Barbon is a pleasant village of about 100 homes, situated in the Lune Valley midway between Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh. Barbon is recorded in the Domesday Book as Brerebrun and was originally made up of a few small holdings and cottages.
St Bartholomews church was built in 1892, replacing the previous one which dated back to the 12th century. Today, only the porch and vestry of the earlier version remain, and they are currently being used as tool sheds. In the chancel is a chest dated 1659, a cupboard and a finely carved chair of 1662.
The village store had its 110th birthday in 2000. The old school built in 1867 still survives but has been nicely converted into a private house, and though the village smithy himself hasn't survived, his home has, and now houses a clockmaker and repairer.
The Barbon Inn close by is a 17th century coaching inn.
Just outside the village is a curious old cross, believed to be the gravestone of a Roman soldier slain here in a long gone battle.
Past the church, the fell road winds through Barbondale. At the hamlet of High Beckfoot, close to the Lune, the old pack-horse bridge spans Barbon Beck. It is near to an old ford, and is exactly as high as it is wide...two feet six inches...and in direct contrast to its modern counterpart only a few yards away. The old road leading over the pack-horse bridge continues through the fields to Treasonfield.
Just outside the village is a new 18 hole golf course.
|
