Hackthorpe
The first time I heard of Hackthorpe we where heading up the A6 towards Penrith in 1968 just after the opening of the M6 Penrith bypass, approaching the junction the eventually closed (Shap Lost) where these big new signs directing traffic to Penrith onto the M6 whilst at the top it said Hackthorpe A6. Needless to say we took the M6 so it was several years before I went through Hackthorpe, what I found was a small village which stretched from the bridge over the M6 at the southern end to Lowther northern end. Hackthorpe and Lowther are virtually one village between 2 bridges on the A6 over the M6.
As with Lowther traffic on this section of the A6 is fairly light with the village causing very little problems for the A6 traveler. Breaking news for Cumbria including the Hackthorpe area can be found on our Cumbria News Page. A photo Gallery for Hackthorpe where photos can be viewed and uploaded can be found on our Galleries Page
Historical Hackthorpe
The village of Hackthorpe belonged to the Barony of Kendal, in 1361 it was possessed by the Strickland family. On the division of the barony, this manor became part of what was afterwards called the Marquis' Fee, and continued to be held by the Stricklands, untill about 1535, when it was purchased by the Lowthers. The old hall, now a farm house, was the birth place of John, first Viscount Lonsdale. The village history is very much from this point tied up with that of Lowther.
The A6 & M6 in Hackthorpe
The A6 enters Hackthorpe from the north over a bridge over the M6 and continues northwards through the villagebefore crossing into Lowther. The M6 Penrith Bypass section was opened passed Hackthorpe in 1968, taking with it most of the north south traffic, the M6 runs just east of Hackthorpe. The southern end of the Penrith bypass is just over a mile south of the village.
