Kirkby Stephen

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Many thanks to Kirkby Stephen and District Angling Association for capitally funding this camera's location and to Stuart Hunt at HRD Consultancy for facilitating it. The Kirkby Stephen and District Angling Association oversees approximately 9 miles of fishing rights on the River Eden, complemented by an additional 4 miles on the River Belah and Scandal Beck. These pristine waters are home to wild brown trout, and no artificial stocking is conducted. Anglers have the opportunity to engage in fly fishing against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery. In order to safeguard our population of wild brown trout, we promote the use of barbless hooks and advocate for the safe release of all healthy fish. Membership to the association is open to all individuals, and those under 18 years of age can become members free of charge. Day tickets are also available for non-members. Furthermore, a strategically positioned Farson streaming webcam provides real-time monitoring of water levels and river conditions on the Eden River in Kirkby Stephen. The Eden River originates in Black Fell Moss, Mallerstang, situated on the elevated terrain between High Seat in the Yorkshire Dales and Hugh Seat. It serves as the boundary between Cumbria and North Yorkshire counties. In close proximity, two other significant rivers, the Swale and the Ure, also emerge from these peat bogs, within a kilometer of each other. Initially known as Red Gill Beck, it transforms into Hell Gill Beck before turning northward and merging with Ais Gill Beck to form the River Eden. Along its course, just before joining Ais Gill Beck, Hell Gill Force boasts the highest waterfall on the river's journey to the sea. The steep-sided Mallerstang dale gradually opens up to become the Vale of Eden. The river meanders through Kirkby Stephen and Appleby-in-Westmorland, receiving water from numerous smaller streams originating in the Pennines to the east and longer rivers flowing from the Lake District to the west. These include the River Lyvennet, River Leith, and River Eamont, which arrives via Ullswater and Penrith. Kirkby Stephen offers a range of amenities, including various antique shops, restaurants, cafés, pubs, and the Upper Eden Visitor Centre. The town has received several awards from Cumbria/Britain in Bloom.
Kirkby Stephen serves as a hub for tourism in the Upper Eden Valley region and acts as a starting point for walking tours of the valley. It lies on the path of the Coast to Coast Walk, originally devised by Alfred Wainwright in 1973. Every June, the "Mallerstang Horseshoe and Nine Standards Yomp" takes place, offering a challenging route along the high ground encompassing the neighboring Mallerstang dale, including Wild Boar Fell and the summit of nearby Nine Standards Rigg.The surrounding countryside attracts hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and in order to assist those who may be ill-prepared for the harsh conditions found on the fell tops, the Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team is available.