A booklet on the Town Trail is available (small fee) at Tourist Information. There are numbered plaques erected by the Civic Trust the whole length of the walk. There is also a Trail Map Display board at the start of the walk (published co-ordinates).
Lying just outside the boundary of the Lake District National Park, Cockermouth is an attractive market town not overwhelmed by the tourist atmosphere of Keswick and Ambleside. Cockermouth grew up at the junction of the two most important rivers in the area. Here the River Cocker, flowing out of the lakes Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater meets the River Derwent on its journey from lakes Derwent and Bassenthwaite to the sea at Workington.
The Romans built the fort of Deventio at Papcastle, about a mile from the present town, at a meeting place of roads from Maryport, Carlisle and Penrith. Cockermouth Castle was built in the 13th century, but little of that remains because of the efforts of Robert the Bruce. The majority of today's ruins date from 1360 to 1370, though there have been some modern additions. The castle is privately owned, and not normally open to the public. Tours are often available during the Cockermouth Festival in July.
Today's visitors are attracted by the town's calm, its nearness to some of the more peaceful lakes and mountains, and the fact that Dorothy and William Wordsworth were born here. The large Georgian house in the Main Street where they were born, is now in the care of the National Trust.
Another famous son of Cockermouth was Fletcher Christian, the man who led the mutiny on 'The Bounty'. He was born about a mile from the town at Eaglesfield in 1764, and attended the same school as Wordsworth.
John Dalton, born also at Eaglesfield, was one of the most brilliant scientists of his age, and was the originator of the atomic theory. The town received its Market Charter in 1221, and has retained its importance as a market town ever since.
Quarrying and mining for lead and iron were later developments outside the town, and a brewery has been built at the foot of the castle mound, where the two rivers meet. This, plus more detailed information is available on the Cockermouth.org.uk web site. The published co-ordinates will take you to the entrance of All Saints car park. You will also be able to see the first clue from this point, although you may have to get a bit nearer to read it! This is a Pay and Display car park. There is also free 1hr disc street parking within Cockermouth. This should give you ample time for the walk, but perhaps not enough time for refreshments as well.
The final cache is hidden at N54 39.ABC, W003 21.DEF
1st Location N54 39.820, W003 21.572 Kirkgate Centre
The building began as a school in 1868. It is now an Arts and Entertainment Centre. The “Bitter Beck” runs alongside (“bitter” from the tannery effluents and not “Bitter End” which is the pub, along with a micro brewery, around the corner). Dowager Lady Egremont reopened the former school for community use in which year? Take the sum of the first and last digit of the year to get A.
Walk SE to the back of the car park and onto a footpath. After a short distance take the path doubling back to the W at a slightly higher level. This is Rope Walk where rope makers used to pace out lengths of their manufactured rope. Continue along the top of the bank along Rope Walk to take you out at Kirkgate. The cobbled square dates back to the early 1700s. Walk up Kirkgate past All Saints Church. Take the first turning on the right and then turn immediately right again along the footpath leading to The Old Grammar School.
2nd Location N54 39.770 W003 21.569 Old Grammar School
The walkway takes you between the site of the old Grammar School and All Saints Church and its graveyard. Both William Wordsworth and Fletcher Christian were educated here. In what year did Fletcher Christian lead the mutiny aboard the ship Bounty against Captain William Bligh? Take the sum of the first and last digit of the year and subtract 4 to get B. (Note if you do an online search for the year, you may not get the same answer).
Continue downhill on the path which will take you to Market Place at the bottom. Turn left onto Main Street and walk W over the River Cocker. Notice Court House across the road. It replaced the former Moot Hall in 1829 and is now an antiques centre. As you pass the renovated Black Bull notice the flood level in November 2009 on the plaque outside the building.
3rd Location N54 39.825 W003 21.806 Globe Hotel
Now a famous poet and novelist stayed at this coaching inn in the 19th C. Also the discoverer of the atomic theory (a local lad) used to be a regular. Add the 1st and 3rd digit of John Dalton’s year of birth and subtract the 2nd digit of that same year to get C.
Continue your stroll W along Main Street, perhaps taking an excursion or two down the side streets.
4th Location N54 39.812 W003 22.081 Wordsworth House
This is the birthplace home of Cockermouth’s most famous son, William Wordsworth along with his sister, Dorothy. A 1745 Georgian house, built by the county sheriff, it is now owned by the National Trust and well worth a visit. In what year was William born? Take the third digit of the year and add 2 to get D.
The Town Trail turns right down the lane by the side of Wordsworth House and takes you down to the river bank. Turn right along the river Derwent, under the foot bridge, past Graves Mills (an old woollen mill now converted to a block of flats) and into Waterloo Street. Alternatively you could turn around and go back E along Main Street. Turn left at High Sand Lane (opposite Station Street) and this will take you to the end of Waterloo at Brewery Bridge at the confluence of the Rivers Derwent and Cocker (hence Cockermouth). If you have chosen the latter route, a slight detour down Waterloo Street is very worthwhile. It was previously a mill area, but now substantially restored into a residential area. Have a look at Wharton’s Mill (linen) and also note “Beehive House”. Cross the bridge and walk through the Jennings Brewery.
5th Location N54 39.891 W003 21.774 Jennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery has been here for 150 years having re-located from along the road in Lorton. There is a shop and guided tours are available. In what year were Jennings established? Take the last digit of this year to get E.
Walk uphill slightly to the left. You are now below the castle which dates from 1221. It is not normally open to the public. It is part ruin and part habitable. Turn right at Castlegate and walk down to Market Place.
6th Location N54 39.850 W003 21.688 Market Place
Market Place has recently been renovated. If you look carefully you will spot engraved bollards, Cumberland sheep counting, tributes to John Dalton and a host of hidden plaques and displays. If you look across Main Street you will see Percy House (now a gallery). Originally believed to be 16th C, there is now evidence to suggest it dates even earlier to the 14th C. Now back to the final clue. Have a look for an ironmonger (you don’t have to cross the road to see it). In what year was it established? First digit of this year to get F.
You now have all you need for the final cache.