In 1965 the British Council for Archaeology named Cockermouth as one of its “gem towns”, worthy of special care and preservation. Whilst this has undoubtedly happened, Cockermouth is also a vibrant and rather cosmopolitan place of around 12,000 inhabitants, its location on the edge of Lakeland (Loweswater and Bassenthwaite Lake are five miles south and east respectively) meaning it has avoided the “tea shoppe” aspect of some of the Lakes. The Romans settled nearby Papcastle, and the Vikings left their mark over the area, but it is the Normans who built Cockermouth castle at the confluence of the River Cocker and the Derwent into which the former flows, establishing the town as one of significance. Water was vital to the town’s development, in terms of it being a crossing place, but also as a resource for the textile industry that grew here in medieval times – it is known there was a fulling mill in Cockermouth in 1160. In the industrial revolution Cockermouth became a textile town, with many mills then dotted through the settlement, but it was the iron industry that led to the building of the Cockermouth Keswick and Penrith Railway in late Victorian times. The town itself still shows its medieval bones, and Percy House, now a gallery with exhibitions changing monthly, is known to date from the 14th century, and puts flesh on those bones for visitors. Much of the architecture though is solid Georgian, thick walls and green slate roofs, and a walk along the tree-lined Kirkgate reveals lovely terraced housing from that era and from a century earlier. There is plenty of Victorian building to be seen too: one particular glory of the town is the ironmongers, JB Banks and Son, a piece of living Victoriana. The poet Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth and attended its school in his formative days, and his house in the main street is now open as a museum dedicated to the poet and the town of that era. The arts today are well served by the Kirkgate Centre, providing theatrical events, but perhaps best known for its world music and art-house cinema. If the soul is served by the arts, the body in Cockermouth is exceptionally well served by the breweries. Jennings, a traditional regional brewery, is in the town, and there are microbreweries to provide competition.
Attraction
Castlegate House Gallery
Cumberland Toy and Model Museum
Jennings Brothers plc
Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre
Printing House Museum
Wordsworth House
Budget
Travelodge Cockermouth *book online*
Care Home
Classes
Cottage
Hatters Croft
Irton House Farm
Dentist
Miss Siddle & Associates
Mr Rigby & Associates
St Helens Dental Surgery
Doctor
24 Fitz Road
Derwent House Surgery
South Street Surgery
Estate Agent
Cumberland Estate Agents
General Accident Property Services
Grisdales
Reeds Rains Estate Agents
Smeatons Estate Agents
Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
Lifestyle & Shapers Fitness Centre
Inn
Market
Cockermouth Country Market
Cockermouth Market
Pub and Bar
Bell Vue
Black Bull
Bowling Green Inn
Brown Cow
Fletcher Christian Tavern
Huntsman
Kirkstile Inn
Lime Kiln Inn
Ship Inn
The Pheasant
Restaurant
Allerdale Court Hotel
Beatfords Country Restaurant
Hundith Hill Hotel
Junipers
Kingfisher Inn
Kirkstile Inn
Marmaris Restaurant
Oscar’s Restaurant
Quince & Medlar Restaurant
Riverside Restaurant
Thyme Restaurant
Trattoria Giulia
Self-Catering
Solicitor
Taxi
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Cockermouth CC (Cricket)
Cockermouth LTC (Tennis)
Cockermouth Volleyball Club (Volleyball)
Keswick (Women's Hockey)
Shops
The New Bookshop
Boots
Oakhurst Garden Centre & Squirrels Pantry Tea Room
Moota Garden Centre
Cockermouth Pet Supplies
S N Heal
S R Shoes
Dalzell Shoes Ltd
Cumbria Skylark Studio
Peter Silken Studio
Percy House Gallery
Hartleys Ice Cream Parlour
Merienda
Cockermouth Gift & Coffee Shop
Number Seventeen Delicatessen
Tony Harrison Quality Butchers
Peter Wilson Butchers
Allison & Sons Ltd
The Linden Tree
Hallmark Cards
Lake District Outdoor
Antiques
Cockermouth Antiques
Bridge House Antiques
CGs Curiosity Shop
Daisy Chain
Activities
Cockermouth Company of Archers(Archery)
Places to Stay near Cockermouth
Manor House Hotel (0.11 miles)
Allerdale Court Hotel (0.25 miles)
Now family owned and run, we pride ourselves on warm hospitality, good food and the constant attention to detail that are the hallmarks of The Allerdale Court’s friendly and dedicated staff. We have 21 en-suite ... More | visit website
Travelodge Cockermouth (0.48 miles)
Travelodge Cockermouth is located in the Western Lake District approximately 1 mile to the south of Cockermouth town centre at the junction of the A5086 and A66 trunk road. Close by you will find Wordsworth ... More | visit website
Ditton Lodge (0.58 miles)
The Old Homestead (2.05 miles)
The Old Homestead is an award-winning country guest house offering high quality bed and breakfast accommodation in the Lorton Valley in The Lake District National Park. The property consists of ... More
Broughton Craggs Hotel (2.46 miles)
Family-run country house hotel set in 3 acres of delightful grounds, overlooking Derwent Valley and the Fells beyond. Broughton Craggs provides a warm, friendly service and has won various Silver ... More
Old Posting House (3.08 miles)
The Old Vicarage (3.59 miles)
Winder Hall Country House (3.72 miles)
Link House (4.84 miles)
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