Cumbria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cumbria
Ceremonial county
Derwentwater in the Lake District, a tower of Carlisle Citadel and St Bees Head
Location of Cumbria within England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Constituent country	England
Region	North West England
Established	1 April 1974
Established by	Local Government Act 1972
Time zone	UTC±00:00 (Greenwich Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+01:00 (British Summer Time)
Members of Parliament	6 MPs
Police	Cumbria Constabulary
Largest city	Carlisle
Ceremonial county Lord Lieutenant Alexander Scott High Sheriff Samantha Scott Area [convert: needs a number]  • Ranked of 48 Population (2005 est.) 498,800  • Ranked 41st of 48 Density 73/km2 (190/sq mi) Ethnicity 97.6% White 1.0% Asian 0.8% mixed 0.2% Black 0.3% other Districts Districts of Cumbria   Unitary Districts Cumberland Westmorland and Furness

Cumbria (/ˈkʌmbriə/ kum-BREE-ə) is a special county in North West England. It shares borders with Scotland to the north. To the east are Northumberland and County Durham. North Yorkshire and Lancashire are to the south. The Irish Sea is to the west. The biggest city in Cumbria is Carlisle.

Cumbria is mostly countryside. It covers 6,769 km² (2,614 sq mi). About 500,012 people live there. This makes it the third largest county by size. But it is the eighth smallest by population. After Carlisle (74,281 people), the largest towns are Barrow-in-Furness (56,745), Kendal (29,593), and Whitehaven (23,986). For local government, Cumbria has two main areas. These are Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland. Cumbria was made in 1974. It combined parts of older counties like Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire.

The middle of Cumbria has many hills and mountains. The south-west has the Lake District. This is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. Windermere is England's longest and largest lake. The Border Moors and North Pennines are on the eastern side. The south-east has the Orton Fells and Howgill Fells. Part of the Yorkshire Dales is also there. These are all inside the Yorkshire Dales national park. The Vale of Eden is a valley. It runs from south-east to north-west. It widens into the Solway Plain near Carlisle. Cumbria has a long coast to the west. It has flat land along most of its length. In the north-west, it borders the Solway Firth. This is a special natural area. To the south are the Cartmel and Furness peninsulas. East of these, Cumbria includes part of Arnside and Silverdale. This is also a national landscape.

Cumbria has ancient stone monuments. Some are from the Neolithic period, like Mayburgh Henge. The area was on the edge of Roman Britain. Hadrian's Wall runs through the north of the county. In the early Middle Ages, parts of Cumbria belonged to different kingdoms. These included Rheged, Northumbria, and Strathclyde. There were also Vikings living there. It became a border area between England and Scotland. It was often unsettled until 1603. During the Industrial Revolution, coal was mined in the Cumberland Coalfield. Barrow-in-Furness became a place for building ships. The Lake District became famous for its beautiful scenery. Writers like the Lake Poets loved it.

The Name of Cumbria

The names Cumbria and Cumberland both mean "land of the Cumbrians". These names come from how the people living there described themselves. Between 400 and 1100 AD, people in Britain who were 'Britons' likely called themselves something like 'Cum-ri'. This means "fellow countrymen". This name also lives on in the Welsh name for Wales, which is Cymru.

The first time the name Cumberland was written down was in 945 AD. This was in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle. It spoke of a kingdom called Cumberland. This kingdom might have stretched from Loch Lomond to Leeds in the 10th century. The first king clearly called "king of the Cumbrians" was Owain ap Dyfnwal. He ruled from about 915 to 937 AD.

History of Cumbria

The Castlerigg stone circle is very old. It was built by some of Cumbria's first people.

Cumbria was created in April 1974. It was formed by joining parts of older counties. These were Cumberland and Westmorland. Also added were parts of Lancashire (called Lancashire North of the Sands) and a small piece of West Riding of Yorkshire.

During the Neolithic period, this area was important. It had a big factory for making stone axes. These axes have been found all over Great Britain. During this time, people also built stone circles and henges. Today, Cumbria has many old stone monuments.

