Farlam – Discover Cultural and Industrial History

Farlam is a destination for travellers who want to combine their stay with ecclesiastical, country-house and industrial history. Particularly notable are St Thomas a Becket, the historic works at Tindale and the traces of early railway engineering. Those looking for holiday accommodation in Farlam can therefore choose the village as a base for a trip focused on historical discoveries.

St Thomas a Becket and the Churchyard

An important example of Farlam’s architectural history is St Thomas a Becket. The church was built in 1860 to a design by Anthony Salvin, replacing an earlier church dating from 1169. Its location gives a visit a special setting: St Thomas a Becket stands on a hilltop on the descending slopes of the Pennines.

The churchyard also preserves a remarkable memorial. It contains a monument to Joseph Bell, the chief engineer of the Titanic. A key for St Thomas a Becket is available by prior arrangement; bear this requirement in mind when planning your cultural and historical stay.

Industrial History in Tindale and Roachburn

The historical profile extends beyond ecclesiastical architecture. The 19th-century zinc works in Tindale were the only ones of their kind in northern England and were among the first to be built in Great Britain. The zinc works form part of a Scheduled Monument that extends into the parish of Farlam.

Another distinctive feature is the 20th-century Fume Works. It is the only facility of its kind in England known to retain substantial structural remains in situ. Tindale therefore offers an insight into an industrial past revealed not only through dates but also through surviving physical traces.

Roachburn is also part of this historical theme. Roachburn Colliery is classified as an industrial site associated with the mining industry and designated as a Scheduled Monument. Roachburn was a colliery from the 1860s until 1912. For visitors interested in mining and technological history, this site adds another aspect to the exploration of the works at Tindale.

Country House and Railway Heritage

Farlam Hall Country House Hotel combines several historic building phases. The core probably dates from the mid-18th century and stands on the site of an earlier building. The house was extended around 1824 and further enlarged and altered for the Thompson family around 1860.

The Great Battery adds an element of railway history. It is an impressive early-19th-century railway embankment in private ownership. The railway line from Hallbankgate to Midgeholme ran along it. This was the first standard-gauge railway in the country not built by Stephenson to use wrought-iron rails.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for holiday accommodation in Farlam, it is worth first deciding on your personal focus. If you prefer churches, country houses and historic building phases, St Thomas a Becket and Farlam Hall provide the right thematic setting. Those more interested in mining, metalworking and railway engineering can include Tindale, Roachburn and the Great Battery in their travel plans.

For further travel planning, you can also visit the pages on Roose, Ivegill, Kirkoswald, Penrith, Ambleside, Allerdale District, Calthwaite and Brampton.

For the broader travel overview: Cumbria.