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{{Short description|Town in Cumbria, England}}

'''Cockermouth''' is a [[town]] in [[Cumbria]], [[England]], where the [[River Cocker]] flows into the [[River Derwent, Cumbria|River Derwent]]. It is situated on the North west fringe of the [[Lake District|English Lake District]]. This ___location tends to enhance the life and character of the town without the negative impact of receiving too many [[tourism|tourists]] (as some believe has occurred in the case of Cockermouth's neighbour [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]]). Much of the architectural core of the town remains largely unchanged since the [[18th century|18th]] and [[19th century|19th]] centuries. {{GBmap|Cockermouth - Cumbria|NY121306}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}

{{Infobox UK place

| country = England

| coordinates = {{coord|54.6613|-3.3620|display=inline,title}}

| official_name = Cockermouth

| type = Town and parish

| population_ref = 8,847 (Parish, 2021)<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=2021 Census Parish Profiles |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=31 March 2025}} (To get individual community data, use the query function on table PP002.)</ref><br>{{nowrap|8,860 (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=2021bua>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>}}

| civil_parish = Cockermouth<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cockermouth.org/|title=Official Cockermouth Town Council & Tourist Information TIC|website=Official Cockermouth Town Council & Tourist Information TIC}}</ref>

| unitary_england = [[Cumberland (unitary authority)|Cumberland]]

| lieutenancy_england = [[Cumbria]]

| region = North West England

| constituency_westminster = [[Penrith and Solway (UK Parliament constituency)|Penrith & Solway]]

| post_town = COCKERMOUTH

| postcode_district = CA13

| postcode_area = CA

| dial_code = 01900

| os_grid_reference = NY121304

| static_image_name = Cockermouth Church.jpg

| static_image_caption = All Saints Church

| london_distance = 526&nbsp;km

}}

'''Cockermouth''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|k|ɚ|m|aʊ|θ|,_|-|ə|θ}}<ref>{{Cite book |title=BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names |isbn=978-0192827456|publisher=Oxford Paperbacks |page=57 |edition=2nd |last=Pointon |first=Graham |date=1990}}</ref> is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[Cumberland (district)|Cumberland]] unitary authority area of [[Cumbria]], England. The name refers to the town's position by the confluence of the [[River Cocker, Cumbria|River Cocker]] into the [[River Derwent, Cumbria|River Derwent]]. At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], the built up area had a population of 8,860.

[[Image:cmouth1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Main Street, Cockermouth]][[image:cmouth2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Kirkgate, Historic centre of Cockermouth]]

Cockermouth is situated a short distance outside the English [[Lake District]] on its north-west fringe. Much of the architectural core of the town remains unchanged since the basic medieval layout was filled in the 18th and 19th centuries. The regenerated market place is now a central historical focus within the town and reflects events from its 800-year history. The town is prone to flooding and experienced severe floods in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/image_galleries/cockermouth_floods_gallery.shtml?45 |title=Cockermouth Floods, January 2005 |website=Bbc.co.uk |language=en-gb |access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref> 2009<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cumbria/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8378000/8378388.stm |title=The story of the Cumbrian floods |date=2009-12-07 |access-date=2019-09-07 |language=en-gb}}</ref> and 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35028180 |title=Defences against the indefensible?|last=Kinver |first=Mark |website=Bbc.com |date=2015-12-07 |access-date=2019-09-07 |language=en-gb}}</ref>

The town has ancient roots and Romans, Vikings and Normans have each left alingering marks on the Town and surrounding place names.Curiously, Cockermouth lays claim to be the first town in [[Britain]] to pilot [[electric]] [[lighting]]. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of [[William and Dorothy Wordsworth]], [[John Grayston]], and [[Fletcher Christian]] (of [[Mutiny on the Bounty]] fame). [[John Dalton]] (a father of [[atomic theory]]) was born in a village on the outskirts of Cockermouth and Astronomer Royal [[Fearon Fallows]] also hailed from the town.Also world famous mountaineer and TV personality Chris Bonnington is a native of the Town as well as previously running a photography shop. [[Wordsworth House]] has recently been expensively restored and visitors may take tea in its 18th century kitchen. Cockermouth is situated within a few minutes travelling distance from lakes such as [[Ennerdale Water|Ennerdale]], [[Crummock]], [[Loweswater]] and [[Bassenthwaite Lake|Bassenthwaite]], but is much less crowded with tourists than many Cumbrian towns.

