Askham Cumbria The Lake District.

Askham village south of Penrith Cumbria

Askham

(See also Lowther, Lowther Castle and Moor Divock)

A mile of green and trees decorate the roadway and define the village of Askham. Whitewashed cottages inhabit the landscape where ancient man once lived. Evidence for early habitation-hut circles and ancient remains still exists at nearby Skirsgill Hill and Moor Divock.

The village name was, at first, Ascum, or Ascom, deriving from 'home of Aske'. Sir Robert Aske, an influential man during Henry VIII's time, may have descended from the same family. Other scholars think the name comes from the Saxon 'esc', a hazelnut, or the Old Latin word 'ascum', meaning a boat.

There are two pubs in Askham. One, the 17^th century Queen's Head, retains many of its original features, including wooden beams. The 18^th century Punch Bowl on the village green is furnished with an antique settle, Chippendale dining chairs, and rushwork ladder-back seats. Originally part of a smallholding pig farm and orchard, the Punch Bowl became a watering hole for travellers on the way to the village of Mardale (now under the waters of Haweswater Reservoir). Both inns welcome travellers with warming fires.

Askham Hall, at the lower end of the village, was a 14^th century pele tower and the home of the Sandford family for 300 years. They converted it into an Elizabethan mansion in 1574. We know this because of the inscription over the gate:

"Thomas Sandford, esquire,
For this paid meat and hyre,
The year of our Saviour
XV hundrethe seventy-four."

In 1724 Askham became part of the Lowther estate when it was taken over by the Earl of Lonsdale.

A short distance away from the village and huddled under the cliffs beside the river is St Peter's Church, a grade II listed building. The church, built in 1832 by Sir Robert Smirke and funded by the Earl of Lonsdale, took the place of a 1240 building dedicated to St Kentigern. The old church had two bells, a large aisle, and a monument to Sir William de Sandford (died 1416). A 16^th century south transept still remaining was a burial chapel for Askham Hall's family, the Sandfords. Bright and plain inside, the church windows have leaded diamond-shaped windowpanes. In the church is a 17^th century font.

Askham, by the River Lowther, lies in the Lowther Estate and is overlooked by the ruins of Lowther Castle, which became too expensive to keep up and was abandoned. It still reflects its past as an estate village.

Location Map of Askham
Askham is 4 miles south of Penrith.

Photos courtesy of Graeme Dougal

Old Askham Early 1800s

Photos courtesy of Karen Flowers

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