Kirkby Thore is a village four miles north-west of Appleby, offering magnificent views across the Eden Valley...eastwards to the Pennines, and westwards to the lakeland Hills.
Much excavation is taking place here in and around the Roman fort and settlement of Bravoniacum. This settlement was at the junction where the military road from York to carlisle joined the Maiden Way, which ran through Kirkland and Alston across the Tyne at Whitley Castle, and through Gilsland to the Roman Wall and Bewcastle.
In the loveliest corner of this village, which has the Pennine escarpment for a background, are groups of white-washed cottages and lofty trees near a small hill called the Cross. Here is the parish church of St Michael which was begun by the Normans, with stones from the Roman camp. A fine pulpit, an ancient bell and fragments of old glass are among the best possessions of the church. The 15th century glass pieces in the south window in the chancel and in the north aisle enrich the windows with bright colours. The oak pulpit is in an unusual position on the right hand side of the nave and is dated 1651, it has been skilfully carved with flowers, foliage and figures. The bell said to be the largest in Cumbria, hangs in an iron frame and strikes the hour for the clock in the tower. It was cast in York in 1450 and is believed to have rung in the tower of Shap Abbey long before the monks were turned out by Henry VIII. Probably very likely as the last Abbot of Shap was also the Rector of Kirkby Thore.
Kirkby Thore Hall hails from the 14th century though there were many additions in the 16th century.
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