[[Mary, Queen of Scots]], came to Cockermouth in 1568, after her defeat at the [[Battle of Langside]]. She is said to have stayed at the house of Henry Fletcher (died 1574), who gave her a velvet gown and she later sent him a letter of thanks. Fletcher's son moved from Cockermouth to [[Moresby Hall]] in [[Parton, Cumbria]].<ref>Henry Manders, ''Moresby Hall'' (Whitehaven, 1875), p. 68.</ref>

There was a [[market]] every Monday in the town's Market Place from the 13th century, but in recent times the event is held infrequently, if at all. Much of the centre of the town is [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] with [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] infill. The tree lined Kirkgate offers splendid examples of unspoilt classical 17th and 18th century terraced housing, cobbled paving and wistful twisty curving lanes which run steeply down to the [[River Cocker]]. Many of the buildings are of traditional slate and stone construction with thick walls and green slate roofs. Many of the facades lining the streets are frontages for historic housing in alleyways and lanes (often maintaining medieval street patterns) to the rear. An example of this may be observed through the alleyway adjacent to the almost perfectly preserved Market Place hardware merchant (J.B.Banks and Son) where 18th century dye workers' cottages line one side of the lane and the former works faces them from the other. Other examples may be observed behind frontages in Castlegate Drive, Main Street and Kirkgate.

==Toponymy==

Attractions include the sizeable but partly ruined [[Norman architecture | Norman]] [[castle]] (still inhabited by Lady Egremont) built at the confluence of the Rivers Cocker and Derwent, (complete with a tilting tower which hangs Pisa-like over Jennings Brewery. The castle and its preserved dungeons is open only once a year during the annual festival. The Printing House Museum, the Toy Museum and Wordworth's birthplace are other attractions. There is also a Lakeland Sheep Centre which offers daily shows in its theatre.

''Cockermouth'' is "the mouth of the River Cocker"; the river takes its name from the [[Brittonic languages|Brythonic Celtic]] word {{lang|xcb|kukrā}}, meaning 'the crooked one'.<ref name="Whaley">{{Cite book |last=Whaley |first=Diana |title=A dictionary of Lake District place-names |___location=Nottingham |publisher=English Place-Name Society |year=2006 |pages=lx, 76, 423 |isbn=0904889726 }}</ref> It has frequently been noted on lists of [[Place names considered unusual|unusual place names]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=29zh3dIgmv8C&pg=PR9 |title=Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places |publisher=Adams Media |last=Parker |first=Quentin |year=2010 |pages=ix |isbn=9781440507397}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==History==

Cockermouth is also home to the respected and traditional [[Jenning's Brewery]] which offers regular public tours and occassional carriage rides pulled by a shire horse. Culturally, the [[Kirkgate Centre]] offers international music, theatre and cinema (including international and art-house movies on Monday evenings) and the town has an annual festival of concerts and performances each Summer. Cockermouth has an annual Easter Fair, fireworks display and carnival. In April 2005 and it is to host a Georgian Fair. At Christmas the town puts on an impressive display of festive lights, which are accompanied by impressive shop displays.

The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] built a fort at [[Derventio (Papcastle)|Derventio Carvetiorum]], now the adjoining village of [[Papcastle]], to protect the river crossing on a major route for troops heading towards [[Hadrian's Wall]].<ref name="Bradbury">{{Cite book |author=J Bernard Bradbury |title=Cockermouth and District in Old Photographs |publisher=Alan Sutton |year=1994}}</ref>

The main town developed under the [[Normans]] who, after occupying the former Roman fort, built [[Cockermouth Castle]] closer to the river crossing; little remains today of the castle thanks to the efforts of [[Robert the Bruce]]. The market town developed its distinctive medieval layout, of a broad main street of burgesses' houses, each with a burgage plot stretching to a "back lane": the Derwent bank on the north and Back Lane (now South Street), on the south.<ref name="CockHist"/> The layout is largely preserved, leading the British Council for Archaeology to say in 1965 that it was "worthy of special care in preservation and development."<ref name="Bradbury"/>

Cockermouth has a two primary schools, a secondary school and several churches, three medical and dental surgeries, a complementary health centre, an arts centre, and an internationally renowned art gallery (Castlegate House). Percy House Gallery on Main Street has a ceiling which dates from the 16th century with some of its timberwork dating from the 14th century. The town has many antique shops, three main galleries, and more than 14 cafes (most of which serve good espresso and varied teas). There are many restaurants and of course lots of pubs. There is even a gourmet fish and chip restaurant in the Market Place. [[The Bitter End Pub]] in Kirkgate has its own [[micro-brewery]] and visiting ales. The largest hotel is the Georgian fronted Trout which still has a faded photo on its walls of [[Bing Crosby]] who used the hotel as a base for his fishing in the town's rivers.

