Near Carlisle Accommodation

Wigton Tourist Information

Wigton has a famous son, now Lord, Melvyn Bragg. Bragg was born and brought up in Wigton. One of his books, 'A Time to Dance' was dramatised for TV, and set and filmed in Wigton.

» Find Accommodation in Near Carlisle

Wigton is a charming Cumbria location, with a history that stretches back to its market charter in 1262. Medieval marks remain in the town, particularly in the layout but much of Wigton's architecture is Georgian.

» Find Heritage and Culture Near Carlisle

Featured Lake District Accommodation

Bailey Mill Inn & Apartments - Near Newcastleton

B&B and self-catering accommodation in rural Cumbria offering tailor made riding holidays, racing breaks or just a quiet escape. Stables, bar and restaurant.

£168 to £578 Per week (seasonal)

Historical Wigton

Wigton's nickname, 'The Throstle's Nest', originates from a soldier returning from the trenches after the First World War and looking across to his home town exclaiming 'Away lads, it's the throstle's nest of all England!'. Wigton makes an excellent walking base for walking the Calbeck Fells, or for visiting Hadrian's Wall and Carlisle or across to the beautiful Solway coast.

Wigton is crammed with interesting historical sites and scenes. Right in the middle where there was once a thriving market, stands The George Memorial Fountain, built in 1872 by a local philanthropist, George Moore. In true Victorian show he dedicated it to his wife. There are some interesting bronzes around the fountain which are the work of the pre-Raphaelite sculptor Thomas Woolner.

The old St Mary's Church dates from 1788, however this site has been home to a church since the 12th century. A famous row of houses, Proctors Row, is near the church. Move on to The Highmoor Bell Tower which was erected by the Banks family during the Industrial Revolution and finished in 1887. Legacies of the Banks family in Wigton include Highmoor Mansion, now flats and the Wigton Baths and the Conservative Club which is now the Kildare Hotel.

There were Chartist riots in Wigton the 1830s and 40s and Market Hill was a popular site for cock fights, religious meetings and bear-baiting. Market Hill was also the site of the original livestock market.

Famous Visitors to Wigton & Specialist Shops

Both Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins stopped for the night at the Kings Arms in Wigton in 1857.

Today Wigton boasts a fine selection of specialist shops, lots of real ale pubs, many hotels and plenty of cafes and restaurants. There's even a little theatre and Wigton is a drop off point on the Cumbria Coastal Railway, making it most accessible to Carlisle. The perfect countryside small town base, with an interesting history.

Wigton Town Trail

For the full trail leaflet check out the local Tourist Information centres including: The Wigton Tourist information Point at Water Street Car Park, Wigton. Silloth tourist Information Centre, Criffel Street, Silloth, Tel: 016973 31944

Featured Lake District Accommodation

Bailey Mill Inn & Apartments - Near Newcastleton

B&B and self-catering accommodation in rural Cumbria offering tailor made riding holidays, racing breaks or just a quiet escape. Stables, bar and restaurant.

£168 to £578 Per week (seasonal)

Bookmark this page with: