ROCKCLIFF, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"ROCKCLIFF, a parish in the ward and county of Cumberland, 4½ miles N.W. of Carlisle, its post town. It is a station on the Carlisle section of the Caledonian railway. The parish includes the townships of Churchtown and Rockcliffe Castle, and the small village of Rockcliffe, situated to the E. of Port Carlisle. It is bounded on the N. by the river Esk, on the N.W. by the Solway Frith, and on the S.W. by the navigable river Eden. It anciently belonged to the Ratcliffes, from whom it takes its name, and subsequently to the Dacro and Strong families. Near the seashore is a mineral spring, the scum on which turns paper to a golden colour. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Carlisle, value £100, in the patronage of the dean and chapter. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, has a spired tower, and was rebuilt in 1848. The parochial charities produce about £3 per annum. The principal residences are Rockcliffe Hall and Castletown House, near which are the remains of the Dacres' old castle. The Earl of Lonsdale is lord of the manor." "CASTLE-TOWN-QUARTER, a township in the parish of Rockcliff, in the ward and county of Cumberland, 5 miles to the N.W. of Carlisle. It is situated on the banks of the river Eden, close to the Caledonian railway, on which Rockliff is a station." "CHURCHTOWN QUARTER, a township in the parish of Rockcliff, Cumberland ward, in the county of Cumberland. Here is a parochial school for boys."

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