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Asby is a scattered parish some five miles south of Appleby, and contains the villages of Great and Little Asby.
The older village is Little Asby, two miles south-east. It is a tiny hamlet which in ancient times had a chapel dedicated to St Leonard, the patron saint of Lepers, which probably explains its isolation.
Nearby is an ancient earthworks, one of several in the district. Also close by is Sunbiggin Tarn, which is well known locally as a nesting site for black headed gulls.
Situated on either side of Asby Gill is Great Asby, rising on the west side of the village, where the entrance to Pate Hole, a cave which extends to 1,000 yards will be found.
Just below the church is St Helen's Well, a strong spring of clear water which gushes all year. The water is believed by many to have medicinal purposes.
The church of St Peter dominates the village. The original church built in 1160 was demolished in 1863, and subsequently rebuilt. Locals at the nearby Greyhound Pub will happily tell visitors that their studded door came from the old church.
The two most historically interesting buildings hereabouts are the old rectory with its 14th century pele tower (now a private house) and Asby Hall....a tall black and white painted farmhouse, built in 1694, originally owned by the Musgrave family. In addition there is the village school, endowed in 1688.
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