Although [[Carlisle]] was considered the [[county town]] of Cumberland, the county's [[assizes]] sometimes sat at Cockermouth,<ref name=Escott/> and the county's [[quarter sessions]] were held alternately at Carlisle and Cockermouth.<ref>{{cite book |title=Parliamentary Papers: Volume 27 |date=1836 |page=80a |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Parliamentary_Papers/y0oSAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA3-PA80&printsec=frontcover |access-date=15 April 2025}}</ref> Prior to the [[Reform Act 1832]], Cockermouth was the usual venue for electing [[knights of the shire]] (MPs for the [[Cumberland (UK Parliament constituency)|Cumberland constituency]]).<ref name=Escott>{{cite book |last1=Escott |first1=Margaret |series=The History of Parliament |title=The House of Commons 1820–1832 |chapter=Cumberland County |url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/constituencies/cumberland |via=History of Parliament Online |publisher=Cambridge University Press |editor-first=D.R. |editor-last=Fisher |date=2009}}</ref> [[Cockermouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Cockermouth borough]] was also a [[parliamentary borough]] from 1641 to 1918, returning two MPs until 1868 and one thereafter.

Many of the shops offer a distinctive and local appeal and yet there are three supermarkets (including the only [[Sainsburys]] between [[Lancaster, England|Lancaster]] and [[Glasgow]]), two chemists, two cycle shops, a Wilkinsons store, a sports centre, three bakers, swimming pool and two parks which both facilitate very pleasant riverside walks. The small but charmingly preserved Youth Hostel is sited in a 16th century mill on a bend in the River Cocker's approach to the Town. The adjoining village of [[Papcastle]] is also picturesque village in its own right and stands on the site of a Roman fort. The main cemetery on the Lorton Road is beautiful with streams, humped stone bridges and views of the fells.

===Market centre===

Opion: this town has a really funny name.

The town [[market (place)|market]] pre-dates 1221, when the market day was changed from Saturday to Monday. Market charters were granted in 1221 and 1227 by [[Henry III of England|King Henry III]], although this does not preclude the much earlier existence of a market in the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.ac.uk/cmh/gaz/cumb.html#C |title=Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs to 1516: Cumberland |website=History.ac.uk |date=18 June 2003 |access-date=1 August 2009}}</ref> In recent times, the trading farmers market now only occurs seasonally, replaced by weekend continental and craft markets.

In the days when opening hours of [[public house]]s were restricted, the fact that the pubs in Cockermouth could open all day on market days made the town a popular destination for drinkers, especially on [[Bank Holiday]] Mondays. The Market Bell remains as a reminder of this period (inset into a wall opposite the Allerdale Hotel), while the 1761 and Castle pub (which spans three floors) have been renovated to reveal medieval stonework and 16th and 18th-century features.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

==External link==

*[http://www.cockermouth.org.uk/ Guide to the town]

===Flooding===

[[Category:Towns in Cumbria]]

Cockermouth suffered badly in the [[November 2009 Great Britain and Ireland floods|nationwide floods]] of 19 and 20 November 2009.<ref name="BBC8366360">{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8366360.stm |title=More than 200 people rescued in floods in Cumbria town |work=BBC News |access-date=20 November 2009 |date=20 November 2009}}</ref> Over 200 people needed to be rescued, with [[helicopter]]s from [[RAF Valley]], [[RAF Boulmer]] and [[RAF Leconfield]] retrieving about 50 and the remainder being rescued by boats, including those of the [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|RNLI]]. Water levels in the town centre were reported to be as high as {{convert|2.5|m|ftin}} and flowing at a rate of 25 knots. Many historic buildings on and adjacent to Main Street sustained severe damage, as did a number of bridges in and around the town. Recovery from the devastation was slow, with residents placed in temporary accommodation and some businesses temporarily relocated to [[Robinson Mitchell|Mitchells]] auction mart. By the summer of 2011, most of the damage had been repaired and buildings re-occupied, though some remained empty or boarded up.

Flooding occurred again in 2015, when the River Derwent burst its banks on 5 December, with several hundred homes and businesses affected.<ref>{{cite web |title='I can't go through this again': Cumbrians struggle with floods aftermath |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/07/cumbria-floods-cockermouth-storm-desmond-town-comes-to-terms-with-damage |work=The Guardian |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref>

[[eo:Cockermouth]]

The rear part of the [[Old Courthouse, Cockermouth|Old Courthouse]] collapsed into the River Cocker in October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-67045845 |title=Back of Cockermouth's Old Courthouse collapses into river |date=8 October 2023 |website=BBC News |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/historic-old-courthouse-building-in-cockermouth-collapses-into-river-12980161 |title= Historic Old Courthouse building in Cockermouth collapses into river |date=8 October 2023 |website=Sky News |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-67371919 |title= Cockermouth Old Courthouse: All options being explored |date=10 November 2023 |website=BBC News |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref>

===Architecture===

[[File:River Cocker - geograph.org.uk - 461344.jpg|thumb|left|The River Cocker, with the walkway attached to the building]]

Much of the centre of the town is of medieval origin, substantially rebuilt in [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] style with [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] infill. The tree-lined Kirkgate offers examples of unspoilt classical late 17th and 18th-century terraced housing, cobbled paving and curving lanes which run steeply down to the River Cocker. Most of the buildings are of traditional slate and stone construction with thick walls and green [[Skiddaw slate]] roofs.

