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  1. Wigton Market Cross
    Wigton Carlisle & Hadrian's Wall

You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of Cumbria > Wigton

Wigton

With tall Georgian houses lining its streets, a handsome 18th-century church and an attractive memorial fountain gracing the old marketplace, it’s clear that Wigton was once a busy town of some renown. It’s quieter today, but its jumble of streets, narrow lanes and alleyways that earned it the nickname ‘the Throstle’s Nest’ is well worth exploring – as is the surrounding countryside, a gorgeous combination of coastal and fell landscape.
 
Some well-known literary figures have passed through here, notably Charles Dickens who visited in 1857, but the town is better known as being the birthplace of author and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, who is now Lord Bragg of Wigton (but we can still call him Melvyn).
 
Surrounding Wigton is a pastoral landscape of neat fields and hedges, dotted with the rural villages of Great Orton, Wiggonby, Aikton, Oulton, Waverton, Bolton Low Houses, Rosley and Thursby.

Culture & Heritage

In the 7th century, Anglian settlers were spreading across the Solway Plain. The name Wigton is derived from ‘Wicga’s tun’ or the settlement of Wicga (in all likelihood an Anglo-Saxon chieftain). The Normans established a Barony of Wigton and created one of the largest hunting reserves in England – Inglewood Forest – which stretched from the edge of Wigton to Penrith. Wigton’s position in the centre of the Solway Plain together with the commercial influence of Holm Cultram Abbey fostered a thriving trade in commerce. In 1262, the town was granted the right to hold a weekly market and annual fair. Fish, vegetables, butter and poultry were sold in the Market Place, livestock at Market Hill, meat from the shambles beside the Market Cross and grain from outside St Mary’s Church.
 
Look out for the letters ‘O’, ‘B’ and ‘W’ marked out in white cobblestones – they indicate where oats, barley and wheat could be sold. Wigton still honours its ancient charter by hosting weekly indoor and outdoor markets.
 
Wigton’s early industries included cotton and linen manufacture, dyeing, printing and tanning. The cloth manufacturers employed hundreds of hand-loom weavers who carried out their trade in small weavers’ cottages mainly located to the east of the town centre. The area known as Tenters is named after the tenterhooks on which the finished cloth was stretched to be bleached by the sun. Wigton’s two becks supplied enough water and power to operate three corn mills, two breweries, a dye works, tannery and saw mill.
 
Industrial prosperity was accompanied by the building of several grand houses, the most famous of which was Highmoor House, built in 1810 by Joseph Hodge, a cotton and linen manufacturer. On his death the house passed to his business partner, William Banks, who enlarged the house and landscaped its grounds. In the 1870s, a huge tower was added in the style of an Italian campanile. It was fitted with a large bell (called ‘Big Joe’ with a range of 12 miles) and a carillon of smaller bells that played from a repertoire of ’36 tunes every three hours … and sacred music on Sundays.’ The lilting tunes could be heard for miles, even as far as Carlisle. Sadly, the tower is now silent and surrounded by a large housing estate.

Surrounding Areas

Caldbeck - Caldbeck is one of the most beautiful and peaceful of all the Lakeland villages and is ideally situated for exploring the Lake District, the Scottish Borders, the Eden Valley and the North Pennines. The village and the surrounding area have so much to offer everyone. Many of the village buildings were built in the 17th Century and are now housing new enterprises catering for visitors and locals alike. Superb walking exists within easy reach of the village catering for all levels. This together with excellent places to stay including Bed & Breakfast (B&B) and Holiday Cottage accommodation, and with numerous places to eat and drink, this really is a great place to spend some time.

Allonby & Aspatria - The ancient township of Aspatria (pronounced ‘Spi-atry' by locals) is now described as ‘milk town’. It has one of the most modern creameries in England on its doorstep, with several local outlaying farms supplying milk on a daily basis. A few miles west it the former fishing village Allonby. Allonby enjoys some beautiful far-reaching views over to Scotland and the Isle of Man. Its sand and shingle beach follows the edge of a wide crescent-shaped bay that is ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing. Behind the dunes and the ‘greens' is an assortment of grand Georgian architecture and humble fishermen's cottages, linked by narrow cobbled lanes and passageways.

Did you know?

  1. Example Page
    Church of All Saints
    Described as ‘one of the architectural sensations of Cumberland’ by Nikolaus Pevsner, this unusual building has a stone vaulted roof more akin to churches found in southern France.
  2. Example Page
    Memorial Fountain
    In the middle of Market Place is Wigton’s famous pink fountain. It was erected in 1872 in memory of Eliza Moore, wife of George Moore, a local merchant and philanthropist.
  3. Example Page
    Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue
    The centre specialises in rehabilitating injured wild animals and birds before their release back to the wild.
  4. Example Page
    Melvyn Bragg
    The well-known writer and broadcaster was born in Wigton and spent most of his childhood at the Black-a-Moor pub, which his parents ran as publicans.
  5. Example Page
    Sir Thomas Bouch
    The Ship Inn at Thursby was the birthplace of Sir Thomas Bouch (1822–1880) who designed many famous structures.
  6. Example Page
    Spain Wood
    Spain Wood is so named because its shape was thought to resemble the map of Spain. During the Second World War it was an aircraft storage depot.

