All Saints Church, Renwick Penrith
01768 896130

A church has stood here for at least 750 years, and probably much longer - the present building, consisting of chancel, nave, and bell-gable with two bells, being perhaps the fourth.
It was designed by the incumbent John Watson, and built at the expense of the local inhabitants in 1845, when the village was thronged with miners (who were exploiting the coal seams on Renwick Fell), publicans, and tradesmen.
Pevsner dates the double pulpit (for preacher and parish clerk) to 1735. The bell seen in front of the pulpit is mediaeval - perhaps it was rung by James of Lancaster, an excommunicated monk, who in 1362 had "left his cloister and lived wantonly in Renwick". Church registers date from 1649.
Now Renwick, as in 1250, is a home for farmers raising sheep and cattle, and others who value the tranquillity of this unspoilt corner of England. Always beautiful, Renwick has not always been tranquil. The Romans built a road through here to supply their frontier garrisons; and Norsemen settled here too. The wars Edward I waged with Scotland (circa 1300) triggered 300 years of unrest. In 1642/51 Renwick men fell for King Charles at Rowton Heath, Wigan and Worcester. Legend holds that John Tallantire, perhaps about 1610, slew a cockatrice here and won perpetual exemption from tithes.
Our history is richly recorded in the archives of Queen's College, Oxford,  founded in 1341 by Robert of Eaglesfield, a Cumbrian who endowed his foundation with the manor of Renwick, and also in episcopal registers from the 13th century. The results of recent research are on display in the church.

St Oswald’s Church Kirkoswald Penrith
(01768) 898688

This is a lovely medieval church, built probably round about 1130, with rounded Norman arches in the nave; added to in the sixteenth century (the porch), and repaired and rebuilt in the nineteenth (the belfry tower on the hill).

Its site outside the village is a puzzle, but may be connected with the well or with the presence of The College, a community for training priests, dissolved by Henry VIII in 1547. The flagstone path to the church, known as the Priest's Walk, remains as the approach to the church. Be aware it is irregular underfoot, and sometimes slippery!

The church is open to the public during daylight hours from Easter to October. The small congregation try hard to preserve and improve the fabric of the church, to look after the beautiful churchyard, and to advance the cause of Christianity in this area.

The Bell-tower was originally built in the eighteenth century because a bell from the church itself would not be heard in the village; it was re-built in the nineteenth century. The well (outside) at the west end of the church is well worth a look; it is a possible reason for the siting of the church, and bears a plaque to the memory of the King Oswald (604-642), patron saint of church and village.

Look out for: the fine east window; the poppyheads (carvings at the ends of pews); the medieval stone carvings at the base of the west window; the Fetherstonhaugh memorials in the chancel; the royal coat of arms on the wall above the font.

Kirkoswald, CA10 1DQ
(01768) 870410
crowninnkirkoswald.co.uk

Friendly village pub situated in the main street which is well supported by its locals. A pool table is to be found upstairs. A traditional coal fire helps create a good atmosphere on cold winter nights Visitors travel from some distance f...

The Square, Kirkoswald, CA10 1DQ
(01768) 898284
fetherston-arms.co.uk

The Fethers is situated in the centre of this historic village. Extensive alterations and the friendly enthusiasm of the family owners have helped convert this into a truly outstanding pub. The Fethers has a deservedly excellent reputation...