Introduction to Cockermouth

Watched over by the statue of Earl Mayo, the bustle of Cockermouth's town centre is echoed in the constant flow of the rivers Cocker and Derwent as they have been doing for a thousand years.

Its modest proportions tend to belie its colourful history, rich culture and infinite variety. There's some fabulous architecture, much of it older than America and much of it Georgian. Wordsworth was born here, as were Fletcher Christian, John Dalton and Fearon Fallows, all famous sons who have made their mark on the world.

But Cockermouth is a working town which can support itself, not just an eye-catching gem town set in Lakeland terrain. There are galleries and museums featuring classical and contemporary works.

There's a thriving shopping centre full of unusual specialist shops and an auction mart drawing business from as far a field as Scotland, not to mention an abundance of hotels, cafes, restaurants and pubs.

The town also boasts a 13th Century castle, still occupied by the Egremont family and a hugely successful brewery. Jennings beer has long been enjoyed in the County and is now getting a good press from those who know their beer throughout the Country.

So Cockermouth is a thriving, gathering momentum even. And those who discover it think of it as a bit of a revelation and wish they had planned to stay longer.

What does Cockermouth and the surrounding area have to offer?

Real Ale
Take a tour of the taste buds and learn a few home brew secrets, in the smallest brewery in the North West at the Bitter End Pub. Or discover Cockermouth's best kept secret at the 175 year old Jennings Castle Brewery and visitor's centre. Sample fine ale and take a tour.

Architecture and Arts
Take a look at the striking Wordsworth House, home of Poet Laureate, William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. From that stunning interior, see another at the Percy House Gallery with its ancient plaster ceiling or transform your own home with the sumptuous range of modern painting, sculpture, ceramics and glass at the Castlegate House Gallery. Or re-visit childhood years at The Cumberland Toy & Model Museum, where you can see over one hundred years of toys, with many visitor operated displays. Just down the road from Cockermouth in the sleepy town of Keswick you can find the Cumberland Pencil Museum, that displays over 150 years of pencil making history, and you will also find Cars of the Stars, the world famous motor museum featuring vehicles from TV & Film.

Fine Food
Cockermouth is host to many fine cafes, restaurants and bars, including the Quince and Medlar Fine Food Vegetarian Restaurant - a licensed and non-smoking restaurant, three times winner of the national "Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year" and four times runner up. Dine in comfort in the wood panelled candlelit dining room in friendly and intimate surroundings.
For more information see www.quinceandmedlar.co.uk.

In Cockermouth...

There are loads of great places to visit in Cockermouth, and whatever interests you have you will be sure to find something that interests you...

Western Lake District Visitor Centre
Lakeland Sheep & Wool Centre, Egremont Road, Cockermouth | Tel: 01900 825980 | Web: www.western-lakedistrict.co.uk | Open: Daily | Admission: Free
The Western Lake District Visitor Centre introduces you to the hidden delights of Cumbria's Western Lake District, and with exhibitions from top visitor attractions this centre is an ideal opportunity to plan your stay. There is Free Admission and it is situated within the Lakeland Sheep & Wool Centre. At the centre, discover a unique place - rich in lakes and mountains, heritage, coast and maritime history - then go out and explore them for real.

Wordsworth House
Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9RX | Tel & Fax: 01900 824805 | Web: www.wordsworthhouse.org.uk | Open: 22nd June to 6th November from Monday to Saturday, 11am - 4.30pm (last entry 4pm). Shop open all year from April. | Admission: Charged/free to National Trust members.
Birthplace and Childhood home of William & Dorothy Wordsworth, this Georgian Town House is imaginatively presented as the home of the Wordsworth family in the 1770's. There is Costumed living history with hands-on activities and a walled garden with Terraced Walk overlooking the River Derwent. There is also a National Trust gift shop.

Jennings Brewery Tours
The Castle Brewery, Cockermouth CA13 9NE | Tel: 0845 129 7190 | Web: www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk | Open: Daily - telephone for times and availability | Admission: Charged
Discover how Jennings beers are brewed using pure Lakeland water drawn from the brewery's own well, and sample the ales and browse the Jennings range in the Cooperage Bar & Shop.

The Cumberland Toy & Model Museum
Cockermouth | Tel: 01900 827606 | Web: www.toymuseum.co.uk
Over 100 years of toys with many visitor operated displays.

Percy House Gallery
Cockermouth | Tel: 01900 829667 | Web: www.percyhouse.co.uk
Contemporary art & design in Cockermouth's oldest house (1598).

Quince and Medlar Fine Food Vegetarian Restaurant
13, Castle Gate, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9EU | Tel: 01900 823579 | Web: www.quinceandmedlar.co.uk | Bookings: By telephone
A licensed and non-smoking restaurant, three times winner of the national "Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year" and four times runner up. Dine in comfort in the wood panelled candlelit dining room in friendly and intimate surroundings.

In the Cockermouth area...

There are also lots of exciting attractions and places to visit outside of Cockermouth but not too far away to travel for the day...

The Lake District Coast Aquarium
Maryport | Tel: 01900 817760 | Web: www.lakedistrict-coastaquarium.co.uk | Open: Daily (except Christmas and boxing days) 10am - 5pm | Admission: Charged
New for 2004 is mini golf now available at The Lake District Coast Aquarium, which also features 2000 fish, 200 species, 40 displays and a wide variety of home cooked food from cakes to full meals. There is also a gift shop, an extensive adventure playground, and radio controlled model boat pool and water games. Entrance tickets are valid for all day.

Cumberland Pencil Museum
Keswick | Tel: 017687 73626 | Web: www.pencils.co.uk | Open: Daily 9.30am - 4pm | Admission: Charged
This museum guides you through 150 years of pencil making history, including the pencil story from the discovery of graphite. See present day methods of pencil manufacture told with exhibitions, extensive fine art and graphite pencils which are the choice of artists worldwide, and there is also a children's drawing area, gift shop, and video shows of pencil making.

Cars of the Stars
Standish Street, Keswick, Cumbria | Tel: 017687 73757 | Web: www.carsofthestars.com | Open: 10am - 5pm 7 days a week (February half term), then from the week before Easter until the end of November | Admission: Charged
A world famous motor museum that features vehicles from TV & Film, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, FAB 1, Flinstones, Harry Potter's Ford Anglia, Dukes of Hazard and many more. There is also a souvenir and autograph shop.

Trotters World of Animals
Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick | Tel: 017687 76239 | Web: www.trottersworld.com | Open: Daily 10am - 5.30pm, November to end February 11am - 4.30pm | Admission: Charged
North of England's largest breeding troop of Mandrill, UK's only Canadian Lynx, Asian Fishing Cats and many more...award winning Wildlife & Bird of Prey Centre, exotic animals, birds, reptiles & bunnies, indoor "clown about" playcentre, tea room, gift shop and picnic areas and 1/2 hourly demonstrations.