Kirkby Lonsdale has its own natural attractions, including the River Lune and Ruskin's View. The medieval Devil's Bridge spans the river with many riverside and country walks in the area. The town has an 11th Century Norman church and a range of well preserved 17th and 18th Century buildings. Kirkby Lonsdale is convenient for the Cumbrian coast at Morecambe and the Leighton Moss Nature Reserve. The Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is south of the town.
Further afield the Beatrix Potter Gallery, situated in Hawkshead, houses the original collection of sketches and watercolours created by Beatrix Potter for her children's stories. In addition, Beatrix Potter's 17th Century house, Hill Top, can be found not far from the gallery in Near Sawrey.
Kendal (15 miles), Settle (18 miles) and Lancaster (20 miles) are all easily reached by car, as are the two National Parks of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
White Scar Cave is the longest show cave in Britain . The path winds its way past cascading waterfalls, between massive banks of flowstone, and through galleries decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The highlight of the tour is the 200,000 year old Battlefield Cavern. Over 330 feet long, with its roof soaring in places to 100 feet, this is one of the largest caverns in Britain.
Among many historic houses open to the public in the region are Levens Hall, Holker Hall, Sizergh Castle and Gardens (NT), Dalemain, Leighton Hall and Hutton-in-the-Forest. There are art galleries at Abbot Hall, Kendal and Blackwell at Bowness on Windermere.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, situated near Hale, is an all-weather attraction. Exhibits range from the tropical hall and butterfly house to some of the world's most threatened species.
The River Lune Millennium Park in Lancaster stretches some 15 kilometres along the banks of the Lune from Bull Beck near Caton to Salt Ayre in Lancaster. The Park offers artworks to discover such as rocks sculpted from glass and a heron's head created from wrought iron. At its heart is the Millennium Bridge providing a river crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.