The Parish of Culgaith
Bounded on the West by the River Eden, to the North by Ousby and Langwathby, the South by Crowdundle Beck and on the East by Cross Fell. The Parish is attractively and rurally located on the Cumbrian East Fellside and parts of it are within the North Pennine – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Each of the 4 communities has its own discrete character and range of services and facilities. Many residents of the Parish commute to jobs in various locations within and beyond Cumbria – the majority working in and around Penrith. A number of small businesses operate in the Parish, primarily home based. Public transport facilities are limited to the services provided by the voluntary Fellrunner Village Bus Company. The nearest railway station is in the neighbouring village of Langwathby, which also has a shop and Post Office.
Use the boxes below to reveal more information about each community.
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Culgaith
Culgaith is the largest village and includes:
- All Saints Church.
- Culgaith Victoria Institute.
- Culgaith Primary School
- Recreation Ground with children’s play facilities.
- The Tarn Village Green comprised of a 3 ¾ acre field area and a further ¼ acre roadside area.
- The Flodder Village Green of ¼ acre
- The Pinfold
- The Black Swan Inn
- A number of home-based businesses including a number linked to the tourist industry.
- A number of farms.
- A Recycling Centre.
Culgaith does not have a shop or Post Office, but is served by a weekly visit by a mobile Post Office service.
Skirwith
Skirwith is the second largest community and includes:
- St John the Evangelist Church
- Skirwith Village Hall
- A large Village green of some 5 ½ acres and associated children’s play facilities.
- A number of home-based businesses including a number linked to the tourist industry.
- A number of farms.
- A Recycling Centre.
Skirwith was designated a conservation area in 2002. The former Sun Inn closed some years ago and there is no shop or Post Office.
Blencarn
Blencarn is the third largest community and includes:
- Blencarn and Kirkland Village Hall
- A large village green of some 2 ½ acres.
- Children’s play facilities.
- A number of farms.
- A Recycling Centre.
- A man-made Fly-Fishing Lake.
- ‘The Rigg’ of some 33 acres over which commoners exercise grazing rights.
- A number of home-based businesses.
Blencarn has no shop or services.
Kirkland
Kirkland is a small hamlet community and includes:
- St Lawrence’s Church
- A Village Green of some 1 ½ acres
- A number of farms
- A number of home-based businesses some serving the tourist industry.
The Parish also includes Skirwith, Kirkland and Blencarn Fells and Cringle and Stubmire Moors in all totalling some 7,000 acres of common land.
The Parish is divided into three electoral wards – Culgaith Ward with 5 Councillors, Skirwith Ward with 2 Councillors and Blencarn and Kirkland Ward with 3 Councillors.
Welcome to the website of Culgaith Parish Council – a valuable resource of information to all residents and the wider community.
We hope this site will be a two-way channel of advice, assistance and information between the Council and those who read its pages.
For any further information – general or specific – please contact our Parish Clerk.