Home

Keep up to date with events and news by joining our mailing list

About Us

The Kirkgate Centre is an entertainment and cultural venue at the heart of the lively community of Cockermouth, Cumbria.

We celebrate our local talent and heritage, and bring top quality professional entertainment to

our town and many other communities across the area to the west of the Lake District National Park.

Whether you enjoy films on a big screen, live music, theatre, exhibitions, shows for children and families or community events, Kirkgate has something for everyone. Our quirky character makes us a special venue for weddings, parties, festivals and conferences.

Our mission:

“Creative talent is valued, developed, and supported with opportunities for all to actively engage with and enjoy the arts, our local heritage and community life”

Our values:

Commitment – Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to delivering our mission.

Inclusion – We aim to make art, heritage, and culture accessible to all our communities.

Sustainability – We aim to ensure that the organisation is secure for future generations from both financial and environmental perspective.

Nurturing – We aim to provide an environment that encourages growth, development of skills confidence and enjoyment for all.

WHAT’S ON

Cockermouth LIVE! Cockermouth Community Orchestra Grand Festival Concert @Christ Church

5th July 2026 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

Christ Church

Category: Music

Cockermouth Community Orchestra prepares for a Grand, Grand Festival Concert. Cockermouth’s very own fifty-piece orchestra will perform at the town’s Cockermouth Live! festival on Sunday 5th July at Christ Church, Cockermouth at 7pm. Made up of musicians of all ages from across the town and outlying villages, Cockermouth Community Orchestra meets monthly at the United Reformed Church. This year, the ...

Heritage Walk: Medieval Cockermouth with Helen Johnston

6th July 2026 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Local History

Join us for a guided walk exploring Medieval Cockermouth. Although many buildings have been lost over the years, you might be surprised how much still remains! Helen Johnston is the Community Projects Officer at Kirkgate Arts and Heritage and an archaeologist who’s worked on sites on all periods across England. The walk will last about 1.5 hours, and will be ...

Rose of Nevada (15)

6th July 2026 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:30 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

Director Mark Jenkin’s follow up to Bait and Enys Men. Three decades ago, the Rose of Nevada vanished at sea, along with its crew. Now, it has returned. In a remote fishing village, its reappearance is embraced as an auspicious sign, with the local citizens convinced the luck of their economically devastated community may turn, if only the ship sails ...

Rose of Nevada (15)

8th July 2026 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

Director Mark Jenkin’s follow up to Bait and Enys Men. Three decades ago, the Rose of Nevada vanished at sea, along with its crew. Now, it has returned. In a remote fishing village, its reappearance is embraced as an auspicious sign, with the local citizens convinced the luck of their economically devastated community may turn, if only the ship sails ...
Testimonials

I remember fondly our time at the Kirkgate a couple of years ago, the warm and intimate atmosphere and the friendly welcome.

Kiki Dee

 The Kirkgate is my ideal venue. Intimate and warm, staffed by passionate folks who really care about The Arts and about their local community. It has a beating heart, even more so due to the eager enthusiastic volunteers who help run it.

Snake Davis

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cockermouth and had a great evening at the Kirkgate, the venue and staff were fantastic. We look forward to returning sometime in the future.

Kevin Morris & Dr Feelgood