natural wonder
Loweswater
The smallest and most tranquil of the western lakes, uniquely draining inland towards Crummock Water rather than out to sea.
9 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Cockermouth
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Cockermouth
Cockermouth works well as a base: 15 minutes from Dearham, 9km from Loweswater.
Cockermouth is in England, United Kingdom, with about 9,100 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Dearham, about 8 km away.
Cockermouth is a market town and civil parish in the Cumberland unitary authority area of Cumbria, England. The name refers to the town's position by the confluence of the River Cocker into the River Derwent. At the 2021 census, the built up area had a population of 8,860.
Cockermouth is situated a short distanceRead more
outside the English Lake District on its north-west fringe. Much of the architectural core of the town remains unchanged since the basic medieval layout was filled in the 18th and 19th centuries. The regenerated market place is now a central historical focus within the town and reflects events from its 800-year history. The town is prone to flooding and experienced severe floods in 2005, 2009 and 2015.
Mary, Queen of Scots, came to Cockermouth in 1568, after her defeat at the Battle of Langside. She is said to have stayed at the house of Henry Fletcher (died 1574), who gave her a velvet gown and she later sent him a letter of thanks. Fletcher's son moved from Cockermouth to Moresby Hall in Parton, Cumbria.
Where to Stay in Cockermouth
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Cockermouth.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Cockermouth.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Cockermouth?
Within an hour or so of Cockermouth: Loweswater (9 km), Bassenthwaite Lake (10 km), Whinlatter Pass (B5292) (11 km), Crummock Water (12 km).
Are there any good drives near Cockermouth?
The nearest famous roads are Whinlatter Pass (B5292), Newlands Pass (Newlands Hause) and Honister Pass.
Where is Cockermouth?
Cockermouth is in England, United Kingdom, about 8 km from Dearham.
Road trip
Drive to Cockermouth
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Cockermouth. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 9,146
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.6621, -3.3609
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Cockermouth
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Bassenthwaite Lake
Strictly the only body of water in the National Park called a 'lake', lying beneath Skiddaw and known for its ospreys.
10 km · about 20 min drive
famous road
Whinlatter Pass (B5292)
The forested pass between Braithwaite and Lorton, England's only true mountain forest road, gentler than its Lakeland neighbours.
11 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Crummock Water
Buttermere's larger neighbour, with Scale Force - the Lake District's highest waterfall - hidden in a ravine on its western shore.
12 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Newlands Pass (Newlands Hause)
A single-track climb from Braithwaite to Buttermere over 333m, with a roadside waterfall at the summit and views down to Crummock Water.
14 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Scale Force
The Lake District's highest waterfall at 52m, hidden in a mossy ravine above Crummock Water.
14 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Buttermere
Tranquil lake surrounded by dramatic fells including Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike, offering one of the finest circular walks in the Lake District.
15 km · about 25 min drive
mountain pass
Newlands Pass
A quiet, narrow pass through Newlands Valley with the Moss Force waterfall tumbling beside the road.
15 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Cockermouth
10 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- Right hereWhinlatter Pass (B5292)The forested pass between Braithwaite and Lorton, England's only true mountain forest road, gentler than its Lakeland neighbours.
- Right hereNewlands Pass (Newlands Hause)A single-track climb from Braithwaite to Buttermere over 333m, with a roadside waterfall at the summit and views down to Crummock Water.
- Right hereNewlands PassA quiet, narrow pass through Newlands Valley with the Moss Force waterfall tumbling beside the road.
- 16 kmCatbellsA small but shapely fell on the western shore of Derwentwater, one of the most popular first fell walks in the Lake District.
- 17 kmDerwentwaterA serene island-studded lake beside Keswick, perfect for a lakeside drive, launch cruise and the Surprise View overlook.
- 18 kmHonister PassA steep, single-track pass linking Borrowdale and Buttermere with hairpins, a slate mine and exhilarating gradients.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Cockermouth.
Plan a trip around Cockermouth
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Cockermouth.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.