Aspatria

Aspatria
St Kentigern's Church
Aspatria Location in Allerdale Show map of the former Allerdale Borough Aspatria Location within Cumbria Show map of Cumbria
Population	2,834 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference	NY145417
Civil parish	Aspatria
Unitary authority	Cumberland
Ceremonial county	Cumbria
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WIGTON
Postcode district	CA7
Dialling code	016973
Police	Cumbria
Fire	Cumbria
Ambulance	North West
UK Parliament	Penrith and Solway
List of places UK England Cumbria 54°45′48″N 3°19′41″W / 54.7633°N 3.3281°W / 54.7633; -3.3281

Aspatria /əsˈpeɪtriə/^[2] is a town and civil parish in Cumberland, Cumbria, England. The town rests on the north side of the Ellen Valley, overlooking a panoramic view of the countryside, with Skiddaw to the South and the Solway Firth to the North. Its developments are aligned approximately east–west along the A596 Carlisle to Workington road and these extend to approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) in length. It lies about 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Maryport, a similar distance to the Southwest of Wigton, about 9 miles (14 km) north of Cockermouth and 5 miles (8.0 km) from the coast and Allonby. It comprises the townships of Aspatria and Brayton, Hayton and Mealo, and Oughterside and Allerby, the united area being 8,345 acres (3,377 ha); while the town takes up an area of 1,600 acres (647 ha). In earlier days a Roman road leading from "Old Carlisle" to Ellenborough passed through the hamlet.

The population has greatly increased since the mid-19th century. In 1801, the village comprised 98 dwellings with a population of 321. By 1851, there were 236 family entities, comprising 1,123 residents; by 1871, the numbers had increased to 1,778; and twenty years later stood at 2,714. By the start of the 20th century, the population had risen to 2,885; twenty years later it peaked at 3,521. Although the population slumped in the 1930s to 3,189, it recovered to 3,500, in 1951; and by 1981, the population appeared stable at 2,745. It is served by Aspatria railway station. Aspatria is located on the fringe of the English Lake District.

The parish church of St Kentigern was completed in 1848. Fragments of masonry and crosses from earlier structures on the same site are preserved there.