Whitehaven
Recapture the atmosphere of the 18th century as you explore the unique and original streets of the Georgian port of Whitehaven in Cumbria, recently voted among the top ten seaside resorts in the UK.
Whitehaven has a wealth of Georgian architecture and was one of the first post-medieval planned towns. It has many connections with the USA. Mildred Gale, George Washington's grandmother, is buried here and John Paul Jones, founder of the American Navy, led the one and only attack on British soil by US forces in 1778.
Many grand houses are built on a grid pattern and are now a memorial to prosperous trading merchants and sea captains who once lived here.
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The diagram to the left gives an indication of the grid pattern of the town and how it has developed from the harbour area. The numbered items are to give you a snapshot of key locations within the town. 1 - Lowther Street 2 - Multi-storey car park 3 - Market Place 4 - St. Nicholas Tower and Gardens 5 - King Street, the main shopping street 6 - The Beacon 7 - The Marina area 8 - 'The Crows' Nest and 'The Wave' 9 - The Lock Gates |
The new marina has fast become a favourite with yacht and leisure
craft owners from all around the country as their preferred 'Gateway
to the Lakes'.
William Wordsworth, the famous poet said:
"I remember being struck for the first time by the town and port of Whitehaven, and the white waves breaking against its quays and piers."
Writer Hunter Davies says of the town:
"In the last couple of years, a transformation has taken place. Whitehaven is now my favourite town in all Cumbria, nay all Britain, all Europe. Its magnificent harbour has been cleaned up. The Georgian streets and houses, built when Whitehaven became the world's first planned town, are now sparkling.
New restaurants and bars are opening and new museums have been created."
Whitehaven has won many awards in recent years, ranging from Heritage Awards to 'In Bloom' Awards reflecting the pride that the local community have in their town.
A growing tourist destination, Whitehaven has many new attractions.
The towns connections with the USA and its industrial past form the basis for The Rum Story, The Beacon and Haig Mining Museum.
[Attractions]
Aspects of the town's past links to the Mining, Rum, Slave, Navy trades are reflected thoughout the town, in obvious and not so obvious ways. There are many interesting and quirky themed scultures around the harbour area, mosiacs within the streets featuring different aspects of the heritage, plaques on buildings giving key facts that form Heritage Trails and a wall mural as in Washington Square.
Many cyclists can been seen throughout the year beginning the famous C2C cycle route, or you can just watch cyclists dipping their front wheel in the water to begin their journey.
First stamp for the route is available from the Espresso Café in the Market Place.
For the athletic among you, head of Whitehaven Sports Centre which is situated next to the Bridges Retail Park opposite the Whitehaven Castle, where you can access the excellent facilities on offer.
Or head up to the beautifully landscaped Whitehaven Golf Course just out of town near Red Lonning. Established in 1999, the Golf Club is a great place to go to see the views of Ennerdale valley, have a meal as well as to take in a round of golf! [Sport and Leisure]