Long Marton
White Gate Caravan Park is on the edge of the friendly village of Long Marton where the local 18th century public house, The Masons Arms, serves real ales and home made food.
The red sandstone church of St Margaret and St James dates from the 11th century. It was restored in 1880, but much of the Norman origin survived.
Long Marton Railway Station - situated on the Settle-Carlisle line - served the village until 1970. Built by the Midland Railway it was opened along with the line in 1876. The station buildings were sold and converted into a private residence after closure and remain in use as such today. However the platforms were demolished which precluded the station from being considered for reopening when the local service over the line restarted in 1986.
Appleby-in-Westmorland
Appleby-in-Westmorland is only 3 miles from White Gate Caravan Park and is situated within a loop of the River Eden and has a population of approximately 2,500. Appleby is a scenic town which offers a mixture of craft and traditional shops, and a good choice of cafes and public houses - with roaring fires and hearty traditional food.
The award-winning Appleby-in-Westmorland railway station is on the Settle-Carlisle line.
Appleby is overlooked by the privately owned Appleby Castle, a predominantly Norman structure, which provided the home for Lady Anne Clifford, in the seventeenth century.
The annual Appleby Horse Fair, held regularly in early June, since at least the 18th century, brings crowds from all over Britain to the town.
Appleby has an extensive list of amenities including a swimming pool, squash, bowls, gym, golf, bike hire, county cricket,fishing, riding, tennis, go-karting, cycling and walking.
Visit the Appleby Town Council website for more information
Penrith
The historic market town of Penrith is only 25 minutes away. Penrith is a large market town with a great selection of shops, railway station and castle.
Penrith is in the Eden Valley, just north of the River Eamont, and lies less than 3 miles outside the boundaries of the Lake District National Park. A partially man-made watercourse, known as Thacka Beck, flowing through the centre of the town, connects the Rivers Petteril and Eamont. For many centuries, the Beck provided the town with its main water supply.
The Lake District
The Lake District National Park is the largest National Park in the country (occupying 885 square miles) and is considered one of its most scenic regions and England's premier destination for hiking and climbing.
The Lake District comprises of 16 lakes, 53 tarns, and several "waters". All possess their own unique features and provide a comforting sense of permanence, standing as they do, framed by glorious backdrops of mountains, fells, and woodland.
Ullswater the second largest lake in the English Lake District is only 15 miles and less than 30 minutes away from White Gate Caravan Park.
Windermere, at 10.5 miles long, one mile wide and 220 feet deep, is the largest lake in England. Bowness-on-Windermere is The Lakes most popular resort and is an excellent centre for boating activities. Steamers and launches operate from Bowness Bay to Waterhead at Ambleside, and Lakeside at the southern end.
Carlisle
The ancient border-city of Carlisle is only 40 minutes away. Carlisle is the county town of Cumbria and is located at the confluence of the rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril. 10 miles south of the Scottish border it is the largest settlement in the county of Cumbria with a population above 70,000.
During the Middle Ages, because of its proximity to the Kingdom of Scotland, Carlisle became an important military stronghold; Carlisle Castle, still relatively intact, was built in 1092 by William Rufus, and having once served as a prison for Mary, Queen of Scots. The castle now houses the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and the Border Regiment Museum.
Nicknamed the Border City, Carlisle today is the main cultural, commercial and industrial centre for north Cumbria. It is home to the main campuses of the University of Cumbria and a variety of museums and heritage centres including the award-winning Tullie House museum.
