Cockermouth

Cockermouth, a town of Cumberland, 25 miles SW. of Carlisle, and 12 NW. of Keswick. It is pleasantly situated in an agricultural district, and has a walk a mile long beside the Derwent. A ruined castle, founded towards the close of the 11th century, crowns a bold height on the left bank of the Cocker, near its influx to the Derwent. It became Mary Stuart's prison in 1568, and in 1648 was dismantled by the parliamentarians. Near Cockermouth is a tumulus, Toot's Hill; and at Pap Castle are remains of a Roman camp. Wordsworth was born here in an old-fashioned house, still standing. Population, 5464. Till 1867 Cockermouth returned two members to parliament; till 1885 (when it was incorporated in the county), one.