Blawith

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Blawith
Lancashire
White cottage at Blawith, Lancashire North of the Sands - geograph-4391539.jpg
A cottage at Blawith
Location
Grid reference: SD288883
Location: 54°17’9"N, 3°5’41"W
Data
Population: 265  (2011, with Torver)
Post town: Ulverston
Postcode: LA12
Dialling code: 01229
Local Government
Council: Westmorland & Furness
Parliamentary
constituency:
Westmorland and Lonsdale

Blawith (pronounced Blaath) is a small village in Lancashire, close to the southern end of Coniston Water amidst the Furness Fells. The village is within the Lake District National Park.

The village stands on the west side of the River Crake, a mile and a half south of the foot of Coniston Water. Blawith is bordered to the west and north by Blawith Common, a large area of rough grazing which is used by those who hold common rights. Parts of the common are designated as having of Special Scientific Interest.

In 1870–72 Blawith was described as:

a township-chapelry in Ulverston parish, Lancashire; on the river Crake. Real property, £1,082. Pop., 193. Houses, 39.[1]

History

St John the Baptist, Blawith

The village no longer has a parish church. A chapel of ease was built in the 16th century and was rebuilt in 1749, The ruins can still be seen and are surrounded by a small graveyard . A new church, St John the Baptist, was built across the road from the chapel in 1863, but this church was closed in 1988 and was sold to be converted into a dwelling in 2012.[2] In the Middle Ages Blawith, as with much of Furness, was dominated by monastic holdings, and the great monasteries, Furness Abbey and Cartmel Priory developed farming and mining in the fields and fells..

Tourism

Blawith is a quiet area, however it does have holiday parks and cottages, for example Crake Valley Holiday Park for people who are visiting the area. It is also in a location that is central to many attractions, being within five miles of Coniston Water, Grizedale Forest Park, the Aquarium of the Lakes at Lakeside, and Ulverston with its Laurel and Hardy Museum. A 'Go Ape' attraction is found four miles away and Bigland Hall Equestrian five miles away.[3]

Local pubs include The Red Lion.[4]

References

  1. Wilson, John Marius: Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (A. Fullerton & Co., 1870): On 'A Vision of Britain'
  2. Blawith St John's Church on Britain Express
  3. Family days out
  4. A guide to Blawith on 'Information Britain'