The southernmost town on the Solway Firth, Maryport has a history inextricably linked with the sea, and it is the combined attractions of that history and the sea that draw visitors to the town today. The Romans settled the area during their occupation of Britain, building a significant fort, Alauna, just to the north of the present town. This was erected in the second century AD at the western extreme of Hadrian’s Wall, and a substantial town is said to have developed around it. The town today has an excellent museum, the Senhouse Roman Museum, recalling those times. The Vikings settled the area long after the Romans had departed, making use as had the Romans of the harbour at the mouth of the river Ellen that gave the town its original name, Ellenfoot. This was changed by the man who developed the place from a fishing hamlet to an industrial and port town of substance in the 18th century. Humphrey Senhouse, a member of the great landowning family in the area, obtained Parliamentary permission in 1849 to develop what was really a new town, built on a gridiron plan like neighbouring Whitehaven. He developed the harbour, foundries, docks and shipyards, and in 1791 was allowed by Parliament to name the place after his wife, Mary, although he had in fact already done so by 1756. Shipbuilding and the port which served the coal and iron industries in the area, were major employers for almost two centuries. The Maritime Museum and the Steamship Museum celebrate that history, the former with much information on the Titanic, linked to the town because White Star Line founder Thomas Ismay hailed from Maryport. A more natural link to marine life is found in the Lake District Coast Aquarium in the town. For a closer link still the town’s small fishing fleet brings the riches of the sea to shops and tables in Maryport. Maryport enjoys pleasant sandy beaches and walks along the cliffs and the sea walls that provide views of Scotland over the Firth. The town’s population of 11,000 is around half that at its industrial peak, but the legacy of those seafaring days can be enjoyed in its museums and marina, or just by walking around the Georgian and Victorian streets.
Attraction
Lake District Coast Aquarium Maryport
Maryport Maritime Museum
Senhouse Roman Museum
Care Home
Church
St John's the Evangelist's Church
Dentist
I Steele
Maryport Dental Care Centre
Doctor
Maryport Group Practice
Slinger Dr K N A
Golf Club
Holiday Park
Pub and Bar
Bounty Inn
Broom Vaults Inn
Captain Nelson
Captain Nelson Tavern
Crown Inn
Kings Arms
Leo's
Ploughman
Royal Victoria Inn
Stag Inn
Station Inn
Restaurant
Bounty Inn
Captain Nelson
Crown Inn
Harbour Restaurant
Ploughman
Sailors Return
Stag Inn
Solicitor
Brockbank Curwen Cain & Hall Ltd
Milburns
Taxi
Airport Services Cumbria
Cooters Cabs
Geoff's Cabs
Keiths Kabs
Waffys Private Hire
Sports Clubs
Glasson Rangers ARLFC (Rugby League)
Maryport ARLFC (Rugby League)
Shops
Elbra Mini Market
John Nicholson
Walsh Butchers
Alneburgh Pharmacy Ltd
HS Dobie Chemists
The Fruit Bowl
Time To
Activities
Four Points West Sailing School(Water Sports)
Places to Stay near Maryport
Armidale Cottages Bed & Breakfast (3.59 miles)
Broughton Craggs Hotel (4.05 miles)
Family-run country house hotel set in 3 acres of delightful grounds, overlooking Derwent Valley and the Fells beyond. Broughton Craggs provides a warm, friendly service and has won various Silver ... More
The Old Ginn House (4.45 miles)
The Old Ginn House has been successfully converted from a 17th century farm to a charming village inn. The inn offers quality en-suite accommodation, including a luxury suite, great food, a ... More
Waverley Hotel (5.28 miles)
The Waverley Hotel, Workington, offers quality, exceptional value accommodation with a wide variety of room styles. The Waverley Hotel is situated in the historic coastal town of Workington, Cumbria.
The Waverley Hotel ... More | visit website
Ditton Lodge (5.67 miles)
Manor House Hotel (6.17 miles)
Travelodge Cockermouth (6.36 miles)
Travelodge Cockermouth is located in the Western Lake District approximately 1 mile to the south of Cockermouth town centre at the junction of the A5086 and A66 trunk road. Close by you will find Wordsworth ... More | visit website
Cumberland Lodge (6.38 miles)
Hunday Manor Country House Hotel (6.40 miles)
Delightfully situated and enjoying distant views of the Solway Firth. A large garden to relax in. This charming hotel has comfortable rooms that are well-furnished. Some of the spacious rooms have been ... More
Allerdale Court Hotel (6.46 miles)
Now family owned and run, we pride ourselves on warm hospitality, good food and the constant attention to detail that are the hallmarks of The Allerdale Court’s friendly and dedicated staff. We have 21 en-suite ... More | visit website
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