A small village situated in the Eden Valley some 5 miles south-east of Penrith.
The main street runs downhill and is lined with attractive sandstone buildings, much of the stone coming from quarries in the Whinfell Forest nearby. Many of the buildings date from the 18th and 19th century, and it is thought that there has been a settlement here since Saxon times.
Cliburn Hall was built in the 14th century, as a pele tower, by Robert de Cliburn, the then Lord of the Manor. Today it is a farmhouse.
Nearby is St Cuthbert's church. Originally Norman, with Roman stones in the porch, it is approached by a short avenue of lime trees. On the English altar is something very beautiful...a gift from an Admiral of the American Navy. He was Admiral Cleburne, and he found this beautiful thing in Italy and brough it back home to Cliburn. For 700 years it was treasured in the Abbey of Vallombrosa and, being homeless when the monastery was closed last century, the admiral brought it back with him.
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