A Guide to Living in Cumbria

Where is Cumbria?

Cumbria is located in the north of England and is bordered by Scotland to the north and west, Northumberland to the east, and Lancashire to the south. It covers an area of over three thousand square miles, making it one of the largest counties in England.

Areas in Cumbria

There are many different areas in Cumbria that prospective home buyers might be interested in. The coastal towns such as Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow-in-Furness offer stunning views of the sea as well as a range of activities for those who love being outdoors.

 If you’re looking for a more rural lifestyle, there are plenty of villages throughout the county with rolling hills and picturesque scenery.

 And finally, if you’re looking for somewhere with a bit of both, the Lake District is perfect – it has beautiful lakes and mountains as well as lively towns and villages.

Some of the more popular areas include:

Carlisle – a historic city with a cathedral and castle, Carlisle is a lively and popular area with plenty of shops and restaurants. It is also close to the Lake District.

Kendal – lying on the edge of the Lake District, Kendal is a charming town with independent shops and a range of pubs and restaurants.

Ulverston – a charming town in the Furness Peninsula, Ulverston is home to the world’s largest Laurel Festival.

Barrow-in-Furness – located near the Lake District, Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town with a shipyard and steelworks. It has plenty of pubs and restaurants and is also home to the Lakeside Holiday Park.

Keswick – located in the heart of the Lake District, Keswick is a popular tourist destination with activities such as hiking and climbing available nearby

Penrith – a historic town with plenty of independent shops and restaurants, Penrith has an impressive castle and beautiful countryside nearby. Located just to the northwest of Kendal, Penrith has great transport links throughout Cumbria and beyond via its railway station so is an excellent choice for commuters

Whitehaven – a port town on the coast of Cumbria, Whitehaven has excellent transport links and is very popular with tourists visiting nearby attractions such as Workington’s beach. There are also plenty of shops in the centre so it makes an excellent choice for prospective homebuyers looking to set up their own business or just wanting somewhere to go shopping.

Universities in Cumbria

Cumbria is home to The University of Cumbria which has both campuses in Carlisle and Lancaster and has a reputation for being a very friendly and welcoming university. It’s also one of the smaller universities in the UK with around 7000 students, so it’s perfect for those who want to get to know their lecturers and fellow students well.

Top Schools in Cumbria

Cumbria is home to some excellent schools which have been recognised both nationally and internationally, including:

Keswick School – an independent boarding school located in the Lake District National Park, the Keswick School has a stunning location and is regularly ranked as one of the best schools in the country;

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School – a selective grammar school located in Penrith, which is consistently ranked as one of the top state schools in England; and

Barrow-in-Furness Girls’ High School – a comprehensive school that has been awarded an “outstanding” rating by Ofsted.

St Bees School – an independent co-educational boarding school located on the coast of Cumbria, which is regularly listed as one of the best schools in England.

Population of Cumbria

The population of Cumbria was estimated at just under half a million people as of 2019, making it one of the smaller counties in the UK.