Thornthwaite is a village at the head of the Bassenthwaite Lake at the foot of Whinlatter Pass to Lorton...on the northern fringe of Thornthwaite Forest, in the parish of Thornthwaite cum Braithwaite.
The Mother Church of the parish is St Mary's, built in 1746 close to the site of an earlier church. It stands amidst pastoral scenery. The main door is reached through an archway of yew trees. There are many old tombstones worth investigating. Possibly the most prominent landmark is the white-washed Bishop Rock. The legend goes that in the year 1783, the newly appointed Bishop of Derry was travelling to Whitehaven on his way to Ireland. He stopped at the Swan in Thornthwaite and, whilst having a few drinks, bet his new found friends that he could ride his pony to the top of 'Bark' and 'Lords Seat'. He reached the top alright, but the pony stumbled, killing the rider. He was buried at the foot of the scree at the rock known as 'The Clerk'. The landlord of the Inn had the rock white-washed, and in fact it is still done annually by the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team. The payment for this service until comparatively recently was a shilling and a quart of ale!
Nearby is a small hamlet - Seldom Seen (the origins of the name are lost in history, but one doesn't have to think too hard as to how it got its name). This small hamlet is 'dominated' by the roaring chapel beck which crashes over the large boulders. In the past the power of the water was harnessed and producing enough energy for working the Rachel Mine, as well as driving the plant at the Saw Mill.
Other than farms, the lead mine used to be the chief source of employment in the area, with miners being housed at Seldom Seen.
There is a visitor centre on Whinlatter Pass. Also look for the Thornthwaite Gallery which is an attractively converted 18th century barn, and which deals in fine arts.
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