Cockermouth
The market town of Cockermouth is on the River Derwent at the north-western tip of the Lake District. Dating from Norman times, with much of its medieval streetplan remaining, and beautiful Georgian architecture, it has a strong sense of history.
All Saint's Church, Cockermouth
The Cockermouth Trail is a good introduction to the town, taking visitors around its many famous landmarks and lesser-known attractions. It is well signposted, with 19 plaques along the trail to show the way A map can be obtained from the tourist information centre or from www.cockermouth.org.uk/trail.
William Wordsworth's Home
Cockermouth is famous for being the birthplace of the poet William Wordsworth in 1770. Just at the end of the main street, Wordsworth House has been restored to how it would have been in Wordsworth’s day and is open to the public. There are hands-on activities for children and costumed living history.
Continuing the literary theme, the Printing Museum has a fascinating range of printing presses housed in a building dating back to the 16th century.
The Jennings brewery and museum, based in Cockermouth since 1828, is a different sort of historical experience – but just as popular! Visitors can take a guided tour of the brewing facilities, find out about the 175 year old process, see how the beer is made and sample the finished product.
For a guide to the Lake District’s oldest industry, visit the Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre, the single most popular tourist attraction in the Cockermouth area. Visitors get the chance to come face to face with 19 breeds of live sheep, experience the skills of the sheep shearers and of the highly trained sheep dogs. This is a favourite with children especially.
Nearby Wood Hall has stunning gardens, designed by landscape architect Thomas Mawson in 1910. Within the 5 ½ acre site are panoramic terrace views of Skiddaw to Buttermere, balustrades, summerhouses, a cold house, formal fish pond and many varieties of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. The gardens are open by appointment only. Contact Mrs Jackson on 01900 823585.
Cockermouth is a wonderful place for shopping, with many small specialist shops, ranging from antique shops to second-hand bookshops, local produce stalls and quality butchers. There is also a large Sainsbury’s supermarket.
There is no shortage of places to eat and drink in Cockermouth, from tea rooms and cafes to pubs selling real ales and good food and riverside restaurants.
- The Quince & Medlar serves fantastic vegetarian food and is featured in the Which Good Food Guide, Hardens, Hunter Davies Good Guide to the Lakes, AA Food Guide, Country Living Rural Food Guide and Vegetarian Britain.
- The Bitter End is a highly regarded pub and restaurant with local ales and excellent food, as well as its own brewery.
Cockermouth has an annual beer festival, held in December.
In the evenings, the Kirkgate Centre offers a range of activities and events, including drama, films, dance, workshops and exhibitions.
Cockermouth is very close to many of the Lake District’s most stunning mountains and lakes. Loweswater and Buttermere are just 7 miles away, Ennerdale 10 miles and Keswick 13 miles. Here you will find the full range of outdoor activities that the Lake District has to offer – hundreds of walks and climbs, water sports, pony trekking and paragliding. Cockermouth’s tourist information centre has details on all of these.
Useful Links for Cockermouth
- For Merienda, a cafe specialising in fair trade and local produce, please visit www.merienda.co.uk
- For the Bitter End, a lovely pub with its own brewery, visit www.bitterend.co.uk
- For Jennings Brewery and Museum, visit www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk
- For the Sheep & Wool Centre, please visit www.shepherdshotel.co.uk
- For the Cockermouth town trail, please visit www.cockermouth.org.uk/trail.
- If you would like to spend a day of guided climbing, canoeing, ghyll scrambling or other outdoor adventure sports, then visit Carol at www.carolclimb.co.uk or Andy at www.adventures.org.uk
- For guided walks, historical tours and stories of local legends, battles and ghosts visit www.touchstonetours.co.uk.
- For general climbing information, please visit Steve Crowe's website: www.climbonline.co.uk
- For paragliding and guided walks, visit www.airventures.co.uk
- For information on Cockermouth in general, please visit www.cockermouth.org.uk
