Wetheral

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption =
latitude = 54.88
longitude = -2.83
official_name = Wetheral
civil_parish = Wetheral
population = 4,039 (ward) 5,203 (parish)
shire_district= Carlisle
shire_county = Cumbria
region = North West England
constituency_westminster= Carlisle
post_town= Carlisle
postcode_district = CA4
postcode_area = CA
dial_code = 01228
os_grid_reference = NY4654

Wetheral is a village in Cumbria, England. The village serves mostly as a dormitory town for nearby Carlisle. As of the 2001 census, the population of the Wetheral Wards of the United Kingdom is 4,039. [cite web | url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5947981&c=Wetheral&d=14&e=15&g=432315&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1214074466139&enc=1 | title=2001 Census: Key Statistics: Key Figures | publisher=Office for National Statistics | accessdate=2008-06-21 ] The civil parish of Wetheral is slightly larger, with a population of 5,203. [cite web | url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=793031&c=Wetheral&d=16&e=15&g=432161&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1214074378593&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 | title=2001 Census: Key Statistics: Parish Headcounts | publisher=Office for National Statistics | accessdate=2008-06-21 ] Along with nearby Scotby and the merged village of Warwick Bridge - Corby Hill - Little Corby, this is one of the most affluent areas of North Cumbria.

Wetheral stands high on a bank overlooking a gorge in the River Eden. Parts of the riverbank here are surrounded by ancient woodlands, including Wetheral Woods, owned by the National Trust. [cite web | url=http://www.carlisle-city.gov.uk/pdf/wetheral%20pp.pdf | title=Wetheral Parish Plan 2005 | publisher=Wetheral Parish Council | accessdate=2008-06-21 | page=p.18] Formerly a small ferryboat operated to the village of Great Corby on the opposite bank, and an iron ring can still be found attached to the rocks on the Great Corby side of the river where the ferry would tie up.

The Newcastle to Carlisle Railway has a station here at the west end of Corby Bridge (popularly known as 'Wetheral Viaduct') over the Eden which acts also as a footbridge connecting with Great Corby. The station was closed during the Beeching cuts, but was reopened in 1984.

In the Middle Ages there was a priory at Wetheral. All that is left now is the gatehouse, which is in the care of English Heritage, and some low ruined walls behind the farm buildings that now occupy the site.

At the historic core of the village lies the village green, in one corner of which stands Wetheral Cross. The cross previously stood in the centre of the green before it was moved. The green is surrounded by large period houses in different styles, and the Fantails restaurant, shop and tea room front the green. The church, hotel (The Crown), village hall, hairdresser and pub (The Wheatsheaf) are not far away. The north western part of the village is known as Wetheral Plain and consists of a ribbon development along Plains Road and the housing estates of Greenacres and Faustin Hill.

There is no school in the village (it closed many years ago) and most primary school children travel to the school at Scotby, although some go to Great Corby or Warwick Bridge. The village lies in the catchment area of St Aidan's County High School and Specialist Sports College in Carlisle, although the William Howard School in nearby Brampton provides a bus service for pupils who wish to attend school there. This is undertaken by most pupils despite having to pay a large charge for bus costs instead of the free bus to the catchment school in Carlisle.

The ward of Wetheral includes the villages and hamlets of Warwick-on-Eden, Aglionby, Scotby, Cotehill, Cumwhinton, Wetheral Shield and Wetheral Pasture. The civil parish also includes part of the Great Corby & Geltsdale ward, containing Great Corby, Warwick Bridge (but not Corby Hill or Little Corby), and Heads Nook.

At Wetheral Shield is the Eden Animal Rescue Centre.

References