The Romans did not conquer this area at first. But later, most of modern Cumbria was taken over. This happened after a local ruler was removed in 69 AD. The Romans built many forts here. The most famous is Hadrian's Wall. This UNESCO World Heritage Site runs through northern Cumbria.

Around 410 AD, after the Romans left, people in Cumbria spoke Cumbric. They were Romano-Britons. They were likely descendants of the Brigantes and Carvetii tribes. The names Cumbria, Cymru (the Welsh name for Wales), Cambria, and Cumberland all come from their word for "compatriots".

Cumbria was once thought to be the center of the Early Middle Ages kingdom of Rheged. But new discoveries suggest this might not be true. For many centuries, different groups fought over Cumbria. These included the Celtic Kingdom of Strathclyde and the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria. There were also Vikings here. Most of Cumbria was part of the Kingdom of Scotland in 1066. So, it was not included in the Domesday Book survey.

In 1092, William II invaded the region. He made it part of England. However, the area was often affected by wars between England and Scotland. These were called the Anglo-Scottish Wars. There were also Border Reivers, who were like raiders. They took advantage of the changing borders. Carlisle Castle was attacked many times.

After the Jacobite Risings in the 1700s, Cumbria became more peaceful. Like other parts of Northern England, its towns grew during the Industrial Revolution. Towns on the west coast like Workington, Millom, and Barrow-in-Furness built large iron and steel mills. Barrow also became a big center for shipbuilding. Kendal, Keswick, and Carlisle became mill towns. They made things like textiles, pencils, and biscuits.

In the early 1800s, Cumbria became famous. The Lake Poets like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived there. They were inspired by the lakes and mountains. Later, the children's writer Beatrix Potter also lived and wrote in the region. She bought a lot of land. When she died, she gave much of it to the National Trust. This helped create the Lake District National Park in 1951. It is still the largest National Park in England. It is a big part of Cumbria's identity and economy.

The historic counties shown within Cumbria

  Boundary of Cumbria

     Historic Cumberland      Historic Westmorland      Historic Lancashire      West Riding of Yorkshire

Cumbria was created in 1974. It combined the old counties of Cumberland and Westmorland. It also included the Carlisle area and the Furness part of Lancashire. This part was known as "Lancashire North of the Sands." A small part of the West Riding of Yorkshire was also added. From 1974 to 2023, Cumbria County Council governed the county. In 2023, this council was replaced. Two new local councils were formed: Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.

Local newspapers still use the names of the historic counties. For example, The Westmorland Gazette and Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. But other official materials use "Cumbria." The Lake District National Park Authority also uses "Cumbria."

Geography of Cumbria

A map showing the hills and valleys of Cumbria.

Cumbria is in the north-west of England. It is mostly mountainous. There are large hilly areas in the south-west and east. The south-west has the Lake District. This is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain at 978 metres (3,209 ft). It also has Windermere, England's longest and largest lake. The Border Moors and North Pennines are along the eastern border. The south-east has the Orton Fells and Howgill Fells. Part of the Yorkshire Dales is also there. These are all within the Yorkshire Dales national park.

The Vale of Eden is a valley. It runs from south-east to north-west. It widens into the Solway Plain near Carlisle. Cumbria has a long coast to the west. It has flat land along most of its length. In the north-west, it borders the Solway Firth. This is a special natural area. To the south are the Cartmel and Furness peninsulas. East of these, Cumbria includes part of Arnside and Silverdale. This is also a national landscape. The Lancaster Canal runs into southern Cumbria. The Ulverston Canal is also maintained.

Boundaries and Areas

The northernmost point in Cumbria is west of Deadwater, Northumberland. The southernmost point is at South Walney. Kirkby Stephen is the most easterly point. St Bees Head is the most westerly point. The western border is the Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay. The eastern border is along the Pennines. Cumbria's northern border stretches from the Solway Firth along the border with Scotland.

Cumbria borders several English counties. These are Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire, and Lancashire. It also borders two areas in Scotland: Dumfries and Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale.

High Cup Nick, a beautiful spot in the North Pennines.

Economy

BAE Systems Submarine Solutions in Barrow-in-Furness. It employs about 12,000 people.

