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Cumbria (/ˈkʌmbriə/ KUM-bree-ə) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local government, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's county town is Carlisle, in the north of the county. The only other major urban area is Barrow-in-Furness on the south-western tip of the county.
The administrative county of Cumbria consists of six districts (Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden and South Lakeland) and, in 2019, had a population of just over 500,000 people. Cumbria is one of the most sparsely populated counties in England, with 73.4 people per km2 (190/sq mi). In late 2021, it was proposed that the administrative county of Cumbria would be abolished and replaced with two new unitary authorities; Westmorland and Furness (Barrow-in-Furness, Eden, South Lakeland) and Cumberland (Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland).[2]
Cumbria is the third largest county in England by area. It is bounded to the north-east by Northumberland, the east by County Durham, the south-east by North Yorkshire, the south by Lancashire, the west by the Irish Sea, the north-west by the Scottish council areas of Dumfries and Galloway, and the north by Scottish Borders.
Cumbria is predominantly rural and contains the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of England's finest areas of natural beauty, serving as inspiration for visual artists, writers and musicians. A large area of the south-east of the county is within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, while the east of the county fringes the North Pennines AONB. Much of Cumbria is mountainous and it contains every peak in England over 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea level, with the top of Scafell Pike at 3,209 feet (978 m) being the highest point in England. An upland, coastal and rural area, Cumbria's history is characterised by invasions, migration and settlement, as well as battles and skirmishes between the English and the Scots. Notable historic sites in Cumbria include Carlisle Castle, Furness Abbey, Hardknott Roman Fort, Brough Castle and Hadrian's Wall (also a World Heritage Site).
Keswick, situated between the huge bulk of Skiddaw and the gentle beauty of Derwentwater, has become the major centre for tourism in the northern Lake District. This pretty market town offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, from shops and restaurants to museums with a difference, and boating trips around lake Derwentwater. In 1276 Edward I granted the town its market charter, and it continues to this day. Keswick Market is of good quality and brings many locals and visitors to the town. The general market stands every Saturday and Thursday, except in high winds. In the centre of the Market Square is the Moot Hall, now home to the Tourist Information Centre. Keswick is now one of the main centres of Outdoor Activities in the UK and an extensive selection of Adventure Activity companies, guides and instructors for all abilities are based around here.
Ghyll Scrambling is very popular, as is water sports, and 2 marinas are situated on nearby Derwentwater. There are 2 indoor climbing walls, several mountain bike hire shops and a large array of outdoor gear shops. Glamping is becoming very popular with a good choice of beautiful sites near Keswick.
Walking in the fells is a major draw to Keswick and boots can be hired from George Fisher’s shop on Lake Road. Borrowdale, at the far end of the lake, is particularly interesting for climbers. Paragliders can often be seen flying from the hills around the town. The original settlement was at Crosthwaite, on the Western side of the town. The first Church at Crosthwaite was built in 553 AD, and named St Kentigern. Canon Rawnsley, served the church as vicar from 1883-1917. He was one of the co-founders of the National Trust, which owns much land in the area.
The rural economy was transformed in the reign of Elizabeth I, when minerals, copper in particular, were discovered in Newlands and Borrowdale. The discovery of black lead at Seathwaite in the 16th century sparked off pencil making which is still the major industry in the town. The Pencil Museum tells the story of pencil making in Keswick.
Visitors arrived in increasing numbers from the 1700’s, many of them literary pilgrims attracted by the area’s close association with the Romantic poets – Southey, Coleridge and Wordsworth.
Between 1885, when she was 19, and 1907, Beatrix Potter spent summer holidays at Lingholm and Fawe Park, the two stately homes whose estates now occupy most of the north western side of Derwentwater. The two houses, their gardens and the surrounding landscape provided material for several of her books.
Bothel is a delightful rural agricultural village which has a fascinating history dating back to Roman times. Bothel, the original name meaning 'the dwelling', lies in the parish of Bothel and Threapland and is in the Ecclesiastical district of Torpenhow.
Also known as Bothill, Boald, and as described on Christopher Saxons map of 1576, Bodell, this was because the old English used a barred (d) which was pronounced (th). Close to Bothel was the Roman Fort of Caermot, which was probably used as an observation post and a signal station, as the prefix 'Caer' applied by Celtic peoples to a walled or fortified place, would imply.
The church of St. Michael Torpenhow is one of 98 churches in the Diocese of Carlisle built in the 12th century, only 6 remain unspoilt, St Michael can claim to be one of these.
The dedication to St Michael is mentioned in the will of John Corom of Bothel dated 1319 where he wished to be buried. Bothel has the privilege of preserving seven listed buildings and one monument in the village, three of these are in Bank Lane (once known as Bank Lonning or High Street).
The first is Briscoe House, where parish registers record Robert Briscoe son of John Briscoe of Bothel was baptised 1676. Next is 'High House' which still retains a beautiful thrashing barn in excellent condition.
'Sciddaw View' the third farm is another example of 17th century Cumbrian long farmhouses.
Although not listed, next to Skiddaw View at Fell View Farm are three Quarry Houses dated 1694. 'Swan House' the fourth listed building was originally a Coaching House and was one of two coaching houses in the village, it was known as 'The White Swan' and later as St. Bathans Lodge.
This is situated on Pinfold Green and as the name implies, until the by-pass was built in 1950, a Pinfold stood on the green.
'Bothel Hall' another grade II listed building at the north end of the village mid 18th century with 19th century alterations.
The old sluice water mill in School Lane is mentioned as far back as 1599 when an application was made by Thomas Ellys of Bothel to extend the Bothel water corn mill.
