Say Hello

Say Hello to Moor Row!

This page is a little corner of the internet dedicated to our wonderful community and all those who appreciate the charm of our village. 

Whether you're a long-time resident, you grew up here, or you're just passing through and want to learn more, leave a comment below!
  • If you live in Moor Row: Tell us what you love most about the village, share a favourite memory, or just let us know who you are!
  • If you're visiting or from elsewhere: Say hello and tell us what brought you to our site. We're always interested to know where our visitors are coming from!
Let's keep the conversation friendly, respectful, and focused on celebrating Moor Row.

Comments

  1. Jean3 December 2025 at 11:16

    Hi everyone. I'm Jean Palmer, and I used to live on Penzance Street. I hope that everyone who knew me is well. I miss the old village and friendly faces. Best wishes to you all, and Happy Christmas from a chilly Wellington.

    ReplyDelete

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MOST READ

About Moor Row

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Hello, and welcome. This site is about the village of Moor Row in West Cumbria. The history of Moor Row is one intrinsically linked to the industrial boom that transformed West Cumbria. While the area's roots stretch back to before 1762, when the homesteads of Low Moor Row and High Moor Row dotted the landscape between Summerhill Mansion and Woodend with Cleator, the true genesis of the modern village lies in iron ore and the mighty railway.  From Homestead to Hub The early landscape was characterised by family landholdings, such as the estate of the Wildridge family at Low Moor Row, located on what would become Church Street. The marriage of Elizabeth Wildridge to the local gardener, Dalzell, and his subsequent inheritance of the estates, is a pivotal local event. This link is preserved today, not just through family lore but in the village's street names, a testament to the enduring influence of the early landowners. The Railway Catalyst The mid-19th century witnessed an expl...
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Beneath the Surface: The Forgotten Iron Giant

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If you were to walk through the quiet streets of Moor Row today, you might find it hard to believe that this West Cumbrian village was once the beating heart of a massive industrial operation. Beneath the modern pavement and suburban gardens lies the legacy of the Montreal Mines - an enterprise that once rivalled the giants of the industry. While the mine closed in the 1920s, its footprint remains massive, fascinating, and occasionally dangerous. Let’s dig into the history of the Montreal Mines.  An Industrial Powerhouse At its peak, the Montreal Mines were nothing short of a colossus in the iron ore industry.  Producing an impressive 250,000 tons of ore a year, it was the most productive mine in the entire Whitehaven or Furness district, second only to the legendary Hodbarrow mine. The scale of the operation was immense: The Land : The property covered 1,000 acres, with half of that land being rich in iron ore. The Workforce : It wasn't just machines; it was men. Between 1,00...
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Moor Row's Enduring Spirit: A Legacy of Sacrifice in Two World Wars

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Nestled in the heart of West Cumbria, the seemingly quiet village of Moor Row holds a history far richer and more poignant than its present-day tranquility might suggest. Like countless communities across the United Kingdom, Moor Row played its part in the monumental struggles of the two World Wars, contributing its sons and daughters to the fight for freedom and peace. The echoes of their sacrifice still resonate today, etched into the very fabric of the village, most notably in the solemn presence of its War Memorial. The Great War : A Village Answers the Call When the call to arms came in 1914, Moor Row, then a bustling mining community, responded with unwavering resolve. Young men, many working in the local pits or related industries, swapped their tools for rifles and their civilian clothes for military uniforms.  Families bid tearful goodbyes, understanding the gravity of the situation but perhaps not fully comprehending the immense scale of the conflict that lay ahead. The t...
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The Village: History, Growth, and Erosion of Amenities

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The village of Moor Row, a residential community between Whitehaven and Egremont on the Cumbrian coastal plain, essentially owes its existence to the 19th-century iron ore boom.  Originally known by various names, including Low Keekle and Moor Row Junction, the community expanded rapidly from what was initially just a scattering of homesteads.  Founding Streets and Industrial Heritage The village name itself probably refers to the houses on Scalegill Street (or Scalegill Road), which were noted on the 1860 Ordnance Survey map and represent some of the original development. The definitive oldest terraced housing, however, is believed to be the row of two-up, two-down cottages built in 1859 on Dalzell Street. This street is particularly significant, named after the prominent Dalzell family, who owned parcels of land in the area and were connected to the local gentry and mine owners (specifically Thomas Henry Dalzell). Another street, Penzance Street, directly reflects the large-...
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Moor Row: Starting the Adventure on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk

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The Coast to Coast (C2C) walk is one of the UK’s most celebrated long-distance paths, the brainchild of the legendary fellwalker and writer, Alfred Wainwright. Spanning approximately 190 miles from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, it’s a trek filled with breathtaking landscapes, from the craggy peaks of the Lake District to the gentle undulations of the Yorkshire Wolds. But every epic journey must begin somewhere, and for the traditional western start, that place is usually the unassuming Cumbrian village of St Bees. Yet, the very first few miles - the section that takes you inland from the sea - often involves a necessary, but perhaps less-glamorous, stretch that takes you right through the former mining village of Moor Row. The Start : After dipping your boots in the Irish Sea at St Bees and picking up a pebble to carry to Robin Hood’s Bay (a lovely tradition!), the walk begins with a stunning, clifftop amble. The first sight of the coastline and the distant Isle of Man on a clear day...
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