Local Area

The origins of the name Armathwaite are uncertain. Thwaite is a common placename suffix, from Old Norse or Old Danish, meaning clearing or meadow. Some interpretations relate 'arma' to the Middle English 'ermite' for hermit, suggesting the area may once have been inhabited by a local hermit, whilst others suggest it is related to the original granting of land in the area to Ralf and Alice Hermetson in the late twelfth century.

Armathwaite Primary School serves the local area, and Armathwaite train station connects the village with a short journey to Carlisle or a longer tour to Settle, Yorkshire, with regular steam trains running in the summer months. There is a local shop and Post Office in the village, as well as two public houses. The beautifully restored grade II listed Church of Christ and St Mary's holds regular services. Neighbouring the church is the village hall, housed in the Old School Hall and run by local volunteers, hosting local meetings and events.

The Parish Council also owns and maintains a play area in the village.

For more information on events and activities in the village please visit the village website at armathwaite.org.uk.

Taking its name from the Old Norse words for cow ('calth') and meadow ('thwaite'), the village is still well renowned for its Jersey herd today.

The village supports both a local primary school and a nursery, with a public play area, built and maintained by the local community, to the rear of the school. Built in the 20th century, All Saint's Church also houses a Grade II listed War Memorial in its churchyard. There is a public house in the village as well as a youth football club, Calthwaite Junior FC.

Much of the land around the village is owned by the Brackenburgh estate, which was responsible for building of many of the houses in the village.  

The name Hesket derives from the Old Norse 'hestr' meaning horse, and 'skeid', whose meaning is a reference to either a road or race course.

High Hesket houses a local primary school, serving the villages of both High and Low Hesket, as well as Southwaite and the surrounding area. It is also home to the Grade II* listed St Mary the Virgin's Church, which dates in part to medieval times. The churchyard also house a Grade II listed War Memorial and a Grade II listed gothic vault, belonging to the Parker Family.

Situated just north of the village, along the A6, is the local doctors surgery. Court Thorn Surgery is named for the manorial Court Thorn, where feudal dues were traditionally paid to the lord of the manor.

Stagecoach operate a regular bus service through the village, between Carlisle and Penrith.

 

The village is named for the River Ive which runs through it, coupled with the Old Norse term 'gill', relating to water.

Only part of Ivegill village falls within Hesket Parish, the remainder being located in neighbouring Skelton Parish.

The village is home to the nineteenth century Christ Church, as well as a local primary school. There is also village hall run by Skelton Parish Council.

For more information, visit Skelton Parish website  at skeltonparish.co.uk.

 

Low Hesket lies directly on the A6 between Carlisle and Penrith. Like High Hesket, the name derives from the Old Norse 'hestr' for horse, and 'skeid' for racecourse or road.

Stagecoach operate a regular bus service through the village, between Carlisle and Penrith.

The Village houses a well-utilised village hall, hosting local meetings, clubs and events. The hall was built by villagers in the 1950's, and is still maintained by local residents today.

For more information, please visit the Hall's Facebook page here.

 

 

 

Taking its name from the humble plum, Plumpton Village is also known as Plumpton Wall. The A6, runs through the village along the route of a Roman Road, and just north at Castlesteads Farm, the remains of a Roman Fort, known as Voreda, can still be seen. The village houses a small primary school, which also serves as a play area. The Grade II listed St John the Evangelist Church is situated within the village. There is also a café and garden centre at the edge of the village, and just outside, towards Calthwaite, a restored Methodist Chapel, now known as the Cottage Wood Centre, serving as both a place of worship and a local community centre.

Stagecoach operate a regular bus service through the village, between Carlisle and Penrith.

'Thwaite' derives from the Old Norse for field or clearing, however rather than being geographically derived, 'South' appears to be a related to namesake.

Just north of the village, near the hamlet of Mellguards, lies the Grade II listed Katherine Well, built in memory of local woman Katherine Losh, sister of local philanthropist and architect Sarah Losh, much of whose work can be seen in the village of Wreay.

The village itself lends its name to the nearby Southwaite Services on the M6.  The West Coast Mainline runs through the village, although the train station closed in 1952.

The name 'Wreay' derives from the Old Norse for nook or corner. Records for the settlement date back to 1319, and the village is particualry notable for 'The Twelve Men of Wreay' -  a group of self-elected influential local men who once served as a parish council of sorts, and still exist today in a charitable capacity. It is also home to many buildings, including St Mary's Church, built and designed in the nineteenth century by local philanthropist and architect Sarah Losh.

The outskirts of the village fall within Hesket Parish, with the main part lying in neighbouring parish of St Cuthbert without.

For more information visit St Cuthbert without's website at stcuthbertwithout.org.uk.

 

Being a particularly large Parish geographically, Hesket Parish neighbours eight other local Parishes, as well as both the City of Carlisle and the Town of Penrith. Links for other local Councils can be found below;

 

 

City and Town Coucils

Carlisle City Council	carlisle.gov.uk
Penrith Town Council	penrithtowncouncil.co.uk

Parish Councils

Ainstable Parish Council	ainstable.org.uk
Catterlen Parish Council	catterlen.org.uk
Cumwhitton Parish Council	cumwhitton.com
Dalston Parish Council	dalston.org.uk
Lazonby Parish Council	lazonbyparishcouncil.org
Skelton Parish Council	skeltonparish.co.uk
St Cuthbert without Parish Council	stcuthbertwithout.org.uk
Wetheral Parish Council	wetheralparishcouncil.org

Grade II* Listed Building

Those buildings of particularly important special interest

Armathwaite Castle	Dating from the 15th century, remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. Privately owned.
Southwaite Hall, Copper House and barns adjoining	House with evidence of continual renovations dating back to the 16th century. Private residence.
Church of St Mary's, High Hesket	Dating from the 18th century, incorporating elements of medieval church. In the Diocese of Carlisle.