Lorton Vale and The Village

The Lorton Vale stretches from the shores of Buttermere to the historical market town of Cockermouth. The river Cocker runs through Lorton. Cocker means ‘crooked’ and the river does indeed twist and turn along the valley until it reaches the confluence with the Derwent. The River Cocker is reputed to be the fastest river in England.

Lorton is also the wedding place of the Maid of Buttermere made famous by Melvyn Bragg, and the site of the original Jennings brewery, which is now in nearby Cockermouth and offers enjoyable tours.

The village of Lorton is a gem, very attractive and quite undiscovered. The famous Yew in Wordworth’s poem stands behind the village hall and is hundreds of years old.

The Old Vicarage itself stands on the ancient boundary between High and Low Lorton and the lane was historically known as Crossgates.

St Cuthbert’s Church, also on this lane, was founded in the 12th Century and is a short stroll from The Old Vicarage. This is a quintessential English setting. It almost goes without saying that this spot is ideally situated for exploring the northern fells and the peace and tranquillity of the nearby lakes of Crummock Water, Buttermere and Loweswater.

"Yew Trees" by William Wordworth

There is a Yew-tree, pride of Lorton Vale,
Which to this day stands single, in the midst
Of its own darkness, as it stood of yore:
Not loathe to furnish weapons for the Bands
Of Umfraville or Percy ere they marched
To Scotland's heaths; or those that crossed the sea
And drew their sounding bows at Azincour,
Perhaps at earlier Crecy, or Poictiers.
Of vast circumference and gloom profound
This solitary Tree! -a living thing
Produced too slowly ever to decay;
Of form and aspect too magnificent
To be destroyed. But worthier still of note
Are those fraternal Four of Borrowdale,
Joined in one solemn and capacious grove;
Huge trunks! -and each particular trunk a growth
Of intertwisted fibres serpentine
Up-coiling, and inveteratley convolved, -
Nor uninformed with Fantasy, and looks
That threaten the profane; -a pillared shade,
Upon whose grassless floor of red-brown hue,
By sheddings from the pining umbrage tinged
Perennially -beneath whose sable roof
Of boughs, as if for festal purpose decked
With unrejoicing berries -ghostly Shapes
May meet at noontide: Fear and trembling Hope,
Silence and Foresight, Death the Skeleton
And Time the Shadow; there to celebrate,
As in a natural temple scattered o’er
With altars undisturbed of mossy stone,
United worship; or in mute repose
To lie, and listen to the mountain flood
Murmuring from Glaramara’s inmost caves.