Cockermouth Market Place

Budget: £1.2m

Project Team: BCA Landscape, Smiling Wolf

Awards: Landscape Institute Award 2009, Hard Landscape BALI Award 2009, NW Tourism Public Space Award (Shortlist 2009)

This Georgian Market Place in the ancient town of Cockermouth is re-enlivened with a high quality and pedestrian friendly approach.

Footpaths are widened, designated level crossing points, disabled parking and delivery bays are provided alongside existing trees. Artworks are incorporated into functional elements, bringing to light many details of Cockermouth’s past.

Each bollard, manhole cover, and some of the paving slabs tell local stories unearthed during extensive historical research, and conversations with local people. Regionally distinctive burgage-plot field patterns dictate how the paving is laid out. High-quality materials such as bronze, cast iron and natural stone reflect are used to enhance the historical setting of Market Place.

All the works have been developed sensitively within the context of the existing Conservation Area.