The village of Morland in the Eden Valley is situated five miles west of Appleby and eight miles south-east of Penrith. To many it is a picture postcard village.
In the middle ages it was the third largest settlement in Westmorland. Traces of old houses can still be seen in the field between the church and the Powdonnet Spring at the bottom of the hill on the road to Cliburn. The village was certainly important enough for Edward I. to stay the night here in 1292 on his way to Scotland.
Morland's St Laurence's church has the only 11th century Saxon tower in Cumbria still in use today...worth visiting if only for that reason. Its the two lower storeys that date from the 11th century...the upper storeys from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Inside is a beautifully carved coffin lid, with leaves growing from the stem of its cross, which looks little older that the day it was carved nearly 700 years ago. The foot has a 17th century bowl and a carved pyramid cover as old as itself, but its stem and base are mediaeval, as is some ironwork on the north door. Some old timbers are in the roofs, and from the 17th century come the altar rails, some panelling in the aisles, a chest, and a poor box dated 1648. The splendid carved oak in the chancel is the work of a man who lived before America was known in Europe, a man with a rare sense of humour for his 22 heads are as quaint as anything seen in the county...kings, queens, bishops, monks, angels, patriachs, and a demon in their midst.
In 1362 the village obtained a grant to hold a weekly market, together with an annual fair, long discontinued. However a house called Little Appleby at the end of Bell Lane is said to be so called because Appleby Fair was held there in 1598 when plague struck Appleby. In addition the village was an important coaching centre.
Morland Beck and the adjacent mill race run beside Water Street. The beck is crossed by a ford and a picturesque white footbridge to Lowergate. The later Force (or Waterfall) Bridge, also now crosses the beck by the Crown Inn in the Square. Across the bridge can be seen the old Morland Hall, now Hall Farm, probably the oldest house in the village. The archway to the farmyard is dated 1709. In the yard can be seen a semi-circular horse engine house, or gincase, where horses used to power a primitive threshing machine.
Look for several old lime kilns which can be seen hereabouts.
One lane here is where to celebrate the defeat of the Armada, the churchwardens ordered the founding of a new church bell.
There is an abundance of wildlife in this area, along with red squirrels and deer.
One of the most delightful houses in the district is Newby hall, now a farmhouse, standing above the village of Newby...it has well-kept lawns and a flagged pathway through a colourful garden that leads to the main door. Above, set in a red sandstone panel is the much-weathered 17th century coat of arms of the Newison family and on a lintel are initials and the date 1685. The Hall between two wings has its original arched fireplace, nine feet wide.
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