[10] The Romans built a fort at Derventio Carvetiorum, now the adjoining village of Papcastle, to protect the river crossing on a major route for troops heading towards Hadrian's Wall.

The Market Bell remains as a reminder of this period (inset into a wall opposite the Allerdale Hotel), while the 1761 and Castle pub (which spans three floors) have been renovated to reveal medieval stonework and 16th and 18th-century features.

Many historic buildings on and adjacent to Main Street sustained severe damage, as did a number of bridges in and around the town.

Recovery from the devastation was slow, with residents placed in temporary accommodation and some businesses temporarily relocated to Mitchells auction mart.

Flooding occurred again in 2015, when the River Derwent burst its banks on 5 December, with several hundred homes and businesses affected.

The tree-lined Kirkgate offers examples of unspoilt classical late 17th and 18th-century terraced housing, cobbled paving and curving lanes which run steeply down to the River Cocker.

[24] The town has been part of the Penrith & Solway constituency since 2024 and has been represented by Markus Campbell-Savours of the Labour Party since the 2024 general election.

Prior to Brexit for the European Parliament its residents voted to elect MEPs for the North West England constituency.

The centre of Cockermouth retains much of its historic character and the renovation of Market Place has been completed, now with an artistic and community focus.

The tree-lined main street boasts a statue of Lord Mayo, formerly an MP for Cockermouth, who became British Viceroy of India and whose subsequent claim to fame was that he was assassinated.

The renovated arts and cultural zone in the 13th-century Market Place has undergone something of a regeneration following European Union funding; it is now pedestrian-friendly adorned with stone paving and roadways, underground lighting and seating in bright colours to reflect the area's facades.

[citation needed] Pavement art and stonework commemorate eclectic historical events, John Dalton's atomic theory, local dialect, flooding and a curious range other memorabilia.

[citation needed] A shared-use path runs along the former Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway route and spans a high bridge over the Cocker, affording views of the town and river-scape.

Built at the confluence of the Rivers Cocker and Derwent, the castle has a tilting tower which hangs Pisa-like over Jennings Brewery buildings.

Jennings Brewery offered regular public tours and occasional carriage rides pulled by a shire horse.

[30] Culturally, the Kirkgate Centre offers international music, heritage, theatre and world cinema (including critically acclaimed and art-house movies on Monday evenings) and the town has an annual festival of concerts and performances each summer.

At Christmas, the town presents festive lighting throughout its main and subsidiary streets, accompanied by competing shop displays.

The main cemetery on the Lorton Road is something of a walkers' garden, featuring streams, humped stone bridges and views of the nearby fells.

Industrialisation and hence work has moved to the west coast around Carlisle and Workington, and includes servicing the nuclear facilities at Sellafield.

[33] In 2023, Whitehaven's Mayfield School opened its sixth form campus to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Bus services in Cockermouth are operated primarily by Stagecoach Cumbria; key routes include the X4 and X5 to Workington and Keswick, and the 600 to Carlisle.

[citation needed] Cockermouth School has an astroturf pitch used for community football, including the local six-a-side league.