Seaside towns in the Lake District
Cumbria’s Lake District may be famous for its lakes, fells and mountainous landscapes, but it is also home to picturesque seaside towns which attract visitors from all over the UK. Some of the most attractive seaside towns in the Lake District 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.
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.
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.
Ravenglass
Ravenglass was an important coastal base for the Romans, who occupied this part of the Cumbria for over 300 years. It 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.
If you are planning to explore seaside towns in the Lake District, why not base yourself in a Windermere spa hotel and enjoy the best of both worlds.