• Alston
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• Bassenthwaite
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• Newby Bridge
• Orton
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• Pooley Bridge
• Ravenglass And Eskdale
• Sedbergh
• Seascale
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• St Bees
• Skiddaw
• Staveley
• Tebay
• The Duddon Valley
• Threlkeld
• Ulverston
• Vale Of Lorton
• Wasdale
• Wetheral
• Whitehaven
• Wigton
• Windermere
• Workington
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Whitehaven
 

The Cumbrian coastal town of Whitehaven once boasted the third largest maritime port in the UK, and the area had trade links all over the world.

Whitehaven was listed as a ´gem town´, and was voted one of the top 10 seaside resorts in Britain. The town´s early prosperity was built on coal mining, which was developed by the wealthy Lowther family, who also designed the town.

The 17th Century harbour has been enhanced by nautical sculptures and dramatic lighting effects, and is now the focus for spectacular shows and maritime exhibitions, plus a wide range of activities including the occasional visit of tall ships.

One of the best ways to view Whitehaven is from the sea. From a boat you will appreciate the vast range of coastal wildlife and the mining heritage and history of the area. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, there are plenty of trails, walks and cycle ways around the area.

St Bees Head Nature Reserve

St Bees Head Nature Reserve is set among towering sandstone cliffs, which are home to the largest seabird colony on the west coast of England, with over 5,000 breeding birds. Species include puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills. Fulmars and shearwaters can also often be seen over the sea. Although the reserve can be reached from a footpath, it can be best viewed from a boat at sea.

Whitehaven Marine Adventures

Whitehaven Marine Adventures offers an exciting boat ride along the Whitehaven shoreline. This 90 minute ride is the best way to see the natural and industrial history of Whitehaven, plus get a bird´s eye view (excuse the pun) at the local seabird colonies on the cliffs. Basking sharks and Minke whales can also be spotted offshore and guided boat tours depart from Whitehaven Harbour Slipway regularly during the summer months (depending on weather on tides).

The Coast to Coast Walk

The brainchild of famous walker and writer, Alfred Wainwright, The Coast to Coast Walk is one of the most famous long-distance walks in the UK. Covering nearly 190 miles, the walk starts at nearby St Bees and finishes at Robin Hood´s Bay on the North Yorkshire Coast. The walk passes through some of the most stunning countryside in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Moors.

The Cumbria Coastal Way

The Cumbria Coastal Way follows 150 miles of footpaths close to the Cumbrian shoreline from Silverdale on the border with Lancathire to the Scottish Borders near Gretna.

The Beacon

The Beacon is an award-winning museum which is a showpiece for Whitehaven´s rich seafaring and mining history. The Beacon also provides visitors with stunning views over the harbour area, and close by is the Haig Colliery Mining Museum, which is well worth a visit. The Rum Story is also worth a look, where the history of Jefferson´s rum is explained, along with its links to the maritime trade in Whitehaven.

St James Church

St James Church has a plain looking exterior, which hides one of the finest Georgian interiors in the country. The church was built in 1753 during Whitehaven's boom years to reflect the town's prosperity. The designer was Carlisle Spedding, a mining engineer in charge of the Whitehaven collieries.

St Nicholas's Church

St Nicholas´s Church was almost completely destroyed in 1971 after a fire. Only the tower remains, which is now used as a tearoom and prayer chapel. A narrow spiral staircase provides access to the tower and the visible workings of a clock mechanism. Over 1,200 men, women and children lost their lives in the Whitehaven pits between 1597 and 1987, and a decorative mosaic was laid in memory of them.

Rosehill Theatre and Cinema

The Rosehill Theatre and Cinema offers visitors a live programme of music, comedy, drama, dance and film. This listed building was constructed by Sir Nicholas Sekers, who emigrated from Hungary in 1937, and was the founder of West Cumberland Silk Mills at Hensingham. The theatre was converted from a barn in the grounds of his house in 1958.

Whitehaven Pottery

Fine quality china and ceramics are produced at this working pottery in the middle of Whitehaven, and many of the pots are decorated with scenes from Whitehaven´s industrial and maritime past.

Whitehaven is the perfect base for visitors who want to enjoy the Cumbrian coast but also travel to the centre of the Lake District. Accomodation in Whitehaven, Maryport, Ravenglass and Keswick includes holiday cottages, self catering accommodation and bed and breakfast facilities. If you are looking to explore Windermere, Bowness or Ullswater, check out the cheap hotel deals and romantic weekend deals in the Lake District.

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