Westlinton

Township in Kirklinton parish, Eskdale ward, Cumberland.

Acreage:

3,420 acres [1,384 ha]. Commons enclosed 1810.

Population:

rising from 519 in 1801 to peak of 623 in 1821; then downward drift to 402 in 1901 and 359 in 2001.

Landownership:

held by Boyvills of Kirklinton barony from 12th century to 15th, passing by marriage of Boyvill heiress to Alexander Highmore of Harby Brow; sold, probably by Francis Highmore (d. 1610), to Blencowe family; later held by earls of Lonsdale.

Economy:

largely agricultural; brick- and tile-making in 19th century. Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries field research station at Blackford mid-20th century.

Places of worship:

Anglican church of St John the Baptist at Blackford, built 1870.

Schools and other institutions:

endowed parochial school at Blackford, built 1831; enlarged 1882; now Blackford CE Primary School.