Geograph - photograph every grid square

The ridge across this square marks the boundary between the Silurian shales to the SE and older Ordovician sedimentary rocks to the NW. These are overlain by glacial deposits, producing marshland next to the River Duddon and River Lickle. The River Duddon forms the boundary between the former Broughton West CP, now Duddon CP, in South Lakeland DC east of the Duddon, and Millom Outer CP in Copeland DC west of the Duddon.

Although only becoming A-roads in 1992, the ridge road through High Cross is could well be older than Broughton-in-Furness, which it bypasses. Perhaps it led from the mines of Coniston to a quay near Foxfield. Cross implies a medieval guide post. The High Cross Inn is stated to date back to the 16C.

William Croudson of Greenslack was listed as a yeoman in 1829 and as one of the principal landowners of Broughton-in-Furness in 1882. Greenslack is now a dairy farm and a guest house.

There is a ruined limekiln at SD20558710 near Greety Gate.

St Mary Magdelene's Church is down a lane off Church Stree.t It was consecrated in 1547, but the S doorway is 12C, late Norman, with waterleaf capitals and there is evidence for an 11C Saxon church. Broughton West was a chapelry in the ancient parish of Kirkby Ireleth, and became a parish church in 1870. The E window in Perpendicular and has a stained glass memorial window to the Lathom family installed in 1875; there are several other 16C windows. In 1874 much of the detail was renewed, and the N aisle, larger than the nave, built in neo-Norman style in local slate stone with red sandstone dressings. The SW tower was built in 1900.

Syke House is a hamlet on the road into town from High Cross. There was a tannery c.1890. Syke House itself is a modest house with datestones of 1655 and 1740.

Old Bridge carries a footpath over the River Lickle at SD206878. This name suggest that the footpath might be the original road when it was only a packhorse track. The bridge is at the tidal limit, and the river downstream was formerly a meander of the River Duddon, and was still the county boundary in 1889.

This is a desk study based on information from the internet, the OS 1:2500 map of 1889 and the OS 1:25000 map of 2001. Further information would be very welcome.