Aikton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aikton |
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 The Rectory, Aikton |
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 Aikton
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| Area | 2.86 sq mi (7.4 km2) |
| Population | 467 (2011) |
| • Density | 163/sq mi (63/km2) |
| OS grid reference | NY273534 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WIGTON |
| Postcode district | CA7 |
| Dialling code | 016973 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Aikton is a small, peaceful village in the north of Cumbria, a county in England. It's located about 3 miles (5 km) from the town of Wigton and 8 miles (13 km) from the city of Carlisle. The village is also close to the Scottish border, sitting near the River Eden. Aikton is part of the historic county of Cumberland.
Exploring Aikton Village
Aikton has a local pub, a phone box, and a post box. However, you won't find any shops here. The village is known for its old church, St Andrew's. This church is over 900 years old, making it one of the oldest in the area. Experts describe its strong west front from the 12th century. They also note its Norman and Early English Period designs.
The village pub, called the 'Aikton Inn', was built in the 1700s. It also offers rooms for visitors as a Bed and Breakfast. Many houses in Aikton have lovely views of the Lake District, a famous national park. The land around the village is mostly farmland. You'll often see cows grazing in the fields.
The Story Behind Aikton's Name
The name 'Aikton' comes from old Scandinavian words. It likely means 'oak-tree hamlet'. A 'hamlet' is a very small village. The word 'OScand' usually refers to Old Norse, an ancient language. So, Aikton was probably a small settlement surrounded by oak trees long ago.
Aikton's Parish and History
Aikton is also a 'parish'. A parish is a local area with its own church and local government. It used to be an ancient parish in the county of Cumberland. The parish stretches about five miles (8 km) from north to south and two miles (3 km) wide. It covers a total area of 6,156 acres. The village itself makes up 1,829 acres of this.
The Aikton parish includes other small villages too. These are Biglands, Gamelsby, Wampool, and Wiggonby. For a long time, until the 1500s, the area faced challenges from groups of border raiders. The land was once part of a large estate called a 'demesne'. This estate was owned by the Burgh Barony until 1202.
