Cockermouth 

Following the floods of November 2009, Cockermouth has emerged revitalised and restored with its historic character intact. This attractive town at the confluence of the River Cocker and the River Derwent received its Market Charter in 1221, and has retained its importance as a market town ever since. 

Cockermouth has a broad selection of small speciality shops, bakeries, family butchers, restaurants and cosy cafes. Aldi, Sainsburys and Co-op each have stores in town. Jennings Brewery offers tours explaining the brewing process behind their award-winning ales, which are on tap in most of the towns pubs and bars. Real Ales brewed by micro-brewies belonging to the Bitter End pub and the Kirkstile Inn are also widely available. Next to the Bitter End on Kirkgate stands The Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth's centre for theatre, film, arts and music. 

Cockermouth Castle dates from the 12th century and was built as a defence against Scots incursions. It is believed to have been built with stone sourced locally from the Roman fort of Deventio at nearby Papcastle. Much of its structure was destroyed by the famous Scottish king, Robert the Bruce in 1315 and it was besieged again in 1648, during the Civil War, when it held out for Parliament against King Charles I. Though privately owned, the castle opens its doors for public tours during the Cockermouth Festival in July.

William Wordsworth the writer and bard lived in the town for a time. The large Georgian house in the Main Street, where he and his sister Dorothy were born, is now in the care of the National Trust. Another famous son of Cockermouth was Fletcher Christian, the man who led the mutiny on 'The Bounty'. He was born about a mile from the town at Eaglesfield in 1764, and attended the same school as Wordsworth. John Dalton, born in 1766 also at Eaglesfield, was the originator of atomic theory.

A fascinating walk through the town's history has been set up by the Cockermouth and District Civic Trust. Small cast-iron numbered plaques, created by the children of Cockermouth School, guide you as you take the Town Trail. A leaflet describing the Town Trail is available from the tourist information centre. Also worth a mention is Cockermouth's biennial Georgian Fair held every other year in May.