From Rails to Roofs: Moor Row’s Historic Goods Yard Becomes 'The Pastures'

West Cumbria is a place steeped in industrial history and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. One village that perfectly encapsulates this heritage is Moor Row, nestled between the market town of Whitehaven and the fringes of the glorious Lake District National Park.

And now, this community is embracing a significant new chapter with the arrival of The Pastures housing estate.

Building on History:
From Goods Yard to New Homes For centuries, Moor Row's identity has been intrinsically linked to the region's industrial heartlands.

The discovery of iron ore in the 19th century transformed the village, drawing in workers, including many Cornish tin miners, whose influence can still be seen in street names like Penzance Street.

Crucially, the area now occupied by part of The Pastures development played a vital role in this industrial boom. The site was previously home to the Moor Row Goods Yard, a bustling hub on the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Junction Railway.
  • The Railway Link: Moor Row became a key junction for the railway, serving as an important goods yard for transporting iron ore from the local mines. This infrastructure was essential to West Cumbria's prosperity for many decades.
  • The Goods Yard: The yard was a hive of activity, a place where goods were loaded, unloaded, and shunted along the lines. While all the former commercial buildings have now been demolished, the land holds the memory of this industrious past.
  • A Continuous Path: The site today is partially separated from the existing village by a former railway cutting, which has been brilliantly repurposed as the C2C (Coast to Coast) cycleway - a superb nod to its transport history and a fantastic local amenity.
Alongside the old goods yard, the remainder of the site was primarily agricultural land, offering a sense of openness on the northern edge of the village, stretching towards the River Keekle.

A Bright Future for Moor Row
Today, The Pastures development is transforming this historical plot into a thriving residential area. Offering a mix of new houses and bungalows, the development is designed to provide high-quality homes for a new generation of West Cumbrians.

It's an exciting evolution: turning a former workhorse of the iron ore industry and quiet pastureland into a welcoming estate. In recent weeks, following the completion of the extensive ground works and laying of essential infrastructure, the physical construction of the houses themselves has started to accelerate. 

Now, if you drive past, you can see the new homes rapidly taking shape, offering a clear vision of what the completed estate will look like. This development respects the village’s past while providing much-needed housing, ensuring Moor Row continues to be a vibrant place to live and raise a family.

With excellent commuter links via the nearby A595, and the stunning scenery of the Lake District practically on the doorstep, The Pastures offers a perfect blend of convenience and countryside living.

It’s a wonderful example of how West Cumbrian communities are adapting and growing while never forgetting their rich, fascinating history.

Moor Row: The Pastures Illustration
The Pastures Illustration
Location: Moor Row CA24, UK

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