wigton...
Tall Georgian houses lining its streets, an attractive memorial fountain gracing the old market place and an elegant Georgian church all suggest that Wigton was a market town of some importance in days gone by, with its jumble of streets, narrow lanes and alleyways somehow earning it the nickname ‘The Throstle's Nest'.
While some well-known literary figures have passed through the town (notably Charles Dickens in 1857), one notable writer and broadcaster was actually born here - Melvin Bragg (later honoured as Lord Bragg of Wigton).
About the area
History & heritage
Just south of Wigton the Romans built a major fort - Olenacum or Maglona (commonly known as Old Carlisle) that played a key role in defending the Roman supply network.
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Natural environment
Wigton has it's own nature reserve; watchtree. Watchtree is a haven for wildlife and has well surfaced footpaths and cycle tracks.
What's on
From local markets to Wigton's village festivals, why not see what events are available in & nearby Wigton.
Oddities
The Ship Inn
The Ship Inn at Thursby was the birthplace of Sir Thomas Bouch (1822-1880) who designed many structures, the most famous being the Tay Railway Bridge in Scotland (1878) - at the time the world's longest span. In 1879, a storm caused the bridge to collapse taking with it a train and 75 passengers. Thomas was blamed for the disaster and died, a broken man, less than a year later.
Portrait painter
Robert Smirke (1752-1845), portrait painter and illustrator, was born in Wigton.
Windmills
Sloan's windmill, near Wigton railway station, was once the tallest windmill in Cumberland.
