| Kirkoswald
Eden Valley, Cumbria. Theme - Towns, Villages, Cities Other themes: Lake District, Settle-Carlisle Railway |
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Kirkoswald
is one of the most attractive villages in the lower Eden valley. The name
for once presents little mystery, meaning simply "the Church of St.Oswald",
who, according to a carved inscription at the church, was the King of Northumbria
from 634 to 642 AD.
The village has a variety of buildings, many of which were constructed with stone from the nearby ruined Kirkoswald Castle. This was built in the late 11th century, but was destroyed by Scottish invaders (including Robert the Bruce in 1311) and was rebuilt on several occasions. The Settle-Carlisle line did not benefit this village. With the nearest stations now being at Little Salkeld and at Lazonby it was the village of Lazonby that developed while Kirkoswald declined. |
TThe ancient church of St.Oswald is separated from the village by a small hill, and, unusually, has a separate bell tower on the hill. The bell tower, now a Victorian reconstruction, was apparently built to make the call to church audible to the villagers. At the side of the church is St. Oswald's well.
