The road [from Carlisle to Wigton] pretty good and the surface level; but nothing very much interesting occurs. The country, though not disagreeable, soon becomes wild and barren, but not without some fertile spots and pieces of woodland. This road affords us a tolerable extensive view. On the right is Moorhouse, the seat of Major Hodson, where Joseph Liddel, Esq. and several other gentlemen, had planted several extensive tracts of Scotch fir, which thrive well and enliven the face of the country … The intervening country, though not remarkable for its fertility, is well-cultivated, and shows some spaces of rich ground.

Wigton is seated on a most beautiful and healthy part of Cumberland, on a gravelly soils and southern aspect … and surrounded with rich cultivated lands, and valuable commons capable of great improvements. There are several handsome buildings in the town, and the streets are tolerably wide, and kept pretty neat around the market place. In 1788 a new and elegant church was built. Here is an hospital, founded in 1725, for six indigent widows of episcopal clergymen, well endowed. In 1788 was also built a meeting place for dissenters, of which there are several respectable families. The town also possesses an endowed school … and a parochial library belonging to the church. The former manufactures here were tow-cloth, osnaburghs, and coarse linens, striped checks and calicoes, and of late years fustians, muslins, ginghams &c have been introduced. But what has most contributed of late years to the population of the place is a manufactory of printed calicoes at Spittal, about a quarter of a mile from the town, established in 1790, by Messrs Brumell and Irving and now the property of Messrs Ferguson and Irving. There are also breweries belonging to Messrs Hodgson and Mr Skelton. This place is supplied with coal and lime from Bolton, about four miles distant.

Sources

Francis Jollie, Cumberland Guide and Directory containing a descriptive tour through the county (Carlisle: F. Jollie and Sons, 1811)