Cockermouth in the Lake District National Park Cockermouth is a small, historic, market town situated in the northern part of the Lake District National Park, at the point where the rivers Cocker and Derwent meet. Settlement of the area goes back to the Iron Age. The Romans built a fort at Papcastle at the junction of the Roman rads to Maryport, Penrith and Carlisle. Cockermouth Castle was built around 1250 and the present town grew up about it. The castle is now in ruins and not generally open to the public. It was granted a market charter in 1221and quickly developed as an important market centre. It once had it's own Moot Hall but that was demolished in 1829. A market is still held on Mondays. Once popular with the gentry, it still is a popular base for exploring northern lakeland, though after the dramatic fellside approaches from the south and east it can look a little flat. William Wordsworth was born here and Wordsworth House, built in 1746 and the poet's birthplace is a museum containing all manner of memorabilia relating to the poet and his life. The Kirkgate centre in Cockermouth was converted from the former derelict All Saints School through the hard work and help of local people, charities and businesses. It is Cockermouth's main arts venue with an exhibition space and 125 seat theatre/cinema. The Kirkgate is located just off Cockermouth's Market Place, only 2 minutes walk from the town centre. To see whats going off take a look at Kirkgate centre There are several other places of interest to the visitor. The Mineral Museum exhibits some of the finest mineral specimens in Northern England. The Museum of Printing has a varied and fascinating range of printing presses brought together from all over Britain. The Toy and Model Museum exhibits a wide selection of mainly British toys from 1900 to the present day. Jennings Brewery offers 1.5 hour tours around the Brewery, explaining the various processes involved in brewing traditional beer. A leaflet desrcibing the Town Trail is available from the tourist information centre at Town Hall, Market St. Cockermouth's Castlegate House Gallery exhibits contemporary paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and glass from English, Scottish and World artists. View the website on Castlegate House Gallery Jennings Brewery website can be found at Jennings Brewery Take a look at Cockermouths own website at Cockermouth for more local information. Accommodation in Cockermouth Best Western Ennerdale Country House Hotel Main Street, Cleator, Nr Cockermouth A delightful Grade Two listed building located in the quiet corner of the Western Lake District. All rooms have been refurbished to a very high standard and incorporate entertainment systems of Playstation, CD player and Video Recorders. The hotel has a wide range of accommodation including 4 four poster rooms 3 with Spa baths. Enjoy Breathtaking scenery on our doorstep or for the more energetic the coast to coast walk is just outside our front door. Other local attractions are Muncaster Castle, Sparkling Reaction, The Western Lakes and Fells and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Narrow Guage Railway are all in easy drive of the hotel. Check Availability

Wordsworth's birthplace Cockermouth

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