Great Asby brings together the history of its churches and chapels with a nearby limestone landscape. This gives visitors two distinct areas to explore: the village’s architectural and religious history, and Great Asby Scar and other geological features in the surrounding area. Each place tells a different chapter; their distinct characteristics help keep these themes separate.

Churches and Local History

St Peter’s in Great Asby dates back at least to Norman times; evidence points to an earlier Saxon building. In 1866, Hay carried out a rebuilding of the Church of St Peter in the Gothic Revival style. This places early evidence of a predecessor building alongside a clearly dated Gothic Revival phase. Inside are stained-glass windows, several of which depict St Peter.

The Lych Gate, to the west of the church, was also built in 1866; Hay probably designed this gate too. The church and gate therefore share a year of construction, while the attribution of the Lych Gate is qualified.

The chapels also add to the picture of the village’s history. The Methodist chapel was built in 1859, while Asby Baptist Chapel was consecrated as a Baptist chapel in 1862. The construction date and consecration refer to different events. The churches in Great Asby hold joint services regularly, usually on the second Sunday of the month. As the schedule may vary, check the date before visiting.

Limestone Landscape and Nature

Great Asby is part of the Westmorland Dales extension to the Yorkshire Dales National Park; Great Asby Scar is nearby. Its limestone pavement and plant species are among the reasons for the Scar’s status as a National Nature Reserve. Great Asby Scar also contains some of the best-preserved intact examples of limestone pavement in Britain. The landscape is shaped not only by its ridges but also by this distinctive landform and its plant life.

Great Asby Scar can be climbed. Its highest point is The Knott, at 412 m (1,352 feet). Castle Folds, an ancient fortified settlement, also lies on the limestone heights of the Scar. The two destinations have different points of interest: The Knott is named as the highest point, while Castle Folds is a historic settlement in the landscape.

Another geological feature is Pate Hole, a rare example of a cave in this area, near Great Asby. Pate Hole Mouth is the entrance to Pate Hole in Asby Gill. The names therefore refer to the cave and its entrance at different locations within the area described.

Cycling and Further Discoveries

There is also a practical reference for cyclists: Great Asby lies on Route 68 (Walney to Weir) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. The Great Asby Walk, a locally published walking and interpretation resource, uses Google Earth imagery and ground-level photographs. Red squirrels live in the churchyard of St Peter’s; sightings may vary by season. If you are interested in this wildlife, do not plan on sightings as a guaranteed part of your visit.

You can prioritise the themes according to your interests: St Peter’s and the chapels represent the village’s architectural and religious history, while Great Asby Scar brings together limestone pavement, plant species, and destinations such as The Knott and Castle Folds. Route 68 adds a cycling element to the options. Joint services provide another point of reference for planning; their dates may vary.

Discover more destinations: Crosby Ravensworth, Cartmel, Brough, Bowness-on-Solway, Oulton, Uldale, Camerton, Haverthwaite

For the main travel overview: Cumbria.