Newtown, Cumberland

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Newtown
Cumberland
Farmhouse ruins, Newtown, Mawbray - geograph.org.uk - 96581.jpg
Farmhouse ruins, Newtown
Location
Grid reference: NY098484
Location: 54°49’23"N, 3°24’11"W
Data
Post town: Wigton
Postcode: CA7
Dialling code: 016973
Local Government
Council: Cumberland
Parliamentary
constituency:
Workington

Newtown is a hamlet in the parish of Holme St Cuthbert in Cumberland, just inland from the Solway Firth. It is located approximately two miles north-east of the village of Mawbray, a little over half-a-mile as the crow flies to the south-east of Beckfoot, which stands on the coastline itself.

The B5300 coast road runs approximately three-quarters of a mile to the west of the hamlet, which goes to Maryport, nine-and-a-quarter miles to the south-west, and Silloth-on-Solway, approximately four miles to the north.

History and etymology

Newtown was first recorded in a 1538 survey of the Manor of Holm Cultram,[1] and in the past has been known as New Mawbray.[2] The name "Mawbray" comes from the Old English mæge-burh, meaning "the maidens' stronghold", or "maidens' castle",[3] and the "New" prefix was added to distinguish the settlement from its namesake. Additional variant spellings include New Mawbrough, Newton, Newtowne, and Newtowene.

The hamlet was created after the sea shifted sands near Beckfoot in the 16th century. This resulted in many residents having to leave their homes (or their homes being destroyed by the encroaching sea). Defence against Scottish incursions across the Solway was a concern of the Lord and Steward of Holm Cultram when planning the new settlement,[4] and residents of Newtown in this era would have been expected to take part in the "seawake", a night watch to guard the Solway coast against raids.

In 1828, a farmer named John Ostle was born at Newtown. His diaries recorded farming life on the Solway Plain in the 19th century, and have given local historians a great deal of information about Newtown and surrounding communities during that period.[5][6]

The hamlet today

The hamlet itself has no public transportation links or amenities. The earest primary school is at Holme St Cuthbert, a mile and a quarter to the south-east, as is the parish church. There is a pub, the Lowther, in Mawbray,[7] but perhaps the closest attraction to Newtown is a farm park and tea room called the Gincase.[8]

Newtown is close to the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which encompasses much of the shoreline to the west of the hamlet. Also along this section of the shoreline, Mawbray and Wolsty banks are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[9]

Outside links

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References