John Wilkinson – Lindale
Lindale lies in what was known after the Norman Conquest as ‘Lancashire over the Sands’.
This remote and isolated part of Lancashire (now Cumbria) is an area bounded on the east by the Winster Valley, on the south by Morecambe Bay and on the west by the Duddon Valley.
Generally, this whole area is known as the Cartmel Peninsula.
Lindale is close to the River Winster on the old Lancashire and Westmorland border.
Lindale, which in its early days must have been a most secluded place, gradually gained greater importance in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries during the enclosure of the commons, when roads were built across the flatter parts of the area.
St Paul’s church, along with the local pub, The Royal Oak, are situated at the top of the hill overlooking Lindale.
The church was designed by the Kendal architect, George Webster (1797-1864).
It is believed Lindale has had a place of worship in the village since 1577.
George Fox, the Quaker preacher (responsible for what became the Society of Friends), visited Lindale Chapel, described in his journal, during the famous walk he undertook in May and June 1652 from Pendle Hill in Lancashire.
On Sunday afternoon of June 20th 1652, after preaching in the village of Staveley, Fox walked to Lindale, entered the chapel where a service was in progress, and stated, ‘When the priest had done, I spoke to him and the people’.
Fox writes in his journal about the people of Lindale that: ‘There were great opposers but they after became convinced’.
Unfortunately, due to dwindling congregation numbers and increased maintenance costs, the church has had to close.
It held its final service on 25th January 2019. Rev. George Wilson took the last service.
Lindale was the home of John Wilkinson, the famous ironmaster who lived at Wilson House. He later lived at Castle Head, just to the south-east of the village, overlooking the estuary of the River Kent.
Known as “Iron Mad” Wilkinson, he was one of Britain’s pioneering ironmakers.
He spent his early years making experiments with iron at his father’s works in nearby Backbarrow.
These works had the first Cumbria furnace of orthodox design
John Wilkinson is buried in St Paul’s church, in an unmarked grave; it was his fifth burial!
Firstly, his coffin became lost on the sands of Morecambe Bay but was subsequently recovered.
Secondly, an attempt to temporarily lay him to rest at Castlehead, his former home, as a larger iron coffin was made – the original one was too small.
Thirdly, the gravediggers hit the hard rock, so the grave was too shallow, and he was later buried deeper.
Castlehead subsequently changed hands, and the new owners objected to the grave and the memorial above it.
Consequently, the memorial (below) now stands on the Lindale junction to Grange-over-Sands, and John Wilkinson‘s final resting place was in the village churchyard.
After his death in 1808, Wilkinson had originally been buried in an iron coffin in the grounds of Castle Head, as he had wished.
Over the following years, his coffin was moved several times before finally coming to rest in Lindale churchyard.
A tall cast-iron obelisk near the centre of Lindale has had a similarly eventful history.
It was removed from the gardens of Castle Head in 1863 and moved to several locations, including the River Winster.
After being re-erected near the village, it was badly damaged by lightning.
A national appeal later raised funds for repairs, and today the obelisk includes a gold bust of Wilkinson along with a long inscription describing his remarkable life.
The Vicarage at Lindale is interesting, not only for its charming appearance but also because it is by a long way the oldest of the Vicarages in the area.
It stands at the top of the steep slope leading down to the church.
Finally, and unusually, for a village of this size, there are three large car showrooms.
- Hadwins Volkswagen
- Lake District Audi
- Lloyd South Lakes MINI
If you are looking for a pet-friendly Grange-over-Sands Holiday Cottages near Lindale, ring 07785944194 or enquire here.
How to Book Kents Bank Holiday cottage in Grange-over-Sands
Booking Kents Bank Holiday Cottage is quick and simple. Just visit our website at kentsbankholiday.co.uk or give us a call at 07785944194. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect dates for your stay.
Our friendly team makes the whole process easy, so you can focus on your relaxing holiday near Lindale, and the Lake District.