Pictures of Cockermouth

About Cockermouth

Cockermouth is ideally placed to be used as a centre for touring the Lake District National Park. It has a High Street seemingly unaltered, and is ringed by some of the finest scenery in England with the waters of the River Cocker flowing through the town to meet up with the meandering River Derwent.

This is a place that is perfect for anyone wanting lots to do, apart from being in fabulous walking country Cockermouth has a wealth of places to explore. Its tourist attractions include some to with associations with William Wordsworth who added so much to Lakeland's fame. Wordsworth House is internationally known as one of the poet's two principal residences in the Lake District, the other is Dove Cottage at Grasmere. A memorial bronze bust of the poet stands opposite Wordsworth House, which acts as a "living" museum depicting the life of the Wordsworth family as it would have been lived in the 18th century.

Percy House is a stunning split level property from 1390, it is the town's oldest surviving town house and provides a handsome backdrop for the work of Cumbrian artists. The rooms show a rich array of paintings, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and photographs, silver, glassware and wood carvings, all created by a band of youthful talented young men and women from around Cumbria.

The Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre is a "hands on" experience for everyone. Here you can meet 19 different breeds of sheep during the centre's indoor presentation, when you can also watch the art of sheep shearing and see at work the partnership existing between the shepherd and his dog, as between them they skilfully handle the flock.

Harris Park is a fabulous green space given to the town by Mrs Harris, widow of Joseph Harris in 1895. The Harris family owned the local linen mill. The park affords excellent views of the town and has pleasant walks, a children's play area, bowling and tennis.

Few views rival those seen from the terraces of Wood Hall Gardens where the whole panorama from Skiddaw to Buttermere is laid out before you. The gardens, open on accasions to the public, where designed in 1910 by international landscape designer Thomas Mawson, who made the most of Wood Hall's exceptional setting. Visitors can see a rich variety of mature trees, ornamental stone summerhouses, a cold house, large fish pond with wonderful specimens of goldfish. Within the 5/6 acre site there are various formal and informal gardens, these have been carefully planted with colourful flowers, interesting shrubs and herbaceous plants. Regretfully, the house that stood on the site was demolished in the 1940's after suffering from severe dry rot caused by the water flowing down from the hillside. After this the site lay abandoned for a period of years until the gardens were rescued in the 1970's.

All Saints Church is perhaps Cockermouth's most beautiful building. It was originally built in splendid Gothic style by Henry Percy in 1395, and was later replaced with a plainer building in 1711. This church was raised to the ground by the ravages of a fire in 1850, following this bitter blow to the town a third church, in the Early English style was erected. Thus, this is the church we see today, with its Bible and Prayer Book placed within at the time of its dedication in 1854 on display. The church has much that is worthy of note, its spire reaches to 180 feet, and there is some very fine Victorian glass including a memorial window to William Wordsworth who was baptised here. In the lawned, tree lined churchyard there are the graves and tombs of several centuries, amongst these is the burial spot of Wordsworth's father.

Cockermouth is a lively ambient town, proud of its heritage but with its sights firmly on the future. It is a superb inland resort town were visitors will find themselves warmly welcomed and well catered for. The town has a wide range of accommodation ranging from the luxurious to the simplicity of bed and breakfast in friendly Lakeland homes. There are lots of events, these include a carnival, rock and roll day, woolfest and Georgian fun day. As well as this there is a regular craft fair and farmers market.

The romantic charm of the town is made more vibrant by its close proximity to the Solway Firth with its wonderful golden beaches and stunning vista's towards the coast of Dumfries and Galloway. But it is the immemorial peace and beauty so beloved of Wordsworth that continues to be captivating, leaving summertime memories of a lively town within a hauntingly beautiful landscape.

Interesting & Historical Facts about Cockermouth

The famous poet William Wordsworth was born in 'Wordsworth House' in Cockermouth, Cumbria (The Lake District).

Cockermouth facts | Cumbria facts