Many large companies and groups are in Cumbria. The county council itself employs about 17,000 people. The biggest private employer is BAE Systems in Barrow. It employs about 12,000 people. The Sellafield nuclear site has 10,000 workers.

Tourism

The entrance to Whinlatter Forest Park.

Sizergh Castle.

Muncaster Castle.

Tourism is the biggest industry in Cumbria. The Lake District National Park gets about 15.8 million visitors each year. But fewer than 50,000 people live there all the time. Most live in towns like Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, and Keswick. Over 36,000 people in Cumbria work in tourism. This adds £1.1 billion a year to the county's economy. The Lake District attracts visitors from all over the UK and the world.

Here are some of the most visited places in Cumbria in 2009:

How Cumbria is Governed

Local Government

Cumbria is now run by two main councils. These are Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. The Cumberland area covers the north and west of Cumbria. Westmorland and Furness covers the south and east. These councils are named after the old counties.

Cumberland Council has been led by the Labour party since 2022. Westmorland and Furness Council has been led by the Liberal Democrat party since 2022.

Before 2023, Cumbria was run by Cumbria County Council. There were also six smaller district councils. These were abolished on April 1, 2023. That is when the two new main councils started.

National Government

Cumbria has six areas that elect Members of Parliament (MPs). These are Barrow and Furness, Carlisle, Copeland, Penrith and the Border, Westmorland and Lonsdale, and Workington. In the 2019 election, five of these areas elected MPs from the Conservative Party. Westmorland and Lonsdale elected an MP from the Liberal Democrats.

Education

The University of Cumbria's Fusehill Campus in Carlisle.

Cumbria mostly has a comprehensive school system. This means most schools teach students of all abilities. There is one state grammar school in Penrith. Cumbria has 42 state secondary schools. It also has 10 independent schools. Many rural secondary schools have sixth forms. These are for students aged 16-18. In Barrow-in-Furness, no schools have sixth forms. This is because the only sixth form college in Cumbria is in that town.

Colleges for further education in Cumbria include:

• Carlisle College
• Furness College (which includes Barrow Sixth Form College)
• Kendal College
• Lakes College

The University of Cumbria is one of the UK's newest universities. It was started in 2007. It is the only university in Cumbria. It has campuses across the county. It also has campuses in Lancaster and London.

Transport

Roads

The M6 motorway and West Coast Main Line near Grayrigg Forest.

The M6 is the only motorway in Cumbria. It passes near Kendal and Penrith. Further north, it becomes the A74(M) at the Scottish border. Important A roads in Cumbria include:

Several bus companies operate in Cumbria. They serve the main towns and villages. Some services go to nearby areas like Lancaster. Stagecoach North West is the largest bus company. It has depots in Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Kendal, and Workington.

Airports

There are two airports in Cumbria. These are Carlisle Lake District and Barrow/Walney Island. Both used to have regular passenger flights. Both plan to expand for future domestic and European flights. The closest international airports to south Cumbria are Blackpool, Manchester, and Liverpool John Lennon. For north Cumbria, Newcastle and Glasgow International are closer.

Ports

Barrow-in-Furness is a major shipbuilding center. The Port of Barrow is a smaller port. It is run by Associated British Ports. They also run the Port of Silloth. There are no ferry links from Cumbria's coast.

Railways

The busiest train stations in Cumbria are Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness, Penrith, and Oxenholme Lake District. The 399 miles (642 km) West Coast Main Line runs through Cumbria. It is next to the M6 motorway. The Cumbrian Coast Line connects Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle. This is a very important link in the west of the county. Other railways include the Windermere Branch Line and the Settle-Carlisle Railway.

Population

Cumbria's largest town and only city is Carlisle. It is in the north of the county. The largest town, Barrow-in-Furness, is in the south. It is slightly smaller than Carlisle. Most of Cumbria's population lives in the countryside. It has the second-lowest population density among English counties. Only five towns have more than 20,000 people. Cumbria is also one of the most ethnically similar counties. About 95.1% of people are White British. This is about 470,900 out of 495,000 Cumbrians. However, the larger towns have more diverse populations. The 2001 census showed that Christianity was the most common religion.

