Witherslack

Witherslack

Witherslack is an ancient village with records traceable back to the 12th century. The name Witherslack is derived from the Norse meaning ‘wooded valley’.

In early times, the Manor of Witherslack was part of the Barony of Kendal.

Until 1338, it was held by the Lancaster family and by the Harrington family until 1408. Later, in the 15th Century, the Manor was granted to Sir Thomas Broughton, who was discredited at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

During the Battle of Bosworth, Thomas Stanley and his men switched their allegiance from Richard III to fight on behalf of Henry Tudor, a decisive move which saw the death of Richard on the battlefield and ultimately led to Henry being crowned king.

Backing the winning side paid off, with Thomas being named Earl of Derby and the family acquiring the Witherslack Estate, which is now South Cumbria in 1487.

This tranquil, but scattered rural village sits under the limestone hill known as Yewbarrow near Grange-over-Sands. The village is also on the banks of the River Winster, which flows out into Morecambe Bay.

With the village being so scattered, it is generally accepted that the local pub, The Derby Arms, and the Community Shop next door are at the heart of the village.

The Derby Arms: A Historic Pub in Witherslack

The Derby Arms is thought to have started in the early 1800s and was originally a coaching inn. It was named after Thomas Stanley, the Earl of Derby, who owned land in the area.

The pub sits at the heart of Witherslack village, next to the Community Shop, and is a popular spot for both locals and visitors to the Lake District.

Back in the coaching inn days, travellers would stop at The Derby Arms to rest, eat a meal, and get fresh horses for their journey.

These inns were important stops along busy routes before trains changed how people travelled across England.

The pub gave travellers a warm place to stay while exploring the Witherslack countryside and the surrounding areas near Grange-over-Sands.

Having the pub named after the Earl of Derby showed how important the Stanley family was to the region. The family owned Witherslack Estate and later built Witherslack Hall in 1875.

Naming the inn after them gave it respect in the community and showed the family’s connection to village life.

Today, The Derby Arms remains a key part of Witherslack. Visitors staying at holiday cottages near Grange-over-Sands, like Lothlorien Holiday Cottage, often stop by for a meal or drink after walking the quiet footpaths or cycling the country roads around the village. The pub connects modern visitors to centuries of local history and hospitality in this peaceful corner of South Cumbria.

Witherslack Hall

In 1487, the manor of Witherslack was made over to Thomas Stanley, the 1^st Earl of Derby. The Stanley family does not appear to have lived in Witherslack until about 1875, when they moved to the newly built Witherslack Hall.

The family later moved to the smaller Halecat House.

Today, Witherslack Hall is now a school providing specialist education and care for young people with special educational needs, managed by the witherslackgroup.

The family later moved to the smaller Halecat House.

St Mary’s Chapel stood near Witherslack Hall but was in a ruinous state in 1664, according to the will of John Barwick.

John Barwick, the village’s “pious benefactor”, was born in Witherslack in 1612. He was one of five sons, and his parents, George and Jane (nee Barrow), owned a small farm – probably Askew Green.

John, along with his brother Peter, went to the local Grammar schools and then to Sedbergh prior to attending Cambridge University.

Following his time at St John’s College, Cambridge, he was offered the Bishopric of Carlisle, which he refused. He did, though, accept the Deanery of Durham and later that of St Paul’s in London.

Dean Barwick died of consumption (Tuberculosis) in 1664 at the age of 52 and was buried in St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where a tablet was erected in his memory. There is also a tablet from Witherslack Church in his memory.

The village was originally part of the Parish of Beetham, which lies across the estuary.

John Barwick bequeathed monies for repairs to the old chapel and a new burial ground, as previously the dead had to be carried on a dangerous journey across the sands of Morecambe Bay to the mother church at Beetham for burial.

St Paul’s church was built on land donated by the Earl of Derby and consecrated by the Bishop of Chester in 1671.

The bequest left enough money to build St Paul’s Church, with enough money left to build the Dean Barwick Primary School and the master’s house.

Occupations listed in 1786 provide a glimpse of everyday life in 18th-century Witherslack. There was a turner, wright, carpenter, glazier, waller, six charcoal burners, and four hoopmakers.

Three blacksmiths cared for 352 horses, with some using old packhorse routes between Ulverston and Kendal.

Millers used the water mill for grinding oats and wheat, and barley for the maltsters to brew ale, and there were 70 orchards nearby to harvest.

Farmers provided milk, butter and cheese, and hides for the tanner to make leather for the cordwainer, clogger, and eight shoemakers.

Fat was made into tallow for candles used by the candle-box maker.

Sheep provided mutton and wool for four weavers to make cloth for the tailor. The woodcutter cut willows for the basket-maker and timber for fuel, and peat was dug from the turbaries on the nearby moss.

Today, the village provides an excellent area for walking and cycling, and for anyone looking to go horse riding in the Lake District, the Witherslack Hall Equestrian Centre is nearby.

In general, the roads are quiet and the footpaths varied.

If you are looking for a Grange-over-Sands holiday cottage with easy access to Witherslack, ring  07785944194 or enquire here.