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Whitehaven coast walk

This Georgian town was once one of England's largest ports, second to London.

Trade with Europe, Scandinavia and the Americas brought tobacco, sugar cane and rum to the town, which in turn sent off coal and steel.

The maritime heritage in Whitehaven can be seen on almost every street corner and with the harbour recently undergoing a major regeneration, this is a place where you can sample life in the 18th century with 21st century comforts.

Our guides are retired harbour master Capt. David Allan and local historian Mr Joe Bragg MBE*.

They will help us guide you through the harbour of modern times as well as historic, and take you round Whitehaven's cobbled streets where the Georgian architecture only tells the start of the tales.

Our walk will begin in the harbour, taking us from the marina past the fish hall.

Crossing the sea lock we are also crossing into the oldest part of the harbour, where the root of theΜύOld Quay was built in 1634.

With the help of John Paul Jones, the man who in 1778Μύ tried to raid the harbour, we walk past the Beacon Centre, which offers an excursion from our walk, filled with more maritime information, past and present.

Next we walk into town and set our sights on the Market Place, complete with town crier on market days.

Our stop after that is the oldest Georgian town house in Whitehaven, the Gale mansion, located on 151 Queen Street.

On cobbled streets, we make our way to the Trinity Gardens and Labyrinth where you will be able to have a bit of a rest and wander through the ancient headstones from the 19th century graveyard.

Following that, we walk to St Nicholas Tower and gardens, the only part remaining of the St Nicholas Church which burnt down in 1971.

If you've ever wondered how rum is made, Whitehaven's Rum Story will most definitely tell you. It also tells of the story of the Jefferson family, the oldest family in the UK to import wine and spirits.

Our last stop takes back to the harbour and we end our Maritime Whitehaven walk out on Crow's Nest where you'll have a great view of the harbour and sea front.

Before you set off, have a look at our webcam located at the top of the Beacon centre.

The bird's eye view can help you decide what to wear as the weather in Whitehaven can't always be relied upon.

*Please note that there are no official guides provided for this walk. The guides used in this feature were local experts who offered their expertise to help us put together this feature. This is not an official Whitehaven walk, it has been put together for information and enjoyment only, and will not be recognised by local tourism agencies.