Many of the facades lining the streets are frontages for historic housing in alleyways and lanes (often maintaining medieval street patterns) to the rear. There are examples of Georgian residences near the Market Place, St. Helens Street, at the bottom of Castlegate Drive and Kirkgate.

Cockermouth may have been the first town in Britain to have piloted [[electric]] [[lighting]]. In 1881, six electric lamps were set up to light the town, together with gas oil lamps in the back streets. The electrical service was intermittent, so the town returned to gas lighting.<ref>Bradbury, J. Bernard ''History of Cockermouth'' Richard Byers 1995 p.100 {{ISBN|0952981203}}</ref>

In 1964, Cockermouth was named one of 51 ''[[Gem towns|Gem Towns]]'' in the UK, by the [[Council for British Archaeology]]. This recognised the importance of the historic buildings and the need for effective traffic management and urban development.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://isgap.org.uk/gem-towns |title=Gem Towns &#124; ISGAP |website=Isgap.org.uk}}</ref>

==Geography==

Cockermouth owes its existence to the confluence of the rivers Cocker and Derwent, historically being the lowest point at which the resultant fast flowing river powered by the Lake District could be bridged.<ref name="CockHist">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cockermouth.org.uk/history/index.htm|title=History of Cockermouth |publisher=Cockermouth.org.uk |access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref> Cockermouth is situated a few minutes' travelling distance from lakes such as [[Buttermere]], [[Crummock Water]], [[Loweswater]] and [[Bassenthwaite Lake|Bassenthwaite]].

===Climate===

Cockermouth has a temperate climate that is influenced by the Irish Sea and its low-lying elevation; it receives slightly below average rainfall compared with the UK average. Temperatures are also about average compared with other parts of the UK. The nearest weather station, for which online records are available, is Aspatria, about {{convert|7|mi|km|0}} north-north-east of the town centre.

The hottest temperatures recorded in the area were {{convert|31.3|C|F}} at [[Lorton, Cumbria|Lorton]] on 19 July 2006 and {{convert|31.1|C|F}} at Aspatria during August 1990,<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Tutiempo.net |url= http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/ASPATRIA/02-08-1990/32150.htm |title=1990 temperature}}</ref> with the coldest being {{convert|-13.9|C|F}} during January 1982<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Tutiempo.net |url= http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/ASPATRIA/11-01-1982/32150.htm |title=1982 temperature}}</ref> at Aspatria and {{convert|-13.8|C|F}} at Lorton on 8 December 2010. West Cumbria gets relatively little snow in comparison with the Lake District and Eastern Cumbria, owing to its proximity to the Irish Sea and its low height above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=[[UKMO]] |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/nwengland/7100_1km/SnowLying_Average_1971-2000_17.gif |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211060300/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/nwengland/7100_1km/SnowLying_Average_1971-2000_17.gif |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 December 2010 |title=Snow Map}}</ref>

{{Weather box|___location = Aspatria, elevation: {{convert|62|m|ft|0}}, 1981–2010 normals

