'Mockerkin Tarn'

Beside the A5086 Cockermouth to Egremont rd.

Location : Cockermouth
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 083232

Five miles south-west of Cockermouth at the foot of the Lakeland Fells in gently rolling country, Mockerkin Tarn is traditionally the site of the palace of Morken, a Celtic King. It occupies a shallow basin surrounded by lush pasture, with a small stream entering from the east beside a wooded area. The gentle outflow eventually joins the River Marron.

In summer there is a wonderful display of white and yellow water lillies, which stretch in broad bands across the south-western corner of the tarn. There is ample parking in two lay-bys overlooking the tarn, which contains eel, pike and perch, and which has a maximum depth of 3.5 metres.