Welcome to Ousby and Melmerby in the lovely Eden Valley in Cumbria

The Parish of Ousby lies to the North East of Cumbria 9.5 miles from the market town of Penrith. The Parish consists of two villages Ousby and Melmerby. Both are very different. Ousby is a linear village strung out along the foothills of the Pennines. It is really a group of separate hamlets. Melmerby is completely different. This is much more of the traditional village shape with most of the houses clustered around a huge village green nestling under the bulk of the Pennines. Going East from Melmerby the only way is up, up the twisting, spectaculr road (A686) which scales the Pennine Ridge at Hartside (over 2000ft) and on towards Britain's highest market town Alston.. 

This is an area of oustanding natural beauty indeed much of the Parish lies within the North Pennines AONB. This is a truly rural area and has remained virtually untouched for centuries. It is still an intensly agriculatural area with both villages still having many working farms.

Both villages are small, about 80 houses in each but non the less vibrant

Facilities Ousby: Pub (The Fox Inn), Post Office (not open every day), Caravan Park, Community Centre. Church

Facilities Melmerby: Shop & Post office (The Fellside Stores); Pub (The Shepherds Inn); the World famous Village Bakery (Organic produce and cafe); caravan park, bed and breafast establishments; caravan park; Village Hall (Opened in 2004 by HRH The Prince of Wales); Church

Getting to Ousby and Melmerby

From North or South: M6 to Junction 40 (the follow directions for From The West)

From the West: A66 to Jct 40 M6. Continue heading A66 Scotch Corner. At next roundabout take A686 signed Alston. Beyond the village of Langwathby at Crossroads turn right for Ousby, For Melmerby continue on A686 heading towards Alston. Melemrby sits astride the A686.

From the East: Head for Alston then continue on A686 towards Penrith. As you descend down Hartside - very steep, winding, dangerous road - please take care - you will find the village of Melmerby nestling at the at the end of the decent. For Ousby, take the left fork in Melmerby signed Ousby. This is a narrow road so take care - tractors are very big! You may prefer to take the other route to Ousby which is a little less dangerous. For this head from Melmerby on the A686 towards Penrith. After passing Ballantynes Garage (No petrol) on  the right, take the next left. Thius road is wider but it does have some narrow sections so take care - OPusbt's tractors are just as big!