The village of Staveley lies midway between Kendal and Windermere, nestling at the foot of the Kentmere Valley.
Staveley is a large and to many people,attractive village of 700 years, retaining much of its heritage.
At one time it was a minor market centre with a charter granted in 1329, but Kendal usurped its trade. Later the village became a focal point for the bobbin industry with five mills in the Kent and Gowan valleys, though these have gradually closed over the years, though wood turning and paper making still survives.
The Burne-Jones window is the great possesion of the long and handsome chancel in the 19th century church. It shows the Crucifixion and the Ascension with angels grouped on a starry background. Only the noble tower of the 15th century church remains, a magnificent monument to its builders, its west window set between lovely niches.Other relics are a mediaeval font, a 17th century chest, and old glass fragments of heraldry and a half figure of a man.
It was Sir William de Thweng who was originally granted the market charter. He also then held a fair on the 17th, 18th and 19th of October each year. Sir William also founded the chapel of St Margaret, as mentioned above.
In the centre of the village stands the rather imposing late Victorian building 'The Abbey' built originally to serve as a hotel when the railway was brought through Staveley to Windermere. These days it is a residential home for the elderly.
In the past it was bobbins that really made Staveley's fortune. All the ingredients were available...water power, technical skill, wood and of course business knowledge. After 1819 the Kendal-Lancaster canal made transport to the large Lancashire mills much easier, and 'King Cotton' made Britain and Staveley rich, with the coming of the railway in 1847 speeding up the process.
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