{"id":449,"date":"2019-02-25T15:20:25","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T15:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/?p=449"},"modified":"2022-10-03T16:42:23","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T15:42:23","slug":"wigton-in-five-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wigton-in-five-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"Wigton – The Five Minute Spare Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

A quick guide to Wigton<\/h2>\n

Wigton is a small market town in Cumbria, north-west England. It\u2019s situated about 12 miles south-west of Carlisle<\/a> and 16 miles north-east of Maryport<\/a>, between the Caldbeck Fells and the Solway coast, on the fringe of the Lake District. It\u2019s an ancient settlement dating back to pre-medieval times. In the 2011 census, the population of Wigton was recorded as being 5,831.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go to the Cumbria Business Directory<\/a>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wigton, A Fleeting History<\/h2>\n

The Romans were the first known settlers in the area, establishing a fort (Maglona) and large civilian settlement, just south of the present town. The fort complex became known by locals as ‘Old Carlisle’.\u00a0It\u2019s thought that the Roman cavalry based at the fort were utilised as a rapid response force to ward off incursions at Hadrian\u2019s Wall. In the period immediately after Roman rule, Wigton formed part of the native kingdom of Rheged. At some time during the dark ages, Wigton became an established settlement forming part of Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria. By the time William I had the Domesday Book prepared in 1086, Wigton along with most of ancient Cumberland, formed part of Scotland. Thus, the town was never documented as part of the Doomsday manuscript.<\/p>\n

In 1092, Carlisle Castle was built by the Normans to serve as a regional seat of power and administrative centre. Odard de Logis was appointed as Sheriff of Carlisle, and subsequently \u00a0made Baron of Wigton, around 1100. In early 13th<\/sup> century, the \u2018de Logis\u2019 barony changed their surname to \u2018de Wigton\u2019. However, in 1348, the male line of the \u2018de Wigton\u2019 family died out, so the jurisdiction for Wigton passed to the Barony of Cockermouth.<\/p>\n

In 1262, Wigton received a market charter from Henry III. The triangular market place that evolved in the town centre, very much became the focal point of life in medieval Wigton. The town\u2019s market survives to this day, taking place every Tuesday.<\/p>\n

By the late 17th<\/sup> century, Wigton had begun to develop a linen trade, initially as a cottage industry and natural extension of its agricultural function. The linen industry continued to grow through the 18th<\/sup> century and eventually the trade was taken over by industrial manufacturers. It was during the Georgian period that much of \u2018old\u2019 Wigton was constructed. In 1788, St. Mary’s Church was built at Church Street, where a church had stood since the 12th century.<\/p>\n

In 1845, the Maryport & Carlisle Railway line was launched, which saw a train station being constructed just outside the town. The land between the old town and new railway line became increasing tied over to industrial development. By the mid-19th century, a shirt factory, print works, a factory producing cotton, linen and woollens, and three dyeworks, had all set up in the town. Other industries included two tanneries, four breweries and three nail factories.<\/p>\n

In 1857, Charles Dickens and his literary peer Wilkie Collins, passed through Wigton staying at the King’s Arms Hotel, on their epic incognito tour of northern England. Their derisive account of Victorian Wigton can be found in the co-authored short story ‘The Lazy Tour of the Two Idle Apprentices’.<\/p>\n

In 1868, the shirt factory was taken over by Samuel Redmayne, who established Wigton\u2019s Clothing Factory. By 1900, the linen industry had significantly declined, and tanning became the town\u2019s principal industry. In 1901, Burnfoot Preserves Works (jam factory) established themselves in the town. However, by 1934 the jam factory had closed. In 1936, British New Wrap Co. opened a factory at the site, producing a variety of cellophane wrapping and labelling products.<\/p>\n

Wigton\u2019s population almost doubled between 1801 and 1831, i.e. from 2,450 to 4,885. \u00a0However, at the end of the century it had declined to around 4,000, dropping further to a low of 3,521 by 1931. It then gradually increased during the rest of the 20th century to stand at 5,360 in 2001.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Modern Era<\/h2>\n

Redmayne’s clothing factory remained a leading employer in the town until late 20th century, the building been eventually demolished in 1987. The town’s main employment today is concerned with the manufacture of cellophane. The cellophane factory slowly expanded under the ownership of British Rayophane, then British Sidac, and then as a wholly owned subsidiary of the UCB Group. A new factory was built in 1963, and further major expansion took place in 1990’s, when it employed around 1500 at it’s peak. Today, the factory is the global head office of Innovia Films Ltd., employing around 600 people.<\/p>\n

Today Wigton is a thriving market town, with livestock auctions being held regularly at Hopes Auction Company. Many of Wigton\u2019s 18th century Georgian buildings have survived largely intact. And so have its jumble of streets, narrow lanes and alleyways, which earned it the nickname of\u00a0 the *throstle’s nest. The\u00a0 naming of which has been accredited to a returning soldier from WWI.<\/p>\n