Gosforth, Cumbria

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Gosfoth
latitude= 54.41886
longitude= -3.43408
shire_district= Copeland
shire_county = Cumbria
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Copeland
post_town= SEASCALE
postcode_district = CA20
postcode_area= CA
dial_code= 019467

Gosforth is a village in the Lake District in west Cumbria in Northwest England. It is situated on the A595 road between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness.

Gosforth contains an assemblage of Norse artefacts in and around St. Mary's church including the tallest and oldest Viking Cross in England, the Gosforth cross. Another huge cross was cut down in 1789 to make a sundial base.

Work began on Gosforth Hall, now a Hotel and Restaurant near St. Mary's church, in 1658, by a local gentleman called Robert Copley. The date of completion is not clear, although the date on the Coat of Arms situated in the bar is 1673. Copley had previously refused to pay the Royal Herald for his own coat of arms and instead, made one up himself.In his history of "The Gosforth District", Dr. C.A Parker states that Robert Copley in 1658 built "a large handsome house with orchards and gardens suitable", and Parker states that henceforth the house was named Gosforth Hall. With the Hall being within the precinct of the church, it was likely that evidence of earlier occupation might be discovered. In 2005, the present owners of Gosforth Hall commissioned a small archaeological excavation within the grounds. This turned up some interesting finds indicating previous occupation on the site. A [http://www.carvetii.com/project1.htm summary report of the findings] can be seen here. This preliminary work is to be followed up in 2007 with a further excavation

Gosforth is a small village situated near many other towns and villages including Whitehaven, Egremont, Ravenglass and Wasdale. It is close to Wastwater, the deepest lake in England, and also a 10-15 minutes drive from Seascale village and beach. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and rolling hills, and there is also a stream running through the main part of the village.

There are many amenities in the village, such as newsagents, grocery store and post office, public houses, a craft shop, a garage, the local school, the church, a hotel, an outdoor equipment store and a bakery.

Gosforth is the base for two major athletic events each year, a ten mile run and associated fun run in June (11th in 2008) and a 10 kilometre race which is on the first Tuesday in September

External links

* [http://gosforthvillage.net Gosforth official website]