NEWLANDS, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"NEWLANDS, a chapelry in the parish of Crosthwaite, ward of Allerdale-above-Derwent, county Cumberland, 4 miles S.W. of Keswick, its post town. It is situated under Hindscar, near Derwentwater, and contains the hamlet of Little Keswick, or Little Town, which is situated so close under the mountain that the solar rays are intercepted from it between November and February. The houses are few in number and much scattered. There are lead and copper mines. The latter were formerly extremely valuable, and from the great proportion of gold and silver they contained, were claimed as royal property in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who instituted a suit at law against the Earl of Northumberland, on whose lordship they were discovered, which was decided in favour of the crown. The original mines were destroyed during the civil wars of Charles I., and the ruins of smelting-houses and other ancient works may still be traced on the banks of the river Bure. The mines having since been reopened, are now comparatively unproductive, but vast quantities of lead ore are obtained in the neighbourhood. There are also quarries of fine slate for roofing. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Carlisle, value £90, in the patronage of the Vicar of Crosthwaite. The church was rebuilt in 1843. There is a small school adjoining the church. In the village is a place of worship for Wesleyans. A fair is held on the first Friday in September for sheep."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]