Barbon Manor began as an evening hill climb held for cars and motor cycles on the drive in August 1950, as an alternative to running races on public roads as had occurred previously. This proved most successful and was the birth of the two important Hill Climbs held annually at Barbon. The car event started in 1951 and the motor cycle event in 1960 to celebrate the organizing club's Golden Jubilee - Westmorland Motor Club, who were founded in 1910.
Directions from M6 Northbound:
Exit J36 and move to RH lane on slip-road. Take 3rd exit on roundabout following "A65 Skipton"
Continue on A65 until you pass Kirkby Lonsdale. Immediately after KL, cross the River Lune and take next immediate left on A683 "Sedbergh & Kirkby Stephen" (Where you turn is the famous beauty spot "Devil's Bridge" much favoured as a watering hole by motorcyclists and as a picnic and river-bathing venue by all and sundry. Excellent snacks caravan.) Continue on A683 through Casterton. Ignore first two roads signed to Barbon, the second of which is on a cross-roads, to the left of which is a Golf Course. At the 3rd turning (all on the right), turn right. This is just before a sharp kink in the road and a narrowing hump-back bridge. Carry on up into the start of the village, climbing an incline all the way and then over a crest. At this point, spectators take the left turn here and after a couple of hundred yards, turn right again after a small river-bridge up the gravelled farm-track of Oak Tree Farm. Continue straight through to waiting car-park entrance attendants. Competitors should continue straight through the village to the Church and turn left on the far side of the church.
Directions from M6 Southbound:
Exit J37 and turn left towards Sedbergh on A684. After a mile and a half or so of wiggly bits, carry on down a long long hill. Nearly at the bottom, take the minor road off to the right at the house that has a small Black Horse motif between the two upstairs windows (you've just descended Black Horse Hill). Stay on this minor road, crossing the River Lune and then finally meeting the A683 at "Four Lane Ends" (you'll only count 3, but the fourth is concealed in shrubbery on your RHS). At the junction, go straight ahead (South) onto the A683 towards Kirkby Lonsdale. After about 5-6 miles (and at the end of a long straight section of about 1 mile), you'll come to a narrowing hump-back bridge with white railings. Turn immediate left after the bridge (1st or 2nd gear slow) into Barbon village.Continue into village following directions in italics above Directions from Leeds direction:
Follow A65 to Devil's Bridge and take the A683 (North) towards Sedbergh & Kirkby Stephen and then pick up the directions, above, for those travelling from M6 Northbound. Continue into village following directions above
Directions from the North East:
A1 South
A66 West towards Penrith
Leave A66 at Brough and take A685 to and through Kirkby Stephen
2 miles out of Kirkby Stephen (towards Kendal) turn Left onto A683 towards Sedbergh, Kirkby
Lonsdale and Lancaster.
Stay on A683 until hump-back bridge highlighted, Continue into village following directions above
2010 Event Calendar
Date Event Status
8th May 10 Barbon Speed Hill Climb for cars (National A & B) National status event
12th Jun 10 Barbon Speed Hill Climb for cars (National B) National status event
Bikes
Date Event Status
17th Jul 10 Barbon Speed Hill Climb for Motorcycles Regional restricted
