Kirkby Stephen itself has a wide variety of pubs, restaurants and cafes, including Indian and Chinese restaurants and fish and chip shops, as well as places offering traditional Cumbrian fare. There are also plenty of other places to eat and drink in the surrounding villages.

Do note that tea shops can close quite early. If you are in a group and want tea and cakes after 4pm it's worth ringing to check they'll stay open for you. Fish and chip shop opening times can also take visitors by surprise; they all close between 7pm and 8pm.

Listed below are a number of establishments supporting the Walkers are Welcome scheme.

Tea, Coffee and Snacks
Elizabeth's is in Market Street near the church. It is open Mon-Fri 7am - 4pm, Sat/Sun until 5pm. Coffee shop and take-away sandwiches, plus packed lunches to order (07833 675744). The Cafe des Amis is at Pack Horse Stores on the corner of Silver Street and Market Street. Open Mon-Fri 8.15 - 4.30, Sat 8.30 - 2.30. Village deli (cheeses, groceries and charcuterie) with friendly cafe and take-away. 017683 71388.

Earnshaws, the newsagent in the town centre, provides hot and cold drinks to take away, plus snacks, sweets and crisps. You can buy local maps and walking guides. Open 5.30am to 8pm Monday - Saturday, 7am - 7pm (6pm in winter) on Sundays. 017683 71203

The Church Gallery in Market Street has a coffee lounge with self-service hot and cold drink and cakes. Mon-Sat 9am - 4.45pm, Sun 11am - 4.45pm. 017683 72395

The Pink Geranium opens Weds to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm for tea and cooked meals. Normally open Bank Holidays. Contact them to open earlier or later for groups. 017683 71586.

Bessy Beck tea room, at the trout fishery at Newbiggin-on-Lune, is open 10am - 5pm, Weds to Sunday, serving light snacks, teas and coffees (cream teas a speciality). www.bessybecktrout.co.uk

You can generally get tea, coffee and homemade snacks at The Platform Shop at Kirkby Stephen railway station while waiting for your train. Also homemade soup for parties of walkers, but please give advance notice for this. Call Andrew or Rachel on 01768 800 208 or visit www.imagerail.com

Meals
The Coast to Coast fish and chips takeaway and 20 seater restaurant, as patronised by Alfred Wainwright, is in Kirkby Stephen on the road towards Brough. Thursday to Sunday 11.30am - 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 8pm. 017683 71194.

Archway Fish and Chips is in the town centre, offering take-away and a dining room catering for parties up to 20 (pre-booked). 017683 72063.

The Kings Arms is next to the Tourist Information Centre. 17th Century coaching inn offering real ale and a relaxed atmosphere. Home cooking available in a large restaurant or in the snug next to the bar. Prices range from a few pounds to £15.95 for a massive mixed grill. Sunday lunch is £5.95.

The Black Bull Hotel is in the town centre. They serve anything from a simple snack to a three course meal, from around midday until 9pm. Plus a range of soft and hot drinks. 017683 71237. www.blackbullkirkbystephen.co.uk

The Century Chinese Restaurant is tucked away in Walton's Yard, just off the market place in Kirkby Stephen. Take away or dine in the restaurant. Tues-Sat 12-2pm, 5-11.30pm. Sunday 5-11.30pm.

The Fat Lamb, near Ravenstonedale, is open every day 8am to 11pm. Food from 12-2 and 6-9, although in the summer they aim to open from 12-9pm. If arriving outside normal lunch and evening meal times it's a good idea to ring to check: 015396 23242.

Bessy Beck (see above) turns into a bistro on Wednesday and Thursday nights, with a 3 course fixed menu.

Food
The town has a number of food shops, including a greengrocer, two butchers and a bakery, all in the Market Place. A larger Co-op supermarket can be found on the left as you leave the town towards Brough.