Coastal towns in the Lake District
Famous for its lakes, landscapes and mountains, the Lake District is one of the most popular destinations in the its coastal towns and villages are also well worth exploring. Some of the most popular Lake District towns and villages by the sea include:
Seascale
Seascale is the only village on the Cumbrian coast, and was once a Roman settlement. The village was once a favourite seaside resort with Victorian visitors, who believed the fresh sea and mountain air would benefit their health. Since the early days of tourists travel to the Lake District, Seascale was accessed by the Furness West Coast Railway Company.
Modern attractions include: golf, bowling, local cricket and a beautiful coastline, offering views over to the Isle of Man. The Water Tower is a listed building which was used before Seascale had a proper water supply to pump water to the Banks, from a large tank on the hill. Visitors with plenty of time on their hands should explore the nearby villages which boast some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Lake District.
Muncaster Castle is also worth a visit, with its 77 acres of gardens, world owl centre, maze and playground, and the Millom Folk Museum, which documents the history of Millom and the Seascale Golf Club, with an 18-hole course, practice range and putting greens. This is also a great place to bring the kids, as there are plenty of attractions for all the family.
Solway Firth
The West coast takes you through many historic towns and villages, and the area is renowned for spectacular sunsets, and peaceful surroundings. Many visitors to the area come to escape the crowds of the busier Lake District resorts, and to enjoy the wildlife, flora and fauna.Situated on the shores of the Solway Firth, facing southern Galloway, Silloth has a backdrop of fells and open countryside, and is known for its mild climate, and the peace and quiet that surrounds it. The Green is a 36-acre grassy area in the middle of town which attracts many visitors.The name of Silloth was derived from Cistercian Monks at Holme Cultram Abbey in Abbeytown, Silloth, and was named after the sea lathes in which grain was once stored.
The hamlet was painted by famous landscape artist, Turner, and is also situated on the Cumbria Coastal Way and the Cumbria Cycle Way. Some of the best places to visit in the Solway Firth with the family include: Paramount Amusements, with a soft play area for kids, Solway Firth Discovery Centre, with its family-friendly museum and the Gincase Craft Barn at Silloth, with its farm park and tea rooms.
Maryport and Workington
Maryport was once known as the most attractive harbour towns in the UK, and the town has many industrial markings from Roman, Georgian and Victorian times.One of the town´s famous residents was Henry Ismay, who founded the White Star Line, builders of the Titanic, and was born in Maryport in 1837.
Nowadays, some of the most popular attractions include the Senhouse Museum, which is thought to have been one of the largest Roman forts in the North of England, and also the cliff top Roman fort of Alauna. Both Maryport and Workington were both important industrial towns during the industrial revolution, and were built up on coal, iron and steel mining. Industry in the towns prospered because of their close proximity to Ireland, and major Irish cities, including Dublin, were built off the back of Cumbrian coal.
A great place to take the kids is the Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport, the Maryport Maritime Museum with exhibitions about the Titanic and the Bounty, and the Senhouse Roman Museum, with interesting artefacts. The West Coast Indoor Karting track, and the Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre with stables are also worth a visit, and include a pet´s corner for kids. Another recommended day out is the Monkey Madhouse at Workington, which is a play area with free parking, and Go Higher Mountaineering at Distington specialises in outdoor pursuits for the more adventurous. If you prefer to stay closer to the ground, take a trip around the Helena Thompson Museum.
Whitehaven
Whitehaven was planned and built by Sir John Lowther, who was inspired by Christoper Wren´s designs for the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666. Streets were designed in a grid pattern, with St. Nicholas Church sitting in the middle. Owing to the shallow waters of the Solway, the prosperity of Whitehaven declined, which limited the size of ships entering the harbour. The deeper water ports at Liverpool and Glasgow prospered at Whitehaven´s expense.
Popular attractions in Whitehaven include: The Rum Story, which is a family-friendly museum,dedicated to the history of rum-making, The Haig Colliery Mining Museum, the last of Cumbria´s deep coal mines, The Beacon, which documents the history and industry of Whitehaven, and Whitehaven Marine Adventures, which includes a 90-minute boat ride to the nature reserves of St.Bees.
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness offers visitors a wealth of activities, facilities and amenities to suit all ages. If you are visiting Barrow for the first time, make the most of the excellent pubs, restaurants, sports venues, entertainment and sandy beaches.
Surrounded by stunning Lake District countryside, nearby Walney Island is connected to Barrow by a small bridge, and lies between the Duddon and Morecambe Bay Estuaries. With a long history of ship-building, Barrow was once known for constructing large naval warships.The sand dunes, shingle, open pools and mudflats are typical of the Morecambe Bay environment, and Walney is home to Europe´s largest colony of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Barrow is close to Morecambe Bay, which lies to the south, and the Duddon Estuary, which lies to the north. Special attractions include the ancient market town of Dalton, with its fascinating shops and sights, including the South Lakes Wild Animal Centre, Hollywood Park Multiplex Cinema and Forum 28, which is an award-winning theatre. You can also find a choice of riding centres in the region, plus bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.
Ulverston
One of the most popular market towns in the Lake District, Ulverston offers visitors plenty of things to see and do.Birthplace of Stan Laurel, from the famous comedy duo, Laurel and Hardy, Ulverston is historically part of Lancashire, and lies just north of Morecambe Bay. The most visible landmark is the Hoad Monument, which was built in 1850 to commemorate the statesman and local resident, Sir John Barrow.
Ulverston is also home to some popular attractions, including The Lantern, which is a contemporary arts centre, specialist shops, gourmet restaurants, cafés and tearooms and some of the most celebrated old inns in the Lake District. Coarse fishing is available on Ulverston Canal and Sandhall Ponds, and the area attracts keen fishermen from all over the UK, who come to catch pike, trench and carp. Take time to have a look around the Laurel and Hardy Museum. Stott Park Bobbin Mill and Ulverston Heritage Centre are also worth a visit.
Ravenglass
Ravenglass was an important coastal base for the Romans, who occupied this part of the Cumbria for over 300 years. Ravenglass was also a busy port in the Middle Ages, when goods were imported across the Irish Sea. Ravenglass thrived from 1208, when King John signed a charter to create a market village.
Once home to over 1,000 Roman soldiers, the fort of Glannaventa is one of the biggest remaining Roman buildings of its kind in England. The Roman road from Ravenglass led up to Hard Knott Fort in Upper Eskdale, and on to a third port in Ambleside.The market closed down after most of the village trade was taken over by smugglers in the 1800s, and Ravenglass once again became a sleepy village with a shingle beach and a cobbled square in its centre.
The miniature Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway attracts many visitors to the area, and it was first used in the 19th Century to bring iron ore, mined in Eskdale, to Ravenglass for onward distribution. This is the oldest narrow gauge line in England, and travels through 7 miles of stunning countryside to Dalegarth at the top of the Eskdale Valley.
If you want to take your time to explore the railway, at the Ravenglass terminus, there is a museum with an in-depth history of the railway, with memorabilia, models and photographs and free admission.
Other Ravenglass attractions include the Millenium Garden, designed with the help of local schoolchildren, where a cobble mosaic represents local history.
Wasdale is just a fifteen minute car journey away from Ravenglass, and is home to Scafell Pike, England´s highest mountain, and Wastwater, the region´s deepest lake. If you want to have lunch near the station, pop into the Ratty Arms, enjoy some good Cumbrian dishes, and have a look at the station memorabilia.
