Exploring The Richly Historic Cumbrian Town Of Egremont

Egremont is a market town located in Cumbria with a rich history and a fascinating culture. It is situated on the River Ehen, only a short distance from the west coast of northern England and at the foot of the Uldale Valley and Dent Fell. The nearest larger town is Whitehaven, actually located on the coast and Egremont is also just over an hour away by road from Carlisle. Its northern location also means it is only a fairly short drive to the Scottish border, where towns such as Gretna are easily accessible. There is no train station in Egremont itself but there are good bus links with Whitehaven which has decent rail connections; in addition, the A595 bypasses Egremont, offering excellent road links throughout Cumbria and beyond.

Egremont has a history that dates back to a Danish settlement on the site from some time before 1000AD and there was a Norman castle at the town from the 12th Century, the ruins of which are still present today and provide a popular tourist attraction. Since around 1300 the town has had a similar layout to that which it has now, with its main street widening out into a market square. More recently, Egremont became a key industrial town and was the home for businesses which operated in mining, dyeing and weaving, allowing it to serve the growing port at Whitehaven. In 1968, the first comprehensive school in Britain was opened in Egremont and around the same time it drew an increasing number of residents thanks to the nearby Sellafield nuclear plant which is still in operation today.

There are many draws to Egremont that provide appeal to residents and visitors alike. The nearby Clints Quarry is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its history of mining agricultural lime and the surrounding area has many fantastic locations for walking and cycling. Egremont Castle is a destination of particular historical interest as it dates back to the Norman invasion of England and it now provides a fascinating ruin to explore. There are also numerous other sites of the town's industrial and mining heritage to experience in the area. One of the key features of Egremont's culture is the annual Crab Fair which has been running since gaining a royal charter in 1267, thus making it one of the oldest fairs in the country. It is usually held on the third Saturday of September and is a fairly major local event, with the main street being closed to allow space for street dancing, greasy pole climbing and regional sports such as Cumberland wrestling. The Egremont Crab Fair is also home to the World Gurning Championships a great attraction for anyone looking for a bit of fun.

Overall, there is plenty in Egremont to give it its distinctive and unique charm, whether it is the rich history, the industrial heritage or the quirky events that it hosts. Nearby Sellafield provides a wealth of jobs and decent transport links allow residents good access to the surrounding region and the whole of Cumbria.