Applethwaite and Undermillbeck Before 1847 GAZ Applethwaite

Applethwaite and Undermillbeck Before 1847

In 1692, Thomas Machell described Bowness as ‘a small country village, with a school house and with nine or ten other houses about it, where there is a sort of market or meeting place lately begun’.

Economic Activity: A corn mill is known to have existed in the 13th century on the Mill Beck, which formed the boundary between the townships.  There were other early mills (variously corn, fulling, paper, flax & bobbin) at Troutbeck Bridge, on the northern boundary of Applethwaite, from 1390.  The main sources of wealth lay in cattle and sheep farming but stone quarrying, woodland industries and fishing had developed by the early modern period. An informal market grew up around the church at Bowness in the 17th century,at first being held under a yew tree in the churchyard on Sundays; by 1692, it was held on Fridays. The public ferry across the lake, has existed for over 500 years.  By the end of the 18th century, tourism was becoming a major industry.

Places of worship: The late-medieval parish church in Bowness, dedicated to St Martin, was originally a chapel of ease in Kendal parish. It was acquired parochial status when a graveyard was consecrated in 1348. A Quaker meeting house was built at Mislet in Applethwaite township in 1701 ; it closed in 1822. A Wesleyan gathering existed before 1800 in a private house; two chapels were opened later.

Schools: A Free Grammar School for the children of the poor opened in Bowness c.1637, rebuilt on a new site in 1836. 

Other institutions:  none.