These permits can be used throughout your stay at the Sun Inn and are also valid in some of the other South Lakeland District car parks in the South Lakes so you can visit areas such as Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside and park free of charge whilst a guest of the Sun Inn.

When coming to stay at the Sun Inn, follow the directions sent on your confirmation email and pull into our luggage drop-off at the inn.  We will give you the car park permit and parking directions and information on arrival.

We already offer access to plenty of stunning open countryside to keep both dogs – and their owners – occupied for hours.

From 1 April 2013, dogs will also receive a complimentary ‘pooch pack’ on their arrival including a towel, a dog bowl and a special tasty treat. Their owners will be given details of an introductory walk along the stunning River Lune and can borrow sturdy wellington boots, macs and umbrellas free of charge to protect against the elements.

Later, man’s best friend can curl up in front of a real log fire in our traditional bar area, while guests of the human variety sample some local ales and tuck into Cumbrian fayre from the Sun Inn’s AA rosette-rated kitchen.

Kirkby Lonsdale itself is a pet lovers haven, with dogs allowed in many of the friendly cafes and small, independent shops in this historic market town. What’s more, the Animal Emporium, just round the corner from the Sun Inn, is an Aladdin’s Cave of foodstuffs, bedding, toys and ‘animal accessories’.

Rooms at the Sun Inn start from £99 per night, including full English breakfast and complimentary tea and coffee throughout the stay in the bar and restaurant, based on two adults sharing a double room. There is a £10 supplement for dogs.

And it’s not just man’s best friend who is welcome at the Sun Inn – the 17^th century hideaway has already played host to its first feline visitor this year as well!

The Sun Inn is within easy reach of an impressive range of birdwatching destinations, including the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Trough of Bowland and Morecambe Bay – home to one of the largest concentrations of birds in Europe.

So from April-August 2013, we will be offering a special ‘twitchers tariff’, to give birdwatching enthusiasts an ideal base for their outdoor endeavours. That includes packed lunches alongside full use of their specialist guide books, binoculars and even wet weather gear.

The churchyard adjacent to the Sun Inn is the ideal starting point for birding adventures, with a woodpecker and an owl both in residence, and a gentle amble along the River Lune provides a chance to spot wading birds such as oystercatchers and herons. There are also plenty of other great locations within a short drive, including…..

What you could see:

• Trough of Bowland: The often overlooked Forest of Bowland is home to many threatened species, including the rare hen harrier, golden plover and ring ouzel. 13% of the area is also designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

• Leighton Moss, Arnside and Silverdale: The RSPB’s nature reserve to the north east of Morecambe Bay counts avocet and marsh harriers among the Spring and Summer visitors. It is also one of the few places in Britain where you can hear the booming call of the elusive bittern.

• South Lakes: England’s largest natural lake, Windermere, is home to more than a thousand ducks, geese and swans all year round. The Lake District is also one of the only areas in England where visitors stand a chance glimpsing of spotting a majestic golden eagle.

• Yorkshire Dales: More than 100 species nest here every year. Walkers might spot a sky lark flying overhead, or maybe a merlin, which are easiest to see in breeding season (late summer).

Complimentary teas and coffees will await guests on their return. Or they can indulge in our delicious all-day menus, created using only the finest local produce.

Visitors are also welcome to contribute any wildlife photos of the local area to appear on our  online gallery of the local area.

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, Kirkby Lonsdale is located on the Cumbria-Lancashire-Yorkshire border between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. But did you know about these cultural connections?

• John Ruskin – ‘Ruskin’s View’, Kirkby Lonsdale: Victorian art critic and social thinker John Ruskin described the scene featuring St. Mary’s Church in Kirkby Lonsdale and the backdrop of the River Lune as “one of the loveliest views in England, therefore in the world”. Now popularly known as ‘Ruskin’s View’, the scene was also immortalised in the painting by JMW Turner.

• The Brontë sisters – Cowan Bridge: Cowan Bridge is a village between Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton, and was the site of the Clergy Daughters’ School attended by the four Brontë sisters. Charlotte’s depiction of Lowood School in Jane Eyre is believed to have been based on the school in Cowan Bridge, with Kirkby Lonsdale becoming ‘Lowton’.

• Thomas Gray / William Wordsworth – Lune Valley: 18^th century poet Thomas Gray was one of the first great literary figures to write about the Cumbrian landscape and described the stunning views about Kirkby Lonsdale in his Journal of his Tour in the Lake District. Meanwhile, Wordsworth’s affinity with the Lune Valley is also documented in his famous Complete Guide to the Lakes.

• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Thornton-in-Lonsdale: Author of the Sherlock Holmes detective stories, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, also visited the area. He married his first wife in St Oswalds Church in Thornton-in-Lonsdale – five miles from Kirkby Lonsdale on the Cumbria-Yorkshire border.

Meanwhile, book enthusiasts can make the short journey to nearby Sedbergh, officially designated as ‘England’s Book Town’ for its numerous bookshops and other businesses based on writing, reading and publishing.

We’ve teamed up with the Bath House – a locally-based specialist in fragrances, bathing and natural skincare – to offer an extra special pampering experience to soothe away everyday stresses and light up the winter months.

