Much of the centre of the town is of medieval origin substantially rebuilt in Georgian style with Victorian infill.
The tree lined Kirkgate offers examples of unspoilt classical late 17th and 18th-century terraced housing, cobbled paving and curving lanes which run steeply down to the River Cocker.
Most of the buildings are of traditional slate and stone construction with thick walls and green Skiddaw slate roofs.

Many of the facades lining the streets are frontages for historic housing in alleyways and lanes (often maintaining medieval street patterns) to the rear.
Examples of Georgian residences may be found near the Market Place, St. Helens Street, at the bottom of Castlegate Drive and Kirkgate.

Cockermouth lays claim to be the first town in Britain to have piloted electric lighting.
 In 1881 six powerful electric lamps were set up to light the town, together with gas oil lamps in the back streets.
Service proved intermittent, and there was afterwards a return to gas lighting.

In 1964, Cockermouth was named one of 51 'Gem Towns' in the UK, by the Council for British Archaeology.
This recognised the importance of the historic buildings, and the need to manage traffic management and the urban development.
Much of the centre of the town is of medieval origin substantially rebuilt in Georgian style with Victorian infill. The tree lined Kirkgate offers examples of unspoilt classical late 17th and 18th-century terraced housing, cobbled paving and curving lanes which run steeply down to the River Cocker. Most of the buildings are of traditional slate and stone construction with thick walls and green Skiddaw slate roofs.
Many of the facades lining the streets are frontages for historic housing in alleyways and lanes (often maintaining medieval street patterns) to the rear. Examples of Georgian residences may be found near the Market Place, St. Helens Street, at the bottom of Castlegate Drive and Kirkgate.
Cockermouth lays claim to be the first town in Britain to have piloted electric lighting.  In 1881 six powerful electric lamps were set up to light the town, together with gas oil lamps in the back streets. Service proved intermittent, and there was afterwards a return to gas lighting.
In 1964, Cockermouth was named one of 51 'Gem Towns' in the UK, by the Council for British Archaeology. This recognised the importance of the historic buildings, and the need to manage traffic management and the urban development.
Cockermouth