In addition to it`s historic past, Whitehaven offers numerous facilities for the visitor.......

SHOPPING.., browse around the varied and interesting shops, including MICHAEL MOON'S ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSHOP (6), the largest in the county, or R & H JEFFERSON (7), established in 1785. The oldest family-owned wine and spirit merchants in the country Or visit our TOWN MARKET (8) which runs twice weekly on Thursday and Saturday. Researching your family tree?
Visit Whitehaven's Cumbria Record Office (9) - you'll need a Reader's Ticket.

EATING & DRINKING... with It's maritime past Whitehaven naturally has many old and interesting public houses,these are complemented by a number of small and individual cafes, coffee shops and restaurants. These offer a wide range of food to suit every taste.

THEATRE & EXHIBITIONS.., a mile from the town and surrounded by countryside is the small but elegant ROSEHILL THEATRE. Opened in 1959, it offers an exciting year round programme of
music, drama, film and children's shows. THE CIVIC HALL (10) in the centre of town also presents shows and events, and for lovers of art, THE BEACON has the HARBOUR GALLERY which offers up to six different exhibitions each year.

Feeling more energetic? Then visit WHITEHAVEN'S SPORTS CENTRE (11), open 7 days a week it offers a wide range of activities for all ages. West Cumbria's best-equipped swimming pool is located on the outskirts of town and provides superb facilities for families and all age groups. If you prefer walking then why not try part, or all of the Coastal Walk - you could walk along the cliff tops with the amazing views over the Irish Sea and visit Sr. Bees Bird Sanctuary For cyclists there is the Sustrans C2C cycleway stretching from Whitehaven to Sunderland, or explore some of the cycle paths in the immediate area. Cycle hire is available in the town.
So don't forget to put aside at least a day to visit Whitehaven, where the best is yet to come!

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MY HOME TOWN WHITEHAVEN

Welcome i hope you like what you see. I have quite a lot of interests like Computers , Sports and Comedy`s like Only Fools and Horses and Game on, i also like anything to do with Ufo`s and the unexplained. Some of The Sports i like are Football, and Horse Racing, The Football team that i support are Manchester City " No Laughing Please". If you are interested in any of the above please feel free to e-mail me, you will find lots of  links to some of my favourite web sites in the Resources & links page.I live in the Lake District in Cumbria in a small town called Whitehaven. The Photo above is of my Home Town, if you would like to see more click the photo above. You will find out more about the Lake District in the rest of my Homepage. I also have quite a lot of  links to Comedy, Sport and Space you will find other links also i hope you like them.

WELCOME to the west Cumbrian town of Whitehaven - situated on the coast between the sparkling sea and the magnificent Lakeland Fells. There is a lot to do here. Plenty to see and places to visit and enjoy! .

Whitehaven was one of the first planned towns in England. based on the grid design of Sir Christopher Wren and built by the Lowther family. A walk around the town centre soon reveals its unique charm. with around 250, mostly Georgian, listed buildings. Many of these have been tastefully restored. Whitehaven also has some beautiful parks and gardens and justly deserves its reputation as an English `GEM` town.

It may seem surprising today, but in the mid 18th century. Whitehaven was a larger port than Liverpool, ranking only after London and Bristol. THE HARBOUR (1) dates from 1634 with the building of the first pier. It expanded rapidly during the next 200 years - until 1876 when the Queen's dock was opened. Whitehaven's prosperity was based on shipbuilding. But more importantly. The export of coal and the import of tobacco from America, with rum and sugar from the West Indies. There is an early connection with the slave trade and people settling in America.

Many families sailed to a new life from this harbour with their last view of England being Whitehaven. Today. A quiet stroll around the pleasant and extensive harbour area provides
evidence of Whitehaven's important role in past commerce and trade (the Cunard Shipping Line started here).

Whitehaven Marina will evolve over the next few years and will provide secure berthing for 400 craft in an attractive waterside environment. Once more the harbour will be full of ships with masts and sails.

Did you know that it was in Whitehaven that the last attempt to invade the English mainland was made in 1772. This was during the American War of Independence, when John Paul Jones (known as the father of the American Navy) raided the town. Little was achieved during the attack, but near the old fort two of the cannon, spiked during the raid, can still be seen (2).

This was not the last attack in the town's history as Parton. Which is just along the coast, was hit by a torpedo from a German submarine during the Second World War. Once again the casualties were low, on this occasion just one dog!

ST NICHOLAS' CHURCH (3) in the town centre dates from 1693. And was rebuilt in 1883. In 1971 a fire destroyed the Nave and Sanctuary, but the remaining tower has become a centre for both local people and visitors. It is surrounded by a won-derful flower garden - which has been central to the town winning Cumbria in Bloom and reaching the finals of Britain in Bloom. In the central area is the Washington Memorial Plaque dedicated to Mildred Gale. George Washington's grandmother. Who is buried in the churchyard. ST JAMES' (4) is another outstanding church - built in 1752 to a design by the mining engineer. Carlyle Spedding. The architectural historian Pevsner rates it the finest Georgian church interior in the county

The story of the town's social, industrial and maritime heritage is told in THE BEACON (5). Situated on the harbourside. The award winning attraction uses audiovisuals, characters, and graphics. Interactive displays and objects from the local Museum collection to bring Whitehaven's history alive! You can also monitor, forecast and Broadcast the weather in the Met. Office Weather Gallery and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the town, harbour and Scottish hills.

WHITEHAVEN TOWN TRAIL

A full trail leaflet is available from The Beacon or The Whitehaven Tourist Information Centre.

Infromation in this page taken from free leaflets from the Whitehaven Tourist Information Centre.