Things to do in Appleby on a rainy day…

The Lake District is renowned for its rain, so it’s likely a visit here will include a rainy day or two. Luckily, there are a few activities in and around Appleby to enjoy on a rainy day.

Here’s a list of our favourite indoor activities in and around Appleby… 

• Waterfall Walks

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you have to head indoors. Most of Lakeland’s waterfalls are best-seen following rainfall, with the extra water making them larger and more impressive. Some nearby waterfalls to explore in and around Appleby include Rutter Force and the nearby Aira Force at Ullswater.

• Appleby Castle 

Situated in the high end of Boroughgate in Appleby, the exquisite Appleby Castle is a 12th-century keep standing over the Eden valley since Norman times. The keep, known as Caesar’s Tower, has survived centuries of conflict in the region between England and Scotland, and then the English Civil War in the 17th century. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy stunning views of the Eden countryside. The castle was damaged after the war, but quickly rebuilt by Lady Anne Clifford who lived here from 1649 to 1676. Interesting internal rooms of the castle include the 15th-century Great Hall, which has a suit of armour worn by Queen Elizabeth I’s champion jouster George Clifford. 

• St Lawrence’s Church

The parish church of St Lawrence is Grade I listed and showcases a mix of Medieval architecture from different periods. St Lawrence’s was damaged repeatedly during Scottish raids and was restored by Lady Anne Clifford in 1654. Older elements survive, like the base of the tower from around 1150 and the south porch, from the 13th-century, with an arch decorated with Early English dogtooth mouldings. In the west end under the tower arch stands St Lawrence’s organ; a gift to Appleby from Carlisle Cathedral in 1683 which contains parts dating from the 16th century, and is the oldest working English organ in the country!