Shopping in Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen is full of individual independent shops. In fact you will have trouble finding any national chains, for them you must travel to a larger town.
The shops offer some unusual items that you will not find elsewhere as well as local crafts and produce.
The town also has a reputation for antiques, collectables and up-cycled shops offering an eclectic selection for the home and vintage clothing.
In view of the fact that Kirkby Stephen has so many sole traders you will find the opening hours not what you are used to in bigger towns. Predominantly the shops are open 10:00 am to 4.00 pm and may be closed on Sundays and briefly while the owners pop out for 5 mins. to pick up lunch or go to the bank. The official early closing day is Thursday and market day Monday. Perhaps we should mention here about the opening hours of fish and chip shops; lunchtime then about 4.30 pm to 7.30 for tea. It’s all part of the charm of a small market town.