Guest taking up the ‘Ultimate treats’ package will not only benefit from a two night stay in  stunning surroundings, with a plentiful supply of leisurely walks, but they’ll also be invited to the Bath House’s main base in nearby Sedbergh and be treated to:

• Sampling all the Bath House fragrances, with information on each fragrance and a little history about perfume.

• An exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ look at how the Bath House makes its products

• A personal gift from the Bath House range, made with plant extracts, natural and organic ingredients.

Returning to the Sun Inn, guests can some scrumptious treats in front of a roaring log fire. For extra indulgence, there are mugs of soothing hot chocolate and an unlimited supply of tea and coffee.

The Ultimate Treats package also includes mouth-watering seasonal dinners in the AA rosette-rated restaurant, as well as full Cumbrian breakfasts on both mornings with award-winning sausages and bacon from the butcher next door but one.

Back in their rooms, guests can relax and rejuvenate their senses with a quick spritz of cologne or perfume from the Bath House, followed by a relaxing soak with bath salts lovingly presented in carefully crafted wooden bowls. Other thoughtful touches include fresh milk, delicious Cumbrian biscuits and fluffy bathrobes.

Every guest staying on their Christmas Shopping break, during the period 1-23 December 2012, will receive mulled wine on arrival plus a delicious homemade afternoon tea, topped off with a complementary three course seasonal dinner in the Sun Inn’s AA rosette rated restaurant.

They’ll also be given exclusive 10% discounts at specially selected local retailers, as well as a personal selection of festive wrapping paper, scissors and sticky tape in their rooms – keeping gift wrapping quick and hassle-free. They can even write their Christmas cards in front of a roaring log fire, while sipping some soothing hot chocolate, before popping next door to the post office to get cards and packages sent off to loved ones.

There are plenty of opportunities to hunt down some seriously unique Christmas presents in Kirkby Lonsdale, from stunning jewellery and ceramics, to indulgent Cumbrian-made fragrances and bathing products, and foodie treats including bespoke cheese boards and luxury chocolate gifts. There is even an Enchanted Chocolate Mine to tantalise the tastebuds.

With brands including Jackpot, Phase 2, Tommy Hilfiger and Hobbs, there’s also a surprising array of stylish ladies clothes and accessories on offer – whether shoppers are looking for a stylish gift or that perfect party outfit.

With the festive gift hunting all under control, visitors can then meander through Kirkby Lonsdale’s unique mix of cobbled courtyards, elegant 18^th century buildings and cottages built from Lakeland stone. Along the way, they’ll explore hidden snickets and charming streets such as the aptly named Jingling Lane.

As the holder of an AA rosette for our mouth-watering menus, seasonal treats and high quality produce from local suppliers (including Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire), our Gourmet Food breaks will include:

• Tea, scones and preserves on arrival in the cosy bar, amid roaring log fires

• Overnight accommodation in a chic, individually designed room

• Aperitif and canapés

• A four course ‘Posh Noshers’ dinner, plus coffee. Using fabulous local and seasonal ingredients, each menu is specially created
• Winetasting, including a special selection  of four wines carefully selected by a local wine merchant

• A full Cumbrian breakfast the following morning.

As the nights draw in, the first ‘Posh Noshers’ dinner takes place on Monday 8 October with a thoughtful combination of warming recipes to celebrate the best of fresh, autumnal produce. This exclusive foodie event will take diners on a four-course journey of delicious ingredients that can be gathered entirely ‘from the wild’. Crab, rabbit, pheasant and wild mushroom all feature on the menu, rounded off with warm autumn berries on brioche with cinnamon and honey mascarpone Chantilly.

For a truly personal touch, the evening will be hosted by the Sun Inn’s owners Mark and Lucy Fuller along with Jeanette McLaughlin from EWGA wine merchants. Guests will sample four different wines throughout the evening, which will be punctuated with friendly, informal introductions to their origins.

Meanwhile, if you prefer to sample some traditional Cumbrian brews, the bar stocks plenty of cask ales including local choices from the Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery and nearby Hawkshead Brewery.

Other upcoming ‘Posh Nosher’ events include ‘Taste of Kirkby Lonsdale’ on Monday 4 March 2013, again complemented by wines from around the world. It will be the ultimate local culinary experience, with ingredients from Kirkby Lonsdale food suppliers such as the award-winning Dales Butchers and Churchmouse Cheeses (both just a couple of doors from the Sun Inn) thoughtfully woven into the menu.

There are also specialist wine tasting evenings lined up for Monday 26 November (Bordeaux) and Monday 21 January (Australian wine), which again, can be incorporated into the Gourmet Break.

We’ve invested in an impressive selection of sturdy wellington boots, macs and umbrellas to ensure visitors can get out and enjoy the region’s breath-taking scenery, whatever the weather brings.

We have also compiled a handy collection of ‘Wellie Walks’ to guide guests along short walking routes in the area, taking in scenic highlights with minimum effort. A complimentary mug of hot chocolate and our roaring log fire will await them on their return, followed by a pampering bubble bath using luxury toiletries from the Bath House in nearby Sedbergh.

With a cosy bar serving complimentary teas and coffees throughout the day, residents looking to hibernate after a fresh air ramble can then snuggle up with a good book. Or they can indulge in our delicious all-day menus, created using only the finest local produce such as cheeses from ‘Churchmouse Cheeses’ and award winning meats from the local Dales Butchers.