| collapsed =

| metric first = y

| single line = y

| Jan high C = 6.8

| Feb high C = 7.1

| Mar high C = 9.2

| Apr high C = 11.9

| May high C = 15.3

| Jun high C = 17.5

| Jul high C = 19.3

| Aug high C = 18.9

| Sep high C = 16.6

| Oct high C = 13.1

| Nov high C = 9.5

| Dec high C = 6.9

| year high C = 12.7

| Jan mean C = 4.2

| Feb mean C = 4.2

| Mar mean C = 6.0

| Apr mean C = 8.0

| May mean C = 10.9

| Jun mean C = 13.5

| Jul mean C = 15.5

| Aug mean C = 15.2

| Sep mean C = 13.0

| Oct mean C = 9.9

| Nov mean C = 6.7

| Dec mean C = 4.1

| year mean C = 9.2

| Jan low C = 1.5

| Feb low C = 1.3

| Mar low C = 2.7

| Apr low C = 4.0

| May low C = 6.5

| Jun low C = 9.5

| Jul low C = 11.6

| Aug low C = 11.4

| Sep low C = 9.4

| Oct low C = 6.7

| Nov low C = 3.9

| Dec low C = 1.3

| year low C = 5.8

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 101.1

| Feb precipitation mm = 74.8

| Mar precipitation mm = 78.6

| Apr precipitation mm = 57.0

| May precipitation mm = 58.6

| Jun precipitation mm = 69.9

| Jul precipitation mm = 73.7

| Aug precipitation mm = 89.3

| Sep precipitation mm = 89.8

| Oct precipitation mm = 121.4

| Nov precipitation mm = 104.7

| Dec precipitation mm = 106.6

| year precipitation mm = 1025.6

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 15.3

| Feb precipitation days = 10.4

| Mar precipitation days = 13.5

| Apr precipitation days = 11.4

| May precipitation days = 10.5

| Jun precipitation days = 10.9

| Jul precipitation days = 12.0

| Aug precipitation days = 12.9

| Sep precipitation days = 12.0

| Oct precipitation days = 16.1

| Nov precipitation days = 14.4

| Dec precipitation days = 14.6

| year precipitation days = 153.9

| Jan sun = 47.5

| Feb sun = 77.0

| Mar sun = 114.0

| Apr sun = 159.8

| May sun = 217.1

| Jun sun = 195.2

| Jul sun = 191.6

| Aug sun = 179.8

| Sep sun = 136.1

| Oct sun = 98.7

| Nov sun = 61.2

| Dec sun = 41.6

| year sun = 1519.6

| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref name="Met Averages">{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/aspatria.html |title= Aspatria 1981–2010 averages |access-date=15 April 2019 |publisher=Met Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031163722/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19812010/sites/aspatria.html |archive-date=31 October 2012}}</ref>

}}

==Governance==

[[File:Cockermouth Town Hall (geograph 4241663).jpg|thumb|[[Cockermouth Town Hall]]]]

There are two tiers of local government covering Cockermouth, at [[civil parish|parish]] (town) and [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] level: Cockermouth Town Council and [[Cumberland Council]]. The town council is based at [[Cockermouth Town Hall]] on Market Street.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cockermouth Town Council |url=https://cockermouth.org/ |access-date=15 April 2025}}</ref>

The town has been part of the [[Penrith and Solway (UK Parliament constituency)|Penrith & Solway]] constituency since 2024 and has been represented by [[Markus Campbell-Savours]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] since the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].

===Administrative history===

Cockermouth was historically a [[Township (England)|township]] in the [[ancient parish]] of [[Brigham, Cumbria|Brigham]], in the [[Historic counties of England|historic county]] of [[Cumberland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cockermouth Chapelry / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10218962 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=15 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Whellan |first1=William |title=The History and Topography of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmorland |date=1860 |page=295 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_History_and_Topography_of_the_Counti/ZkJCAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA295&printsec=frontcover |access-date=13 April 2025}}</ref> From the 13th century, the town was described as a [[ancient borough|borough]]. It was a [[seigneurial borough]], remaining under the control of the [[lord of the manor]] rather than developing its own municipal independence. It was also a [[parliamentary borough]] (constituency), returning MPs in 1295 and again from 1640 until 1885, when it was reformed into a wider [[Cockermouth (UK Parliament constituency)|county constituency of Cockermouth]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bradbury |first1=Bernard |title=History of Cockermouth |date=1995 |publisher=Cockermouth and District Civic Trust |isbn=0 9529812 0 3 |pages=64, 108 |url=https://cockermouthhistory.uk/wp-content/uploads/Bradbury-History-of-Cockermouth-all-pages-The-Book-as-pdf-sm.pdf |access-date=15 April 2025}}</ref>

The township of Cockermouth took on civil functions under the [[poor laws]] from the 17th century onwards. As such, the township also became a [[civil parish]] in 1866, when the legal definition of 'parish' was changed to be the areas used for administering the poor laws.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II, Northern England |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |___location=London |isbn=0861931270 |page=xv}}</ref> In ecclesiastical terms, Cockermouth's church of All Saints (which was rebuilt in 1852–1854 after a fire destroyed the previous building)<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Church of All Saints|num=1144744|grade=II*}}</ref> was a [[chapel of ease]] to [[St Bridget's Church, Brigham|St Bridget's Church]] at Brigham until 1806, when Cockermouth became a separate [[ecclesiastical parish]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |___location=London |isbn=0 86193 127 0 |page=50}}</ref>

In 1864, the township of Cockermouth was made a [[Local Government Act 1858|local government district]], administered by an elected local board.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22800|page=6699|date=25 December 1863}}</ref> Such districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]].<ref name=Kelly's>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Cumberland |date=1906 |page=118 |url=https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/46054/rec/2 |access-date=15 April 2025}}</ref> The urban district council later acquired a former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (built 1841)<ref name=Kelly's/> on Market Street and converted it into the Town Hall in 1934.<ref name=NHLEtownhall/>

Cockermouth Urban District was abolished in 1974.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cockermouth Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10055404 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=15 April 2025}}</ref> The area became part of the borough of [[Allerdale]] in the new county of Cumbria.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] of Cockermouth was created covering the former urban district, with its parish council taking the name Cockermouth Town Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|year=1973|number=1110}}</ref> Allerdale was abolished in 2023 when the new Cumberland Council was created, also taking over the functions of the abolished Cumbria County Council in the area.<ref name=2022order>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022|year=2022|number=331|access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref>

