IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Market Place, COCKERMOUTH, CA13 9NF

Grade II Listed early 19th century house with Victorian shop fronts. In 1979 planning granted "listed building consent for demolition" of both 33 and 35, what was to be demolished is not clear. No. 33 (Jacy's) had change of use for use of upper floors to residential accommodation granted in 1998. Jacy's was established in 2005 but 33 was last sold in 2008 so I'm not sure if they have been here from the start. In 2010 they had approval for new shop frontage to replace existing, including internal alterations and change of use of living areas to retail and office/storage, and it appears to have been empty for a while that year presumably whilst the works were carried out. No. 35, was previously Rootz who are now in Main Street. Planning was granted in 1998 for conversion of the maisonette above the shop to two flats. In 2010 a change of use was granted to Class A3 (coffee bar/eatery/wine bar) but as far I can tell it has been empty since then.

Heading ENE over the Cocker River It burst its banks here in November, 2009

Heading north-east

Percy House Gallery opened in 2002. It is situated in a historic 14th century building which has been hidden from public view for over two decades. Its unique features include a famous Tudor ceiling, fire places and plaster work which make it the ideal setting for the unusual arts and crafts on display. The downstairs gallery consists of four rooms each with its unique character. The oak beams have been dated to 1390 and the original flagstone floor still remains. The upstairs with its Tudor ceiling dated 1598, was the home of the Percy baliff.

Percy House was first thought to have been built in 1598 by Henry Percy, the 9th Earl of Northumberland, as a home for the Percy baliff. One of the upstairs rooms has a carved plaster ceiling with the date 1598. Above the fireplace are the arms of the Earl with his motto 'Esperance en Dieu' (Hope in God). However a study of the tree rings in the roof timbers by English Heritage researchers have shown the building to be far earlier, dating to 1390. Percy House Gallery was opened in 2002 and hosts work by Cumbrian and British artists ranging from jewellery and textiles to ceramics, paintings and photographs.

Grade II Listed house from the first half of the 16th century. Originally a 3-room, cross- passage plan with mid 19th century alterations, it was refurbished and extended in 1958. Dendrochronology on roof timbers has dated the timbers to 1390 suggesting a late 14th or early 15th century date for the building. A major refurbishment in 1598 probably for the Percy family bailiff, among other fashionable features, installed an ornate plaster ceiling with a Tudor rose and lover’s knot with the initials AM. Also depicted are various hunting animals and birds. Above the fireplace are the arms of the Earl surrounded by a garter with the Percy motto ‘Esperance en Dieu’ (Hope in God). The three shop fronts are mid 19th century (shown in an 1890 photo) and presumably when it was converted to three shops. The windows at that time were three single 28 pane bows without the side lintel support beams down to ground level. Planning files show internal repairs & alterations in 1990 and then in 1999 and 2001 change of use from retail outlets and internal alterations to form cafe, restaurant and art gallery, presumably when Percy House Gallery moved in.

Looking WNW - let's have a closer look at that lovely scooter Image]

Old keys and pre-decimal coins are set into the old counter top here at JB Banks and Son Ltd. You can take a step back in time in this traditional hardware shop established in 1836. New and second hand tools can still be bought here and you can see all sorts of interesting old tools and equipment in their free museum.

JB Banks and Son Ltd is a traditional hardware shop and museum. You can still buy new and second hand tools or browse their interesting free museum. It has a large collection of old keys and locks. Inside it is like stepping back in time.

JB Banks and Son Ltd was established in 1836 as a traditional hardware shop in Cockermouth. You can still buy new and second hand tools there but it also has a free museum. It is like stepping back into the past. Here are a collection of old boots and shoes and shoe plates upstairs in their museum.