Cleator: Ironworks History, Churches and Longlands Lake

Cleator brings together early iron industry history, two churches, the Coast to Coast Walk and Longlands Lake. Depending on your interests, the focus may be on historic iron smelting, church architecture or trails and nature by the lake. For travellers who enjoy combining historic sites with walking routes, the town offers a range of points of interest.

Iron smelting and local industrial history

Iron was smelted beside the River Ehen from the late 17th century. In 1694, the first blast furnace in Cumbria was built in Cleator. A drawing of the ironworks shows six conical furnaces in operation in 1794. The Kangol brand also originated officially in Cleator, Cumbria, in the United Kingdom. Iron smelting and the origin of the brand represent different historical connections: one points to local production, the other to the creation of a brand in Cleator.

Two churches and their historical connections

St Leonard’s is an old rural church on the Coast to Coast Walk. It was first mentioned during the reign of King Henry I (1100–1135), in the early 12th century. St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church opened in 1872. A grotto was built at St Mary’s in 1927 as a shrine in honour of Our Lady. It was designed as a replica of the grotto at Lourdes in France and built from stones from the spoil heaps of the local mine. The two churches mark different periods: St Leonard’s is associated with its early mention, while St Mary’s is linked to its 19th-century opening and the 20th-century grotto. The grotto combines its religious dedication and the Lourdes inspiration with building material from local mining spoil heaps.

Walking routes in and around Cleator

The Coast to Coast Walk passes through Cleator towards Ennerdale and beyond; St Leonard’s is also on this route. A separate trail starts at Longlands Lake, leads to the remains of the old forge and then continues to Dent Fell. The two routes offer different connections: the long-distance trail through Cleator and the route from the lake to the named destinations. Conditions on the route from the lake may vary.

Longlands Lake: mining history and nature

Longlands Lake lies on the site of the former Longlands iron ore mine. Subsidence caused by the mines flooded the area in 1939, creating the lake as it is today. Careful management has made Longlands a refuge for wildlife of all kinds. At Longlands Lake, there is a car park near the lake, picnic areas and a path around the lake. There are accessible paths around the lake, and the seating areas have also been improved. The lake’s history therefore combines former mining use with its natural value today: subsidence created the body of water, while careful management supports the wildlife habitat.

Discover more destinations: Maryport, Bampton, Orton, Dalston, Burneside, Haverigg, Threlkeld, Arnside

For the broader travel overview: Cumbria.