Building pride in Cumbria About Cumbria Cumbria is located in the North West of England. Allerdale The County’s western boundary is defined by the Irish Sea and stretches from the Solway Firth down to Incorporating an impressive coastline, rugged Morecambe Bay. It meets Scotland in the North and mountains and gentle valleys, much of which lie the Pennine Hills to the East. It is the second largest within the Lake District National Park, the borough of county in England and covers almost half (48%) of Allerdale covers a large part of Cumbria’s west coast. the whole land area of the North West region. It is Approximately 95,000 people live within the borough generally recognised as an outstandingly beautiful which includes the towns of Workington, Cockermouth area and attracts huge loyalty from local people and and Keswick. visitors from both the British Isles and overseas. Workington, an ancient market town which also has Cumbria’s settlement pattern is distinct and has been an extensive history of industry lies on the coast at dictated principally by its unique topography. The the mouth of the River Derwent. During the Roman large upland area of fells and mountains in the centre occupation of Britain it was the site of one of the means that the majority of settlements are located Emperor Hadrian’s forts which formed part of the on the periphery of the County and cross-county elaborate coastal defence system of the Roman Wall. communications are limited. The town we see today has grown up around the port and iron and steel manufacturing have long Cumbria is home to around 490,000 people. Again been a part of its heritage. The world famous Henry due to the physical geography of the county this Bessemer first introduced his revolutionary steel population is very dispersed with more than 70% making process here. In recent years the decline of settlements containing less than 200 people. of the steel industry and of coal mining has led to The largest settlement, Carlisle, has a population of diversification into other areas. approximately 103,000 and is one of only around 20 with more than 2500 people living there. Cockermouth is a picturesque market town just outside the National Park boundary. Situated at the The County as a whole is one of the most sparsely point the River Derwent meets the River Cocker, populated in the country. On average there are parts of the town date back to the 12th Century. It is 0.7 persons per hectare in Cumbria compared to one of Britain’s 51 ‘Gem’ towns and the Creighton the 3.4 persons per hectare average for the rest of Mineral and Fossil museum holds some of the finest the County. Within the County, however, there are mineral specimens in the North of England. William substantial variations in population density. and Dorothy Wordsworth are probably the town’s For example, Barrow has an average 9.2 persons most famous residents. Both born in Cockermouth, per hectare whilst the figure for Eden is only 0.2. they lived and raised a family of five children in a fine Georgian House which still stands on the Main There are currently six District Councils within Street today. The area has also produced other Cumbria. These are Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, famous figures including Fletcher Christian, who led Copeland, Eden and South Lakeland. the renowned mutiny on the Bounty and John Dalton the noted scientist and father of the atomic theory. Cockermouth is also home to the Jennings Brewery which has been making fine real ales since 1828. The quaint town of Keswick lies entirely within the National Park next to Derwent Water one of the beautiful lakes which make the area so famous. Overlooked by the majestic Skiddaw mountain Keswick has inspired many poets and artists with both HR1 I04 v1.0 www.cumbria.gov.uk its landscape and history. The economy of the town Carlisle including the legendary King Arthur who was was, at one time, predominately mining based due reputedly ruler of early Caerluel, the Emperor Hadrian to the presence of deposits of copper, lead, zinc and whose famous wall runs to the North of the City and silver and although this industry has declined greatly the infamous Macbeth who was ruler of Scotland the outstanding beauty of the area has allowed a whilst the city was under Scottish control. strong tourism based economy to develop, Keswick is one of the busiest towns in the Lake District. The impressive red sandstone castle has seen many prestigious guests including Mary Queen of Scots who was incarcerated there and Bonnie Prince Barrow Charlie declared his Father King from Carlisle Cross. Sir Walter Scott married in the Cathedral which was Barrow Borough has a population of about 70,000. founded in 1122 and has some fine examples of 14th The main town Barrow-in-Furness is a bustling Century stained glass. Carlisle has a healthy and Victorian town with wide tree-lined streets and a diverse business community. The County Council as wealth of fine buildings. Furness Abbey, founded in one of the County’s main employers has its main Barrow in 1123 was the second wealthiest Cistercian administration here. Several other well known Abbey in England. Today it is one of England’s most companies have sites in the city for example, McVities impressive monastic ruins and is thought to have (Carr’s of Carlisle) and Cavaghan and Gray. Pirelli links with the Holy Grail. In the 14th century the also have a large site on the outskirts of the town and monks built a castle on the remote Piel Island which the haulier Eddie Stobart began business here. is situated just of the peninsula. The Piel Castle was used by revenue officers in 1669 in the fight against the rising tide of smuggling along the Cumbrian Copeland coast. Copeland Borough has a population of about 70,000 1846 marked the beginning of Barrow’s modern and like the rest of the County has a rich and diverse history. It was in this year that the Furness Railway history both cultural and industrial. High in the was built to transport iron ore and slate out of the Eskdale valley evidence of the County’s extensive area. Now BAE Systems (Marine) Devonshire Dock Roman connections can be seen at Hardknott fort. At Hall dominates the skyline in the southern part of the the foot of the valley at Ravenglass are the remains town and symbolises its continued long association of a Roman bath-house. with shipbuilding and maritime activities. The South Walney Nature Reserve is home to over 60,000 birds Many fascinating remains from other periods of and boasts the most southerly Eider Duck breeding history can be found in Copeland. For example, the ground in Britain. The North Walney Reserve is home prehistoric Kirkstanton Stone Circle, Egremont Castle, to the rare Natterjack Toad and the Walney Geranium St Bees Priory and a 10th Century Cross bearing which grows nowhere else in the world. Pagan and Norse inscriptions at Gosforth Church. Much of the current layout of Whitehaven, the main Carlisle and District town in Copeland, was based on the grid design by Sir Christopher Wren and was built by the Lowther Carlisle is, by area, England’s largest city servicing a family. It has many examples of fine Georgian catchment area of almost half a million people. It is architecture. Another of the English ‘Gem’ towns, also one of the oldest with its roots pre-dating the it was in the mid 18th Century, a larger port than Roman era and the first of its Royal Charters going Liverpool. Its prosperity was based on ship-building, back to 1353. Located close to the border with Scotland, the export of coal and the importing of tobacco, rum Carlisle has played a strategic role throughout history and sugar. In recent years the harbour area has and has been the centre of many bloody feuds not been the focus of much re-development and the new least those between the Scottish and the English marina hosts a tall ships event every year. during the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Some of the country’s most historical figures can be linked to www.cumbria.gov.uk Eden to the Parr family whose most famous member was Katherine, Henry VIII’s sixth wife. The natural The Eden Valley is a beautiful lush green river valley splendour of the area has provided inspiration for edged by the North Pennines. The spectacular views great writers, poets, artists and craftsmen. ‘Hill Top’ is and charming sandstone villages are home to a where Beatrix Potter wrote her celebrated children’s population of around 52,000 people, the least of any stories. The poet William Wordsworth spent many of the district areas within Cumbria. years in the village of Grasmere. Penrith, once the capital of Cumbria, is the Ulverston, renowned for its year round programme of administrative centre of the area and also the largest colourful festivals, has many claims to fame, including town. With its central position between the Lake being the birthplace of Stan Laurel and home to the District and the North Pennines, it is very accessible world famous Laurel & Hardy Museum. The twice- by road (M6, A6 and A66) and rail. The town and weekly street market, charming speciality shops and surrounding area offer many attractions and The narrow, cobbled streets are a major draw for local Penrith Information Centre and Museum is the ideal people and visitors alike. starting point for those planning to explore.