Cockermouth, issued with a market charter in 1221, is a town of history. In 1568, Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night of freedom in the Market Place home of the Fletchers. William Wordsworth, Poet Laureate, spent his early childhood in a fine house on the banks of the River Derwent, Wordsworth House is now a family friendly ‘living museum’. Earl Mayo, Viceroy and Governor-General of India  was the town’s MP from 1847-52, the Mayo Statue stands in the middle of the Main Street and watches over daily events. Cockermouth is a true Cumberland town which reflects the local farming community and offers small shops, established family businesses, interesting antique shops, art galleries, excellent family butchers, greengrocers, coffee shops and, occasionally, the brewing aroma from Jennings Brewery wafts over the town.