Page 4 | Potentially Moving to Appleby in Westmorland

ByRealWriter · 2024-04-14T15:20:40+00:00

Hi! Looking for advice, thoughts or general comments of Appleby. We are looking at a property just outside the market town of Appleby and as Appleby would be our closest town, I am wondering what it is like to live there? Facilities, Crime, etc... We currently live in Cheshire and wanted to relocate to Cumbria or surrounding. We love the lakes but we are priced out in the lakes for our budget. We have healthy budget but properties we like, that would match what we currently own, are £1.2 million and upwards. Whereas, half an hour away from the main tourist places in Lakes it is a lot cheaper. Thanks in advance for any comments 😀

TakeOnFlea · 15/04/2024 19:27

"It's literally right next door to a large camping/caravan park.... there will be drawbacks to that!

With the OP's budget she has the option to look at places that are better located."

It's not that big 🤣 and it means your visitors can stay there! The way the site is built shelters the houses there from it anyway, and I'm sure it's reflected in the price.

stichandlilo · 10/04/2026 22:40

Hi everyone i know this is an old thread but im researching and there seems to be loads of knowledgeable local people commenting.

Were looking to make a similar move and have viewed some great properties. What I cant get my head around is school transport for secondary schools. I can see most villages have primary schools (we've looked from penrith up to brampton) but I cant figure out how kids who live in these lovely villages get to secondary school without parents dropping off. Are there school buses? Public transport doesn't seem to be an option unless you're on a trainline and heading into Carlisle (whetheral as an example). But say you live somewhere like Skelton as mentioned above how is your child getting to secondary school? Also any recommendations on schools in the Carlisle area? I know penrith has good schools.

Allseeingallknowing · 10/04/2026 22:43

Alwaysalwayscold · 15/04/2024 18:27

So many racists on this thread 😡

So fucking sick of people thinking it's okay to be racist if it's about gypsies and travellers.

The points they’re making are correct,though!

TheCumbrian · 10/04/2026 23:14

stichandlilo · 10/04/2026 22:40

Hi everyone i know this is an old thread but im researching and there seems to be loads of knowledgeable local people commenting.

Were looking to make a similar move and have viewed some great properties. What I cant get my head around is school transport for secondary schools. I can see most villages have primary schools (we've looked from penrith up to brampton) but I cant figure out how kids who live in these lovely villages get to secondary school without parents dropping off. Are there school buses? Public transport doesn't seem to be an option unless you're on a trainline and heading into Carlisle (whetheral as an example). But say you live somewhere like Skelton as mentioned above how is your child getting to secondary school? Also any recommendations on schools in the Carlisle area? I know penrith has good schools.

Its mainly school buses (coaches) but home to school transport is currently under review in Westmorland and Furness - potentially moving from catchment based to purely distance based. Most of the villages currently have a coach that comes and picks up for the catchment school - one 52 seater coach will do several villages.

Carlisle is in a different Local Authority to Penrith/Appleby (Carlisle is in Cumberland) so if you are looking on the WAF/Cumberland Border you will need to be quite careful when considering location to secondaries.

Most of the villages have small primaries and there is a lot of competition between the primaries to attract new pupils.

TheCumbrian · 10/04/2026 23:35

More to to the point I'd love to know where the OP ended up

stichandlilo · 11/04/2026 06:10

Thanks @TheCumbrianthis is exactly the information I was after but couldn't seem to find. The school websites mention 'children eligible for transport' but then no description of what that criteria actually is. Sounds like I need to contact the council if theyre who provide the service.

stichandlilo · 11/04/2026 06:11

TheCumbrian · 10/04/2026 23:35

More to to the point I'd love to know where the OP ended up

I also wondered this! Come back and update us @ByRealWriter. I hope everything worked out for you.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/04/2026 08:34

I went to visit on my way to Penrith, I was really disappointed, there is absolutely nothing there. My sister lives in Penrith and my parents moved there a couple of years ago. They love it. Loads going on, good shops and so close to the lakes.

TheCumbrian · 11/04/2026 09:12

stichandlilo · 11/04/2026 06:10

Thanks @TheCumbrianthis is exactly the information I was after but couldn't seem to find. The school websites mention 'children eligible for transport' but then no description of what that criteria actually is. Sounds like I need to contact the council if theyre who provide the service.

https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/schools-and-education/apply-school-transport/check-if-your-child-eligible-free-school-transport

These are the rules for WAF at the moment (covers the Penrith/Appleby area and the villages up to the border with Cumberland) I would imagine Cumberland's policy will be very similar as its only a few years since they were the same council.

In a nutshell if you live in one of the villages you will most likely be eligible for school transport to the nearest/catchment school.

The local authority also currently operates a spare seats scheme as well where if a child wants to get on the transport for a school that isn't their catchment school then they can pay to use a spare seat on the bus to that school if one is available.

Check if your child is eligible for free school transport | Westmorland and Furness Council

Your child or children may be entitled to free school transport if they meet certain criteria.

https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/schools-and-education/apply-school-transport/check-if-your-child-eligible-free-school-transport

stichandlilo · 11/04/2026 13:17

@TheCumbrianthank you! This is very much appreciated.

rwalker · 11/04/2026 13:27

Sadly Appleby is absolutely gorgeous the rd that links to m6 isn’t too bad
I used to work in abbey and it’s absolutely freighting when the horse fair is on
so it would be an absolute no

burton in Kendal and burton in Holme are nice and there’s sedbergh as well

Walkthelakes · 12/04/2026 01:58

stichandlilo · 10/04/2026 22:40

Hi everyone i know this is an old thread but im researching and there seems to be loads of knowledgeable local people commenting.

Were looking to make a similar move and have viewed some great properties. What I cant get my head around is school transport for secondary schools. I can see most villages have primary schools (we've looked from penrith up to brampton) but I cant figure out how kids who live in these lovely villages get to secondary school without parents dropping off. Are there school buses? Public transport doesn't seem to be an option unless you're on a trainline and heading into Carlisle (whetheral as an example). But say you live somewhere like Skelton as mentioned above how is your child getting to secondary school? Also any recommendations on schools in the Carlisle area? I know penrith has good schools.

you need to check with the council. I live rurally in North Yorkshire rather than Cumbria but the school bus comes to my village and picks the kids up as it is over a certain distance from the school. You need to go to the catchment school for this though. You would probably find out the Cumbria policy on the council website--look up school transport. It's a big thing in rural communities and you need to understand it before you decide on an area/schools.