Gosforth, Cumberland

Gosforth
Cumberland
Gosforth Parish Church
Location
Grid reference:	NY0603
Location:	54°25’8"N, 3°26’3"W
Data
Population:	1,396  (2011)
Post town:	Seascale
Postcode:	CA20
Dialling code:	019467
Local Government
Council:	Cumberland
Parliamentary constituency:	Copeland

Gosforth is a village and parish in south-eastern Cumberland. It is situated on the A595 road between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness. It has a population of 1,230. Adjacent settlements include Whitehaven, Egremont, Ravenglass and Wasdale. It is close to Wastwater, the deepest lake in England, and just a 15-minute drive from Seascale village and beach. The Cumbrian Coast railway can be accessed at Seascale.

Viking heritage

Gosforth contains a unique collection of Norse artefacts in and around St Mary's Church. This includes the Gosforth cross, which is the tallest and oldest Viking cross in England. Another high cross was cut down in 1789 to make a sundial base, though the "fishing stone" panel from this survives in the church. There are also two large "hogback" tombs in the church.

Gosforth Hall

Work began on Gosforth Hall, now a hotel and restaurant near St Mary's Church, in 1658, by a local gentleman called Robert Copley. The date of completion is not clear, although the date on the coat of arms situated in the bar is 1673. Copley had previously refused to pay the royal herald for his own coat of arms and instead, made one up himself. In his history of The Gosforth District, Dr. C.A. Parker states that Robert Copley in 1658 built "a large handsome house with orchards and gardens suitable", and Parker states that henceforth the house was named Gosforth Hall. With the hall being within the precinct of the church, it was likely that evidence of earlier occupation might be discovered. In 2005, the present owners of Gosforth Hall commissioned a small archaeological excavation within the grounds. This turned up some interesting finds indicating previous occupation on the site. This preliminary work was to be followed up in 2007 with a further excavation.

Events

Gosforth is the base for two major athletic events each year, a ten-mile run and associated fun run in June, and a ten-kilometre race on the first Tuesday in September.

There is a thriving art scene in the village, and the Gosforth and District Arts Society (GADAS) holds weekly meetings as well as a very popular art exhibition every year, over the August bank holiday in the village hall.

Gallery

• 
  The Lion and the Lamb at the crossroads
• 
  Viking cross, Gosforth
• 
  The two hogsback tomb markers in the parish church.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Cumbria Gosforth, Cumberland)

• Gosforth official website