 Hadrian's Wall  the northern frontier of the Roman Empire

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Number of results: 11

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  1. Cycle the Solway
    Cycle the Solway

    Address

    Nr Wiggonby, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 6NL

    Telephone

    01228 712539

    marketing@watchtree.co.uk

    Carlisle

    The Solway plain offers some of the best cycling in the UK; quiet country lanes where hills are rare feature incredible views of the Lakeland fells to the South, the Scottish coastline to the North and West and the Pennines to the East.
    At Watchtree…

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  2. Easter International Market
    Easter International Market

    Address

    Cumbria, Carlisle, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 7RE

    Telephone

    01228 598596

    info@discovercarlisle.co.uk

    Carlisle

    A popular international market is set to return to Carlisle city centre this Easter.

    Organised by Market Place Europe, the award-winning International Market is supported by Carlisle City Council.

    Shoppers will be spoilt for choice with a huge mix…

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  3. St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands
    St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands
    St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands

    Address

    Burgh-by-Sands, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA5 6AW

    info@eastsolwaychurches.org.uk

    CARLISLE

    12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I (Longshanks) lay in state in the church for ten days in 1307.

    Burgh by Sands is a very interesting church with layers of history.From the 12th century and on…

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  4. Jack Lukeman
    Jack Lukeman

    Address

    Church Street, Wigton, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9AA

    Telephone

    01697344555

    sandra@nadtcommunity.com

    Wigton

    Jack Lukeman, the UK-based Kildare man with the multi-octave voice, is fresh from a series of sell-out performances (NCH, Cork Opera House) celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album Metropolis Blue alongside a run of shows with Jools…

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  5. Party in the Park
    Party in the Park

    Address

    Wigton Town Council, Community Offices, Market Hall, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9RG

    Telephone

    01697344106

    wigtontown.council@btconnect.com

    Market Hall, Wigton

    Platinum Jubilee Party in the Park. Come and join our free community event with games, fancy dress, food and drink, big screen showing concert, music through the decades and a fireworks finale!

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  6. Alder Lodge - The Tranquil Otter
    Alder Lodge - The Tranquil Otter
    Lodges at The Tranquil Otter
    Lodge bathrooms at The Tranquil Otter
    Alder Lodge at The Tranquil Otter
    The Tranquil Otter lakeside setting
    Al ffresco dining at The Tranquil Otter
    Tranquil scene at The Tranquil Otter
    Sauna at The Tranquil Otter
    Woodland walks at The Tranquil Otter
    Enjoy a drink in your own private hot tub at The Tranquil Otter
    Alder Lodge - The Tranquil Otter
    Lodges at The Tranquil Otter
    Lodge bathrooms at The Tranquil Otter
    Alder Lodge at The Tranquil Otter
    The Tranquil Otter lakeside setting
    Al ffresco dining at The Tranquil Otter
    Tranquil scene at The Tranquil Otter
    Sauna at The Tranquil Otter
    Woodland walks at The Tranquil Otter
    Enjoy a drink in your own private hot tub at The Tranquil Otter
    The Tranquil Otter

    Address

    The Lough, Thurstonfield, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 6HB

    Telephone

    01228 576661

    info@thetranquilotter.co.uk

    Carlisle

    Set in a beautiful private nature reserve around a stream fed lake teeming with wildlife; The Tranquil Otter is an ideal place for a relaxing break, for families and couples. We have eight 5* Luxury Lodges and one 5 bed oak framed house, each with…

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    Tripadvisor

    Tripadvisor Traveller Rating

    Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 643 reviews643 reviews
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  7. Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
    Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
    Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown

    Address

    The Glebe, Abbeytown, WIGTON, Cumbria, CA7 4SD

    WIGTON

    Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution of the Monasteries for this church, when the local people successfully petitioned Thomas Cromwell to allow them to continue to use the church.

    Add Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown to your Itinerary

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  8. Taste of Wigton
    Taste of Wigton

    Address

    Water Street Car Park, Water Street, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9AN

    Telephone

    01900 516766

    ellie.jones@allerdale.gov.uk

    Wigton

    The Taste of Wigton event, now in its second year, was created from our flagship event Taste Cumbria, is being held in Wigton on the 23rd April 2022. This will consist of food and non-food produce stalls, live music, fairground rides, picnic area,…

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  9. Carlisle Hawker Festival
    Carlisle Hawker Festival

    Address

    Cumbria, Carlisle, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 7RE

    Telephone

    01228 598596

    info@discovercarlisle.co.uk

    Carlisle

    Following the success of the inaugural event last year, the Carlisle Hawker Festival will return to the city centre this June.

    The Carlisle Hawker Festival will feature street food, seating areas and entertainment from local performers and…

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  10. Foxgloves Cottage
    Foxgloves Cottage
    Foxgloves Cottage

    Address

    Greenrigg Farm, Westward, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 8AH

    Telephone

    016973 42676

    kerr_greenrigg@hotmail.com

    Wigton

    A spacious, well-equipped comfortable cottage in a wonderful rural setting at Greenrigg Farm. The modernised stone property adjoining the farmhouse retains its welcoming, original character, including a farmhouse kitchen with Aga.

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  11. Car Park
    Car Park
    Wigton Market Hall Car Park (Water Street)

    Address

    Water Street, WIGTON, Cumbria, CA7 9AN

    WIGTON

    Car Park with 203 spaces. Open 7 days a week.

    Add Wigton Market Hall Car Park (Water Street) to your Itinerary

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