The triangular market place was the centre of the Medieval town of Wigton, which received its market charter in 1262. On the site where the memorial fountain now is, stood a wooden Market Cross. Many of the buildings around the market place are of Georgian style, and the upper storeys have altered little. In the market place is an elaborate 19th Century fountain erected in 1872 by George Moore of Whitehall in Mealsgate, in memory of his wife. It is built of granite, and features four fine bronze reliefs of the Acts of Mercy by the Pre-Raphaelite sculptor Thomas Woolner. On the north side (opposite the Kings Arms) is ‘Visiting the Afflicted’, the east illustrates ‘Clothing the Naked’, the south has ‘Instructing the Ignorant’, and the west side has ‘Feeding the Hungry’. Above each bronze is a small granite carving of the face of Mrs Moore, surrounded by leaves. The original Parish Church, incorporated a Pele Tower like Burgh-by-Sands and Newton Arlosh. The Church was in a dilapidated condition, and was demolished to make way for the present Parish Church – St Mary’s which dates from 1788, and is based on the design of St Michael’s Church, Workington.
Wigton Civic Trust have published a booket – ‘A Walk around Wigton – three urban trails’, researched by the pupils of Nelson Thomlinson School. Melvyn Bragg’s ‘Speak For England’ is an oral history of the present century, based on interviews with the people of Wigton.
The Catholic church on King Street, dedicated to St. Cuthbert, is a neat Gothic edifice, designed by Ignatius Bonomi in 1837. Its front is exceedingly handsome, and the interior is well finished, especially the ceiling and organ gallery. The writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg was born in Wigton in 1939. Also born in Wigton were Ewan Clarke, the Cumberland poet; R. Smirke, R.A. (father of architects Sir Robert Smirke and Sydney Smirke), the historical painter; George Barnes, the mathematician; Joseph Rooke, the self-taught weaver; and John Rooke, the writer on political economy and geology. Highmoor Mansion was built in 1885 by Edwin and Henry Banks. There was a tower built to house a clock, carillon and “Big Joe”, a large bell. The carillon played a different tune every day and a hymn on Sundays. Highmoor Mansion, the Banks’ family home, is now flats.
High up in the North Pennines, Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in England, being about 1000 feet above sea level. It is also remote, about 20 miles from the nearest town. From every direction Alston is approached over a broad, heather-clad Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on the upper reaches of the River South Tyne, it lies within the Eden district of Cumbria. Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. Next to the entrance to the Church, is a building dated 1681. The Angel pub to its left is dated 1611, and the white building left of the pub is dated 1687. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard, and Alston Cheese. Alston Moor grew as a lead mining community over four centuries ago, with Alston town serving the mining families. You can see the history of the lead mining industry in the area at the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre, nearby. Alston is the starting point for the South Tynedale Railway, England’s highest narrow gauge railway. St Augustine’s Church was built in 1869, but records show a church has existed here as long as 1145 AD. Inside the church is an interesting clock, brought from Dilston Hall, the home of the Earl of Derwentwater. The Gossipgate gallery, displaying regional arts and crafts, is housed in the former Congregational Church. The A 686 from Penrith in Cumbria to Corbridge in Northumberland, which passes through Alston, was chosen by the AA Magazine as one of their ‘Ten Great Drives’. Between Alston and Melmerby, the road climbs the Hartside Pass to a height of 1904 ft, from where there are magnificent views across the Solway Firth to Scotland. This long and steep climb also forms part of the Sea to Sea Cycle Route. Part of The Pennine Way long distance walk is through East Cumbria, from Alston, and Garrigill, over Cross Fell (which at 2930 feet is the highest point on the Pennine Way), Great Dun Fell, towards Dufton, then on to High Cup Nick and Cow Green Reservoir, on the border between Cumbria and County Durham.
Annan is a town on the north shore of the Solway Firth and is just eight miles from the English border.
Annan lies on the east side of the River Annan and began as a river port in the 14th century. Most of modern Annan was built within the past two centuries.
Shipbuilding, engineering and whisky distilling were key local industries of the 19th century, while the 20th century saw the growth of pharmaceuticals and knitwear.
The elegant Annan Bridge was built in 1826 by Robert Stevenson, while the famous Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle attended school in Annan.
The Royal Burgh of Annan has a bustling high street with a good range of locally run shops, supermarkets and several cafes and restaurants.
Thursby is a commuter village, lying on the old Roman road about 6 miles south of Carlisle.
Thursby takes its old name ‘Thor’s by’ from Thor, the Thunder God of the Saxons, whose temple was reputedly nearby at Kirksteads. The village skyline is dominated by St Andrew’s church, a Victorian building built in 1846, and funded by the Brisco family of Crofton Hall, is on the site of a previous church said to have been built by David I, King of Scotland.
Sir Thomas Bouch was a Thursby boy. He became a great civil engineer, responsible for building the tramway systems in many English cities. Alas, he is remembered for his one monumental failure – the first great Tay railway bridge which collapsed on 28th September 1878, plummeting a train into the river with the loss of all on board. About a mile west of Thursby is the remains of Crofton Hall Estate. Dating from the early 13th century, the estate once covered 3000 acres, and was where the Brisco family resided until the 1930s. Although the estate is no longer intact and the main house was demolished, the lake, walled garden, woodland, Georgian style stable block, and agricultural land remain. On the estate is the Thornby Moor Dairy, started in 1979 by Carolyn Fairbairn. Local shorthorn cows provide milk for unpasteurized cheese. Goats’ cheese is another of their products, which visitors can purchase in the shop after viewing the cheese being made. Crofton Lake is fished by local angling enthusiasts.
