GOSFORTH, a parish in ALLERDALE ward above
Darwent, county of CUMBERLAND, 6 miles (S.E.) from
Egremont, comprising the townships of High Bolton,
Low Bolton, and Bornwood, and containing 888 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Richmond, and diocese of Chester, rated in the
king's books at £17. 14. 7., and endowed with £400
parliamentary grant. Mrs. W. Senhouse was patroness
in 1827. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. In the
church-yard is an ancient stone pillar, which was formerly
surmounted by a cross. Several rivulets run
through the parish, and fall, with the Bleng, into the
Irt. An abundance of freestone is obtained here. On
Bornwood common are fairs for cattle and horses, on
April 25th and October 18th. A copper battle-axe has
been recently dug up at Bolton wood, and at Sea-scales
there are the remains of a druidical temple.