Cross Canonby is a village three miles north east of Maryport.
Crosby, Birkby, Ellengrove, Allerby Hall, Kirkby, together with part of Bulgill combine as a township...first recorded in the 11th century.
Many of the buildings are built of sandstone, probably from large slabs hewn from Cross Canonby quarry, and man-handled to site.
Sandstone in fact from a much earlier church was used to build St.Johns, an 11th century church, which can be seen with its Roman chancel arch along with two stone statue alcoves. Recent excavations here have brought to light relics over 1,700 years old including a 2nd century fortlet.
Many historical features in the church, all well displayed.In the graveyard is a Viking Hog-back gravestone..shaped to imitate a little house.. Another stone is a tall cross with a very crude human figure, thought to be St Lawrence.
The area is one where the Solway views and sunsets combine with the panorama of the Cumbria mountains.
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