ROCKCLIFF, a parish in the ward and county of
CUMBERLAND,comprising the townships of Castle-Rockcliff
and Church-Rockcliff, and containing 722 inhabitants,
of which number, 362 are in the township of
Church-Rockcliff, 4 miles (N. W.) from Carlisle. The
living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry and
diocese of Carlisle, endowed with £200 royal bounty,
and £1600 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage
of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle. The parish is
bounded on the north by the river Esk, on the northwest
by the Solway firth, and on the south-west by the
river Eden, the latter of which is navigable to the
village of Rockcliff, which is situated opposite to Port
Carlisle. Within reach of the tide is a remarkable
spring, with a scum floating on its surface, which turns
paper to a complete golden hue; and the banks of
the river produce a medicinal plant, termed Mother of
Thyme.