swan, The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve, Clover Cottage, Linden Cottage, 2 Eden Lodge and 3 Eden Lodge.
Is parking available at these hotels?
Parking is listed at The Inn at Brough, Swallows Nest, The Apartment of Antiquity, Blue Heron Lodge, Stallion Barn, The Black Swan, The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve, Augill Castle, Clover Cottage, Linden Cottage, 2 Eden Lodge, 3 Eden Lodge, Fig Cottage and Macaw Cottages No 4A. Many of these list it as free.
Which hotels are best for families?
The Black Swan and The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve have family rooms, cots and playground or garden space. Fig Cottage and Linden Cottage offer kitchens, high chairs and gardens, and both allow pets.
Do any of these hotels have a restaurant?
The Inn at Brough, The Black Swan, The Fat Lamb Country Inn and Nature Reserve and Augill Castle all list restaurant(s). The Black Swan also lists a bar, lunch and special diets.
Do any of these hotels have a pool or spa?
None of these places lists a pool or spa. Blue Heron Lodge has a jacuzzi, Augill Castle lists massage, and Fig Cottage has a sauna.
Which hotels serve breakfast?
The Inn at Brough lists a breakfast room, while The Black Swan and Augill Castle list breakfast in room. Other places here, such as the cottages and lodges, list kitchens instead.