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Longtown

Longtown is situated on the south bank of the river Esk, nine miles north of Carlisle and three miles south of the Scottish border. Longtown is hosts the largest sheep and cattle market in England.

The creation of Longtown was associated with the Rev. Robert Graham, who inherited the nearby Netherby Estates, and drained 1,000 acres of marshland to create roads. Villages began to spring up in the area, and homes and schools were built. Books were also made available to the local people.

St Andrew´s church is situated on the opposite side of the river to the hall and was restored in 1893, showing touches of Italian culture and heritage in its design.

The Parish Church of Longtown was dedicated to St Michael, and stands on land which was known as Arthur´s Head. The Gothic-style church was built in 1609, and the parish name became Arthuret. The tower was only completed in 1690, after the people originally employed to build it, ran away with the money.  The church was renovated in 1750 and a new slate roof added. The Knights of Malta are represented in the churchyard by a cross.

Situated close to the Scottish border, the history of Longtown has not been peaceful. Scots raiders often plundered the area for cattle and other goods, and the site of the famous Battle of Solway Moss in 1542, lies close by. James V had defeated the English at Haddon Rig in August 1542, and decided to invade England. With an army of 10,000 men against an English army of Sir Thomas Wharton, with only 3,000 men, the Scots should have been victorious. However, many of the Scottish soldiers were not loyal to the unpopular James V and wanted no part of the battle. When battle commenced on November 24th, many of the Scots threw away their weapons and retreated. More than 1,200 surrendered to the English and James V fled to Edinburgh, and later died at Linlithgow Palace just a couple of weeks later.

The Solway Firth later became a favourite area for smugglers to land their contraband goods, and is popular today with birdwatchers looking for wading birds and wildfowl. Oakbank is a country park, situated just outside Longtown which offers visitors the chance to fish, bird-watch and walk through some of the most beautiful countryside in the area.

Dr Robert Graham laid out the town with the wide tree-lined streets you see today, and he established the Graham Arms as a coaching inn to cater for travellers and mail from Edinburgh across the toll bridge. Regular passengers on the coach south were Esk salmon which were sold throughout England.

There are plenty of attractions and places of interest around Longtown, and a vast range of accommodation. Wherever you decide to stay in the Lake District, you can make the most of the boutique hotels, themed hotels, hostels, b&b accommodation and holiday cottages which are dotted around the area. You will also find some of the best country pubs, restaurants and attractions close to Longtown.

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