Torpenhow: History, Church and Cheese

Torpenhow brings together several distinct themes for travellers: church architecture, local and landscape history, and cheese production. St Michael and All Angels dates back to 1120; Torpenhow Hall, a historical interpretation of the place name, and common land with a racecourse are also among the local history topics. In addition, there is Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy and a Cheese Hut selling products directly. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Torpenhow, these themes can help you choose the focus of your trip: they range from historic buildings to cheese production and direct sales.

Church and Architectural History

St Michael and All Angels in Torpenhow dates back to 1120 and is almost entirely Norman in character. Its architectural features include a central Norman arch. The description of its Norman character refers to the overall impression, while the arch is a single architectural feature. The date and style therefore offer different points of reference: the year places the church in its historical period, while its style and arch characterise its architecture. Torpenhow Hall adds a later building to the architectural history. The manor house dates from the mid-16th century and is now used as a farmhouse. The two buildings thus offer different perspectives on Torpenhow's history: Norman church architecture on the one hand, and a manor house now used as a farmhouse on the other.

Name and Landscape History

An interpretation recorded by the 17th-century historian John Denton explains the place name through three words for “hill”: “tor” (Saxon), “pen” (British) and “how” (Old Norse). Taken together, the name means “hill-hill-hill” in this interpretation. This is a historical interpretation; other etymologies are also discussed. This linguistic account adds a distinct perspective on local history to the buildings: it concerns the interpretation of the name, while the church and hall are understood through their architecture and construction dates.

The history of the common land is also part of understanding the area. The commons of Bothel and Torpenhow covered 2,200 acres and were enclosed in 1811. The 2,200 acres indicate the area covered, while 1811 is the date of enclosure. Another historical detail concerns a racecourse that was on common land between Caermote and Moota in the 17th century. The enclosure of the commons and the former racecourse represent two different aspects of the landscape's history.

Cheese Production and Direct Sales

Food production is the focus at Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy. It makes artisan, award-winning cheese from fresh organic milk. The milk comes from grass-fed cows in a single herd. These details cover both the artisanal production and the source of the milk. For travellers interested in production, this offers a different focus from church architecture and local history.

The Cheese Hut at the end of the drive to the family farm offers direct sales of organic cheese and organic butter. Check before travelling to see whether direct sales are currently available. Visits to Park House Farm are by prior appointment only.

Discover more destinations: Barrow-In-Furness, Burneside, Greystoke, Backbarrow, Temple Sowerby, Grasmere, Orton, Kirkby-In-Furness

For the main travel overview: Cumbria.