In 2010, estimates showed about 14,000 people born outside the UK lived in Cumbria. About 6,000 were foreign nationals. The 2001 UK Census showed these were the most common birth countries for Cumbria residents:

Towns and Villages

Sports and Activities

Running

Fell running is a popular sport in Cumbria. It involves running over hills and mountains. Many competitions happen throughout the year. Cumbria also has active orienteering clubs. Orienteering is a sport where you use a map and compass to find your way.

Football Games

Workington is home to a traditional football game. It is called Uppies and Downies. Its roots are in medieval football. Players from nearby towns also join in.

Association Football

Brunton Park, the home stadium of Carlisle United.

Barrow and Carlisle United are Cumbria's professional football teams. Carlisle United has fans from all over Cumbria. Workington is a well-supported non-league team. They are known locally as "the reds." In 2020, Barrow was promoted to the Football League.

Rugby Games

Rugby union is popular in the north and east of Cumbria. Teams include Carlisle RUFC and Kendal RUFC.

Craven Park, home of Barrow Raiders.

Rugby league is very popular in south and West Cumbria. Barrow, Whitehaven, and Workington play in the Rugby League Championships. Many amateur teams also play in the area.

Bat-and-Ball Sports

Cumbria County Cricket Club is a cricket team. It plays in the National Counties competition. The club is based in Carlisle. It also plays some home matches in Workington. Local cricket teams play in the North Lancashire and Cumbria League.

Cumbria is also home to the Cartmel Valley Lions. This is an amateur baseball team.

Wrestling

Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is an old tradition in the county. It is similar to Scottish Backhold. This style of wrestling is practiced at the Grasmere Sports and Show. This event happens every year since 1852.

The origin of this wrestling style is debated. Some say it came from Norse wrestling brought by Vikings. Others think it developed from older Celtic traditions.

Racing

Cumbria Kart Racing Club is at the Lakeland Circuit in Rowrah. This track hosts rounds of major UK national karting championships. Formula One world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button both raced karts here. Other F1 drivers like Johnny Herbert and David Coulthard also competed at Rowrah.

Workington Comets was a professional speedway team. They were based in Workington. They competed in the British Speedway Championship.

Food

Cumbria has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK. It had seven in the 2021 guide. Traditional Cumbrian food was influenced by spices and molasses. These were brought into Whitehaven in the 1700s. The Cumberland sausage is a famous example. It has special protected status. Other local foods include Herdwick mutton. Also, salt-marsh raised lamb from the Cartmel Peninsula is popular.

Media

Two evening newspapers are published daily in Cumbria. The News and Star covers Carlisle and northern Cumbria. The North-West Evening Mail is based in Barrow-in-Furness. It covers news from Furness and the South Lakes. The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald and The Westmorland Gazette are weekly newspapers. They are based in Penrith and Kendal. The Herdwick News is an online news publication. It covers Cumbria and the North West.

Cumbria is covered by two television regions. These are BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Border in the north. In the south, it's BBC North West and ITV Granada. Heart North West, Greatest Hits Radio Cumbria & South West Scotland, and Smooth Lake District are popular local radio stations. BBC Radio Cumbria is the only station for all of Cumbria.

The movie The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988) is set in Cumbria. It shows the time of the Black Death in the 1300s. Cumbria also hosts festivals. These include Kendal Calling (held in Penrith) and Kendal Mountain Festival.

Places to Visit

Furness Abbey.

Hadrian's Wall.

Muncaster Castle.

Key
	Owned by the National Trust
	Owned by English Heritage
	Owned by the Forestry Commission
	A Country Park
	An Accessible open space
	Museum (free)
	Museum (charges entry fee)
	Heritage railway
	Historic House

Images for kids

• 

  St Bees Head

• 

  Castlerigg Stone Circle

• 

  Windermere

• 

  Thirlmere

Famous People from Cumbria

• 

  Stan Laurel

• 

  Beatrix Potter

• 

  William Wordsworth

See also

In Spanish: Cumbria para niños