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Maryport

Maryport is a town in the Allerdale borough of Cumbria, and is located on the A596 road north of Workington. This is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth, and the town´s railway station is situated on the Cumbrian Coast Line. Maryport is in the parliamentary constituency of Workington

Whatever floats your boat, you will find a wealth of things to see and do in Maryport. The more active can try coastal sailing or sea fishing, while the golf enthusiasts can head inland for a round on one of the county´s superb courses. Lively festivals take place in summer, and visitors to the area should make sure they are in town for the annual July carnival and the Blues Festival.

Maryport is a Georgian town, with a strong maritime heritage.  Improvements to the North Quay in the town and the promenade have attracted more visitors to the town, and the South Quay is now a pleasing complex of dockside attractions, water side pubs, restaurants and boat moorings.

To the north of Maryport is evidence of the salt-panning industry of Crosscanonby, which was named after the Augustinian canons of Carlisle. The coal mining towns of Crosby, Broughton Moor and Dearham can be found inland, and to the south is the coastal village of Flimby. Great Broughton, on the banks of the Derwent, is also well worth a visit, along with Tallentire.

The Mutiny on the Bounty

Fletcher Christian famously overthrew Captain Bligh on the Bounty, and cast  his crew adrift on a boat. Christian was a Master's mate on board the Bounty during William Bligh's fateful voyage to Tahiti for breadfruit plants, and he seized command of the ship from Bligh on April 28, 1789.

The mutineers reached the Pitcairn Islands where most were murdered. It is uncertain whether Christian was murdered or made his way back to England, but it is believed that he, along with some of the crew members founded a colony on the Pitcairn Islands, which is still inhabited by his descendants. Pitcairn Island is situated in the South Pacific, 1,350 miles south east of Tahiti.

Ewanrigg Hall, near Maryport was the home of the Christian family, although Christian was born at Moorland Close Farm, Eaglesfield near Cockermouth. Christian Street in Maryport is named after the family.

Crosscanonby Carr Nature Reserve

Crosscanonby Carr Nature Reserve was created from a derelict car park, and now teems with life. This wetland reserve is part of the Solway Coast, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the ponds, open fen and herb-rich meadows attract a wealth of wildlife. A circular walk around the reserve offers visitors information panels and picnic tables so they can make the most of this beautiful area.

Attractions near Maryport include:

Dubbs Moss Nature Reserve

Dubb´s Moss Nature Reserve is an area of woodland and wetland, and is owned by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The reserve can be accessed from Moorland Close Farm to the south-east, or from Wellington Farm, which forms part of a nature trail. The Solway coast boasts expansive views and stunning sunsets over the Irish Sea, which can be viewed from the promenade walks.

The Lake District Coast Aquarium

The Lake District Coast Aquarium attracts visitors from all over the Lake District and provides a perfect family day out. Local marine and freshwater fish can be seen in a series of living habitat recreations, and include: camouflaged plaice, lurking conger eels, shoals of bass, crabs and gliding sharks. There is also a touch pool. Other attractions include radio-controlled boats, a crazy golf course and a pirate-themed adventure playground nearby.

Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre

 
Situated at Dearham, the Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre is inhabited by the Clydesdale, Shires, Percheron, Ardenne and Suffolk Punch breeds. The horses can be seen pulling ploughs during farming demonstrations, and visitors can take a horse-drawn drive around the farm in a cart or trap. The museum also exhibits superb examples of drays, carriages and horse-drawn agricultural equipment. If you want to spend the day at the centre, there is a wildlife pond, picnic area and children´s play area outside, plus a café and gift shop. The centre is not open during winter.

Maryport Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum at Maryport is situated on one of the first plots of land to be developed in the town by Humphrey Senhouse. With fascinating objects and artefacts, including models, paintings and pictures, visitors can also learn about the founder of White Star Line (owners of the Titanic), Thomas Henry Ismay, and the famous, or infamous, Fletcher Christian who was responsible for the Mutiny on the Bounty.

Senhouse Roman Museum

Senhouse is an award winning museum, situated on the cliffs opposite the Roman fort, and it offers an incredible collection of Roman artefacts which were uncovered from pits near the fort. Roman altars represent the annual renewal of blessings for the Emperor, and every year new altars were made and the old ones buried.

St Mary's Church

St Mary´s Church was originally built in 1760, during the boom years of coal mining in the area, and it was paid for by local inhabitants of the town. By the late 19th Century the local population had grown and a new church was built in 1892 in an early Gothic style. Many of the town´s mariners are buried in the churchyard, and several graves bear epitaphs to lives lost at sea.

Crosscanonby Saltpans

As salt making was an important industry, for the preservation of meat and fish, and for medical purposes, several saltpans were situated along the north Cumbrian coast. Crosscanonby Saltpans were among the best preserved in England and were built in 1650. Salt laden sand was gathered from the shore and put into the elevated pit. Fresh water was allowed to drip through the sleech and collected in a brine pit. The brine was then boiled until the liquid condensed to form salt crystals. The cottages of the salters were situated next to the car park, and have now been demolished.

Harbour Lights

The Harbour Lights is a lottery-funded project which is designed to improve the harbour area, through the installation of specially commissioned artworks. Ceramic tiles have been set into the harbour wall to represent Maryport´s history, plus inscribed quotes and impressions of Maryport.
 
You can find an incredible range of accomodation in Maryport, including luxury hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, guest houses and holiday cottages. If you are staying elsewhere in Cumbria and plan to tour the Lake District and visit Maryport for a day, check out the stylish and elegant boutique hotels in Bowness or the organic hotels near Windermere.

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