==Present==

[[File:The Bitter End, Kirkgate, Cockermouth - geograph.org.uk - 556800.jpg|thumb|left|The Bitter End, Kirkgate]]

The centre of Cockermouth retains much of its historic character and the renovation of Market Place has been completed, now with an artistic and community focus. The Kirkgate Centre is the town's major cultural focus and offers regular historical displays by the Cockermouth Heritage Group<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cockermouthheritagegroup.org.uk/ |title=Cockermouth Heritage Group |website=Cockermouthheritagegroup.org.uk}}</ref> in addition to holding major cultural events including theatre, international music and world cinema. The tree-lined main street boasts a statue of [[Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo|Lord Mayo]], formerly an MP for Cockermouth, who became British Viceroy of India and whose subsequent claim to fame was that he was assassinated.

The renovated arts and cultural zone in the 13th-century Market Place has undergone something of a regeneration following [[European Union]] funding; it is now pedestrian-friendly adorned with stone paving and roadways, underground lighting and seating in bright colours to reflect the area's facades.{{cn|date=August 2024}} Pavement art and stonework commemorate eclectic historical events, John Dalton's atomic theory, local dialect, flooding and a curious range other memorabilia.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

A [[shared-use path]] runs along the former [[Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway]] route and spans a high bridge over the Cocker, affording views of the town and river-scape.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

==Landmarks==

[[File:Castlegate, Cockermouth - geograph.org.uk - 86439.jpg|thumb|Castlegate]]

[[File:All Saints Church, Cockermouth - geograph.org.uk - 474536.jpg|thumb|All Saints' Church]]

[[Cockermouth Castle]] is a sizeable but partly ruined [[Norman architecture|Norman]] [[castle]], formerly the home of the late Pamela, [[John Edward Reginald Wyndham, 1st Baron Egremont|The Dowager Lady Egremont]]. Built at the confluence of the Rivers Cocker and Derwent, the castle has a tilting tower which hangs Pisa-like over [[Jennings Brewery]] buildings. The castle, with its preserved dungeons, is only opened to the public once a year during the annual town festival.

[[Wordsworth House]], the birthplace of [[William Wordsworth]] and [[Dorothy Wordsworth]], has been restored following extensive damage during the November 2009 floods; it features a working 18th-century kitchen and children's bedroom with toys and clothes of the times. Harris Park offers riverside walks and views down over the historic town.

[[Jennings Brewery]] offered regular public tours and occasional carriage rides pulled by a shire horse. However, the brewery was closed in October 2022, with the buildings valued at £750,000 put up for sale.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/whats-on-news/historic-jennings-brewery-cockermouth-up-25347969 |title=Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth up for sale as it closes its doors for good |first=Melissa |last=Major |date=25 October 2022 |website=Lancs.live |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref>

[[Cockermouth Town Hall]] is a former chapel which was converted for municipal use in 1934.<ref name=NHLEtownhall>{{NHLE |desc=town Hall |num= 1055821 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref>

Culturally, the Kirkgate Centre offers international music, heritage, theatre and world cinema (including critically acclaimed and art-house movies on Monday evenings) and the town has an annual festival of concerts and performances each summer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thekirkgate.com/|title=Kirkgate Centre|publisher=Kirkgate Centre |access-date=20 November 2009}}</ref> Cockermouth has an annual Easter Fair, fireworks display and carnival. In April 2005, it hosted its first Georgian Fair, which was repeated in 2006, again in May 2008 and 2010, with the next fair on 2 May 2015. At Christmas, the town presents festive lighting throughout its main and subsidiary streets, accompanied by competing shop displays.

The main cemetery on the Lorton Road is something of a walkers' garden, featuring streams, humped stone bridges and views of the nearby fells.

The adjoining village of [[Papcastle]] is also picturesque in its own right and stands on the site of the Roman fort of [[Derventio (Papcastle)]], lined with grand 18th- and 19th-century houses.

Located {{convert|2+1/2|mi|km|0}} north-west of the town lies [[Dovenby Hall]] Estate, a {{convert|115|acre|ha|adj=on}} park and woodland estate. Dovenby Hall is the home of the [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[Rallying|Rally]] team. The estate was bought in January 1998 by [[Malcolm Wilson (Rally)|Malcolm Wilson]] for his ''[[M-Sport]]'' motorsport team and was selected in 1996 by Ford Motorsport to build, prepare and run a fleet of cars for entry into the [[World Rally Championship]].

