Aspatria

Aspatria (/ˌæsˈpeɪtriə/) is a civil parish in the non-metropolitan district of Allerdale, and is currently embraced in the Parliamentary constituency of Workington. Historically within Cumberland the town rests on the north side of the Ellen Valley, overlooking a panoramic view of the countryside, with Skiddaw to the South and the Solway Firth to the North. Its location is in an east west direction on the main A596, Carlisle to Workington road and extends approximately 2 miles (3 km) in length. It lies about 8 miles (12 km) to the Northeast of Maryport, a similar distance to the Southwest of Wigton, about 9 miles (14 km) north of Cockermouth and 5 miles (8 km) from the coast and Allonby. The parish is bounded on the North by the parishes of Bromfield and Westnewton; on the West by Gilcrux and Crosscannonby; on the South by Plumbland and Torpenow; and on the East by Bromfield and Allhallows. It comprises the townships of Aspatria and Brayton, Hayton and Mealo, and Oughterside and Allerby. The united area being 8,345 acres; while the township embraces an area of 1,600 acres. In earlier days a Roman road leading from "Old Carlisle" to Ellenborough passed through the hamlet. The population has largely increased since the mid nineteenth century. In 1801, the village comprised 98 dwellings with a population of 321. By 1851, there were 236 family entities, comprising 1,123 residents; by 1871, the numbers had increased to 1,778; and twenty years later stood at 2,714. By the start of the 20th century, the population had risen to 2,885; twenty years later it peaked at 3,521. Although the population slumped in the 1930s to 3,189, it recovered to 3,500, in 1951; and by 1981, the population appeared stable at 2,745. It is served by Aspatria railway station. Aspatria is located on the fringe of the English Lake District.

The parish church of St Kentigern was completed in 1848. Fragments of masonry and crosses from earlier structures on the same site are preserved there.