Hawkshead & Monk Coniston with Skelwith

Township in Hawkshead parish, Lonsdale hundred, Lancashire North of the Sands. Divided 1894 between newly-created CPs of Coniston, Hawkshead and Skelwith.

Acreage:

10,429 acres [4,221 ha] in four divisions: Hawkshead (1,973 acres [798 ha]); Field Head (2,520 acres [1,020 ha]); Monk Coniston (3,109 acres [1,258 ha]); and Skelwith (2,828 acres [1,144 ha]). Common land at Hawkshead (1,852 acres [749 ha]) and Skelwith (725 acres [293 ha]) enclosed 1862.

Population:

rising from 920 in 1801 to peak of 1,362 in 1841, then in range 1,100-1,250 for remainder of 19th century; stood at 1,224 in 1891 (last census year before creation of new CPs).

Landownership:

manor of Hawkshead granted to Furness Abbey c. 1160 and descended with abbey’s estates after Dissolution (see Barrow in Furness).

Economy:

livestock farming and woodland industries since medieval period. Coppice woodland and charcoal burning with associated activities (e.g. tanning: tanyard at Castle, 1840s). Slate quarrying, 17th-20th century; on large scale at Hodge Close Quarry from 19th century to 1960s; Brathay Quarry continues in use. Iron forge recorded 1675, perhaps the bloomery site near Blelham Tarn. Flax mill at Thursgill by 1789; converted to bobbin mill c.1800; had closed by 1910. Hawkshead gained charter for weekly market and fairs 1606; described by Sir Daniel Fleming 1675 as ‘a little market for the sale of provisions, wooll and yarne’; wool market extinct by 1900. Tourism of growing importance since 19th century, Hawkshead becoming one of Lake District’s main tourist destinations by late 20th century.

Places of worship:

chapel of ease in Dalton parish recorded c.1200; said to have gained parochial status 1578 (though registers begin 1568); parish church of St Michael dates largely from 16th and 17th century (date stones of 1578); restored 1875-6. Holy Trinity Church at Brathay, Skelwith, consecrated 1836. Baptist chapel at Hawkshead Hill, converted from cottage 1709 for congregation established 1678; congregation had dwindled to extinction by 1833 but revived c.1876 when chapel renovated; still in use. Hawkshead Methodist Church originated as Union Chapel, converted from cottage 1862; still in use.

Schools and other institutions:

Hawkshead Grammar School founded by Edwin Sandys, archbishop of York, 1585; rebuilt 1675; closed 1909 (building now a museum); library attached to school founded 1669, augmented 1717. National school for girls recorded 1836. New school built 1863 (and infant school built 1873); replaced by Hawkshead Esthwaite County Primary School on new site on edge of village by 1980s. Brathay District CE School, Skelwith Bridge, opened c.1863; closed c.1970; became village hall (Skelwith Community Hall). Town hall or market hall built 1790 on site of former shambles; enlarged 1887. Reading room at Outgate, built 1906; converted to housing early 21st century.