Cockermouth is a designated ‘gem town’, a thriving historic market town full of hidden surprises at every turn. It boasts a great selection of pubs, quaint restaurants, micro-breweries, local craft shops, independent coffee houses, delicatessens, speciality shops and of course, well known retailers and branded stores too. Your nearest supermarket is a 2-minute walk, as are a couple of pubs serving great food and local cask ales. If you like culture, Kirkgate Arts Centre shows movies, arts and drama. The National Trust Wordsworth House is just a few minutes’ walk. The leisure centre is also nearby, as well as local cycle hire. There are several local walks around the town and its parks including a historic Town Trail.
Cockermouth is on the border of the Lake District National Park, so whether you like the rugged adventure of the mountains or the serenity of the seaside, you’ve got the best of both worlds. Within fifteen drive you can be at Loweswater or Crummock Water, leading onto Buttermere, all boasting stunning panoramic scenery with majestic fells to suit different abilities of walkers. Take a 5-mile drive to Bassenthwaite Lake at the foot of the Skiddaw range for fantastic walks, woodland, wildlife and water sports.
You’ll also find the Lakes Distillery offering tasting tours as well as the Lake District Wildlife Park just 6 miles away. The popular town of Keswick is 14 miles away and can be reached in about 20 minutes by car or regular bus service. The area is greatly suited to cyclists with many quiet backroads, and the trails through Whinlatter Forest Park.