This Georgian town, situated on the west coast of Cumbria was one of the first post -renaissance planned towns in the country, today it retains the charm that led to its inclusion as one of the fifty one 'gem towns' selected in 1965 by the British Council for Archaeology as being worthy of special care in preservation and development, 'so splendid and so precious that ultimate responsibility for them should be a national concern'.
Seven miles from the Lake District National Park, Whitehaven enjoys commanding views and easy access to the northern fells but has a very different character to the nearby Lakeland towns and villages. A sleepy fishing hamlet for many centuries Whitehaven grew rapidly in the 17th and 18th centuries to become one of the most important ports in the country. Please visit the History section for more information.
Whitehaven today is once again thriving. The historic harbour still has its fishing fleet and is also a successful marina for leisure craft. A number of attractions in the town celebrate its rich and varied history . Many people each year visit as part of the Coast to Coast walk which starts in nearby St Bees or dip their bike wheels in the sea at Whitehaven to start or finish the C 2 C bicycle ride. Tens of thousands visit the biennial maritime festival which attracts 'tall ships'and enthusiasts from around the world.
