Earlier Houses: There was a mid-14th century peel tower on the site of the current house.

House & Family History: After the defeat of her forces at the Battle of Langside on May 13, 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, spent her first in England at Workington Hall. During World War II the house was requisitioned by the government and used to board troops. During the war a serious fire did considerable damage to Workington Hall, from which it never recovered. After the war ended the damaged house was donated to the local council to be restored as the new town hall, but this was never carried out and the house rapidly fell into ruin.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 149, 1854.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: Eldred Curwen, until 1790; John Christian Curwen, 1790-1828; Curwen family here from the 13th century until 1930.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Ruinous

Ownership Details: Owned by Allerdale Council since the 1940s.

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No