Winton is a tiny village one mile north of Kirkby Stephen, just off the A685 Kirkby Stephen to Brough road.
Winton was at one time famous for its schools, and education, back in the early 1800's when fees were around twenty two guineas a year. Charles Dickens is reputed to have based his character Nicholas Nickleby on a pupil from the school here. As the boys were treated like prisoners and were not allowed to return home until the end of their education in case they told of their life at school...it is easy to accept that!
The school was run in conjunction with Winton Hall, an old building dated 1665, though its mediaeval appearance suggests it is older, with its stone buttresses and mullioned windows with iron bars.
Winton Hall was for many years the home of the Scaife family who with other local inhabitants founded the village school in 1659.
Winton is also famous for being the birthplace of Dr John Langhorne, the translator of Plutarch..the greek philospher, and also Richard Burn, the builder of Orton Hall, and author of many books.
Nearby at Winton fell are the NineStandards, a popular spot for walkers. The Nine Standards are a rough row of slender beacons which have stood there for centuries for no apparent reason. Also popular here with walkers is the 'Wheels Are turning' walk...a very picturesque stroll taking in Kirkby Stephen, hartley and Winton.
Look for the old waterwheel on the beck which in the past has provided power for the corn mill and generator, but now turns no more.
An unusual site for this area (or any area for that matter) is seeing low flying parrots, macaws and cockatoos from Eden Place nearby.
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