==Demography==

The population in the 1841 census was 4,940 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite book |title=The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge |date=1848 |publisher=Charles Knight |___location=London |page=Vol V, p.151 |edition=First}}</ref> At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], the parish had a population of 8,847,<ref name=2021census/> and the built up area as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] had a population of 8,860.<ref name=2021bua/> The population had been 8,761 at the [[United Kingdom 2011 Census|2011 census]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11122142&c=CA13+9HG&d=16&e=62&g=6410909&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1434462557484&enc=1 |title=Town population 2011 |website=Neightbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |access-date=16 June 2015}}</ref>

==Economy and services==

[[File:Auction House, Cockermouth - geograph.org.uk - 86425.jpg|thumb|[[Robinson Mitchell|Mitchells]] auction house]]

Built as a market town, close to a fast-flowing river in a farming area with a tradition of [[cloth]] weaving, Cockermouth became a hub for [[Spinning (textiles)|spinning]] and [[weaving]]. The town had a fulling mill by 1156 and by the mid-19th century there were over forty industrial sites; mills (wool, linen, cotton), hat factories, tanneries and smaller concerns making chairs, churns, mangle rollers, nails and farm machinery.<ref name="CockHist"/><ref name="Bradbury"/>

With the need for steam power, industrialisation declined, but the coming of the railway and the Victorian holiday, together with the power of Wordsworth's publications, meant that Cockermouth became an early inland tourist centre. The local economy is still reliant today on farming and tourism, with light industrial facilities servicing local needs. Industrialisation and hence work has moved to the west coast around Carlisle and Workington, and includes servicing the [[Nuclear power|nuclear]] facilities at [[Sellafield]].<ref name="CockHist"/>

Road haulier Lawsons Haulage Limited is a major employer in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.in-cumbria.com/news/17249694.haulage-firm-picks-up-heavies/ |title=Haulage firm picks up Heavies |website=In-cumbria.com|date=6 April 2017 }}</ref>

==Education==

Cockermouth has two [[primary schools]]:

* Fairfield Primary School

* All Saints Church of England Primary School

[[Cockermouth School]] is a [[Comprehensive school|comprehensive]] [[secondary school]], with around 1,400 pupils including 310 [[sixth form]]ers. It won the north of England regional championship in the ''Kids' Lit Quiz 2009'', coming first with 92 points.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://kidslitquiz.blogspot.com/2009/11/ne-england.html |title=Kids' Lit Quiz: NE ENGLAND |first=Kids' Lit |last=Quiz |date=2 November 2009}}</ref>

In 2023, Whitehaven's Mayfield School opened its sixth form campus to children with special educational needs and disabilities. The site was previously St Joseph's Primary School, which was closed in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancs.live/news/cumbria-news/school-cockermouth-turned-new-sixth-27766730|title= LancsLive| date=22 April 2022}}</ref>

==Transport==

=== Road ===

The nearest [[motorway]] is the [[M6 motorway|M6]] at junction 40 in [[Penrith, Cumbria|Penrith]], which is {{convert|30|mi|km}} away via the [[A66 road|A66]].

=== Railway ===

The nearest railway stations are at:

* {{rws|Maryport}}, for [[Northern Trains]]' services between {{rws|Barrow-in-Furness}} and {{rws|Carlisle}} on the [[Cumbrian Coast Line]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables and engineering information for travel with Northern |work=Northern Railway |date=15 December 2024 |access-date=15 January 2025 |url= https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables}}</ref>

* {{rws|Penrith}} and Carlisle, for [[Avanti West Coast]] [[inter-city rail|inter-city]] services on the [[West Coast Main Line]] between {{rws|Glasgow Central}} and {{rws|London Euston}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our latest timetables and ticket info |work=Avanti West Coast |date=15 December 2024 |access-date=15 January 2025 |url= https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables}}</ref>

The [[Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway]] once served the town. The original [[Cockermouth (C&W) railway station|Cockermouth & Workington Railway station]] was replaced on a new alignment when the [[Cockermouth railway station]] opened to passenger traffic on 2 January 1865. The station was immortalised in 1964 in the song "[[Slow Train (Flanders and Swann song)|Slow Train]]" by [[Flanders and Swann]]. The station closed on 18 April 1966 and has been completely removed. The site is now occupied by Cockermouth Mountain Rescue<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cockermouthmrt.org.uk/ |title=Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team |website=Cockermouthmrt.org.uk}}</ref> and the town's fire station, operated by [[Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service]]. The old trackbed is now a [[shared-use path]].

=== Buses ===

Bus services in Cockermouth are operated primarily by [[Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire|Stagecoach Cumbria]]; key routes include the X4 and X5 to [[Workington]] and [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]], and the 600 to Carlisle. Other routes are operated by Ellenvale Coaches, including the 68 to [[Maryport]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/cockermouth |title=Cockermouth bus services |website=Bustimes.org |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref>

===Cycling===

Two cycle routes pass through the town: the [[Sea to Sea Cycle Route]] from Workington to Tyneside, and the Reivers Cycle Route.

==Sport and leisure==

Cockermouth has a sports centre with swimming pool, two gyms and two parks with riverside walks.

[[Cockermouth Cricket Club]] is one of the town's most successful and best supported sports teams. They play their home games at the Sandair Ground, located just off Gote Road. The First XI play in the [[North Lancashire and Cumbria League]] Premier Division, Second XI in the third tier of the same league. The club's Third XI play in the Cumbria Cricket League. The thriving junior section of the club runs from under 11s to 15s.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Cockermouth School has an astroturf pitch used for community football, including the local six-a-side league.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astro-soccer-sixes.co.uk/ |title=Cumbria's premier 6-a-side leagues |website=Astro Soccer Sixes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041015094525/http://www.astro-soccer-sixes.co.uk/ |access-date=15 Jan 2025|archive-date=15 October 2004 }}</ref>

Cockermouth Rugby Football Club is based at the former Cockermouth Grammar School site; in 1987, it played the first ever rugby union league match{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} when they played Kirkby Lonsdale when national and regional leagues were formed, the precursors of what have now become the national and premier leagues.

The town has a youth [[Association football|football]] club, Cockermouth F.C. In the 2007–2008 season, the Under 12 team were County Cup Champions. Cockermouth beat Allerdale Leisure, from [[Workington]], 1–0 in the final.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

==Notable residents==

[[File:DSC 6068-lord-naas-earl-mayo.JPG|right|thumb|140px|Statue of Lord Mayo]]

[[File:John Dalton by Charles Turner.jpg|thumb|140px|John Dalton, 1834]]

* [[Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo|Richard Bourke]], as Lord Mayo, was the MP for Cockermouth (1857–68) and Viceroy of India (1869-72)

* [[Dorothy Bradford (artist)|Dorothy Bradford]] (1918–2008), painter and printmaker

* [[Fletcher Christian]] (1764–c.1793), leader of the [[mutiny on the Bounty]]<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Pitcairn | volume= 21 | page = 659; see para 2, line 5|quote= Meanwhile in 1790 a party consisting of Fletcher Christian, the leader of the mutiny, eight Englishmen, six Polynesian men and twelve Polynesian women had taken possession of Pitcairn Island and burned the "Bounty." |short=1 }}</ref>

* [[John Dalton]] (1766–1844), chemist, physicist and meteorologist; introduced the atomic theory into chemistry<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Dalton, John |volume= 7 |pages = 777&ndash;779 |short=1 }}</ref>

* [[Fearon Fallows]] (1788–1831), English astronomer & [[Astronomer Royal]]

* [[Luke Greenbank]], swimmer<ref>{{cite news |last1=Colman|first1=Jon |title=Cockermouth swimmer Luke Greenbank wins bronze medal for Team GB in men's 200m backstroke at Tokyo Olympics |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19479540.cockermouth-swimmer-luke-greenbank-wins-bronze-medal-team-gb-mens-200m-backstroke-tokyo-olympics/ |work=News & Star |date=7 July 2021}}</ref>

* [[Robert Milham Hartley]] (1796–1881), US emigrant & agent of the [[Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor]]

* [[Robinson Mitchell]] (1821–1888), pioneer auctioneer

* [[Ben Stokes]] (born 1991), cricketer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/17769926.stokes-stars-england-win-world-cup/|title=Stokes stars as England win World Cup|website=Times and Star|date=14 July 2019 }}</ref>

* [[Jeff Thorpe]] (born 1972), retired footballer

* [[James Trafford]] (born 2002), footballer

* [[Gareth White]] (born 1979), cricketer

* [[Joseph Williamson (English politician)|Joseph Williamson]] (1633 – 1701), civil servant, diplomat and politician<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Williamson, Sir Joseph |volume=28 |page=684 |short=1}}</ref>

* [[Matthew Wilson (rally driver)|Matthew Wilson]] (born 1987), rally driver.

* [[Dorothy Wordsworth]] (1771–1855) poet<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Wordsworth, Dorothy |volume= 28 |last=Gosse |first=Edmund William |author-link=Edmund William Gosse| pages=825&ndash;826 |short=1}}</ref>

* [[William Wordsworth]] (1770–1850) poet<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Wordsworth, William |volume=28 |last1=Minto |first1=William |author1-link=William Minto |last2=Chisholm |first2=Hugh |author2-link=Hugh Chisholm |pages=826&ndash;831 |short=1}}</ref>

==Twin town==

Cockermouth is [[sister city|twinned]] with [[Marvejols]], France.

==See also==

{{portal|Cumbria}}

* [[Listed buildings in Cockermouth]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Cockermouth}}

{{Wikivoyage|Cockermouth}}

* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Cockermouth | volume= 6 | page = 625 |short=1 }}

*[http://www.cockermouth.org/ Cockermouth Town Council]

*[http://www.cockermouth.org.uk/ Town information ]

{{Cumbria}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cockermouth| ]]

[[Category:Towns in Cumbria]]

[[Category:Civil parishes in Cumbria]]

[[Category:Cumberland (unitary authority)]]