Whitehaven
a potted history
Whitehaven is an elegant Georgian town that was once the third largest port in the country with trading links to rum, sugar, tobacco and some early connections with the slave trade! The development of Whitehaven owes much to the Lowther family, it was Sir John Lowther, inspired by Christopher Wren's designs for rebuilding London after the Great Fire of 1666, who laid out the original grid system of streets and specified the type of houses to be built. The town was the home of George Washington's grandmother as well as being the site of the only attack on British soil by US forces led by John Paul Jones in 1778. Whitehaven was once home to prosperous trading merchants and sea captains and is now undergoing an extensive long-term restoration project. The town has numerous cafes and restaurants as well as a good range of public houses. There are over 250 historic buildings in Whitehaven along with numerous visitor attractions telling the stories past of Whitehaven's history.
places of interest
The Beacon - telling the story of Whitehaven's social, industrial and maritime past.
Haig Colliery - Cumbria's last deep coal mine closed in 1986 but has been restored by volunteers.
The Rum Story - Whitehaven's newest all weather attraction tells the tale of the U.K. rum trade from the authentic 18th century premises of Jefferson's, the country's oldest family of wine merchants.
eating places
Espresso Coffee Bar - 22 Market Place, Whitehaven tel: 01946 591548
Food, drinks and take-aways, the Espresso is also a stamping point on the C2C
Birkett Fencing & Garden Centre Cafe - Chapel Row, Rowrah - tel: 01946 863028
Less than 3 minutes off the track at milemarker 9. Open 7 days a week from 9.30-5pm weekdays/ Saturdays as well as 10.00-3.30pm Sundays.
We serve a fantastic range of home-made cakes & scones, hot and cold sandwiches, jacket potatoes, full breakfasts as well as packed lunches for you to take away.
cycle shops
Ainfield Cycle Centre - Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor tel:01946 812427
Haven Cycles Preston - St. Garage, Whitehaven email for info: havencycles@yahoo.co.uk. Only 500 meters from start. They now have 60 high quality lightweight alloy cycles, Hybrid or Mountain bikes for hire; also repairs, accessories and cycle sales. Comprehensive Motor Trade insurance covering secure car parking for those of you travelling by car and in need of somewhere to store it, they have linked up with Tyne Valley Holidays to offer a complete package of baggage transfer, cycle collection and transport back from the finish if required. £5 per days for first 4 days; thereafter £2.50 a day.
route features
click here for a map of Whitehaven
After dipping your back wheel in the Irish Sea (compulsory!) travel a short distance through town (the route can be tricky to follow here so be careful) before joining the Whitehaven to Ennerdale cycle path. This railway was built in the late 1850's to carry coal and iron but was closed in the late 1940's and part of this route now contains an extensive arts programme of sculptures. The Lake District mountains soon come into view as you cycle through villages such as Lamplugh and travel along the side of Loweswater. Shortly after the next village of Lorton you climb steeply to the top of Whinlatter and England's only natural mountain forest. There is an excellent visitor centre as well as tea rooms to slake your thirst. Follow the off-road section through the forest carefully and down into Thornthwaite then you take minor roads into Keswick. Be careful on the entrance into and through Keswick as the road does get very busy.
Accommodation
Run by: Chase Hotel
Privately owned Victorian former gentleman's residence in two acres of grounds. Quiet and comfortable with plenty of parking space, yet only a short stroll from the town centre. Cyclists are welcome to leave their bikes for the duration and there is a secure lock-up for bikes. Has been looking after C2Cers since the route opened.
Fax : 01946 590807
Website : www.chasewhitehaven.co.uk
Email : chase1@tms-connect.co.uk
Rooms : 23. 6S, 4T, 13D.
B&B : from £25 for groups of 10 or more; Twins/doubles £65.
Evening meal : £7 - £15
Packed lunch : from £5
Fully licensed : 0.25 miles from route
Town centre 0.25 miles : Car parking for duration
Run by: Waverley Hotel
Licensed restaurant. Privately owned hotel. Town centre location. Close to habourside.
Fax : 01946 691 577
Website : www.thewaverleyhotel.co.uk
Email : thewaverleyhotel@hotmail.com
Rooms : 10S, 5D, 6T, 3F.
B&B : from £55T. £68D. £30-£55 single. Fam (3) £70. Fam (4) £75
Packed Lunch : £5.95
Evening meal : £5.95-£15.
Distance from C2C on route : Fully licensed
Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7TS
Run by: Glenfield Guest House
Set in a conservation area close to the town centre, home from home atmosphere and specialises in real home cooking and luxury en-suite accommodation. Licensed lounge with open fire. Free wireless internet and on-line booking.
Website : www.glenfield-whitehaven.co.uk
Email : glenfieldGH@aol.com
Rooms : 1S, 2D, 1T, 2F
B&B : £30-£35. Twin room £55
Evening meal : £7.50
Packed lunch : £4.50
Distance from route : 400m
Nearest pub : 50m
AA 4-star, Welcome to Excellence Award : Food Safety Performance - 4 stars
Old Woodhouse, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 9LN
Run by: The Mansion
Friendly, relaxed and with all mod cons. Super big screen TV and swimming pool opening this year.
Fax : 01946 691270
Email : comnenus4@aol.com
Web : www.themansion-whitehaven.co.uk
Rooms : 12
B&B : From £25 - £30
Packed Lunch : £3.50
Evening Meal : £6.00-£10
On route? : 1 Km. Pub 100m
Low Moresby, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 6RX
Run by: Chestnuts
You can leave your car here for the duration. Chestnuts has a newly refurbished bedroom, king-sized bed and modern en-suite shower room. Moreseby is a small village north of Whitehaven, safe and secure parking for cars and cycles, peaceful garden where you can enjoy a relaxing evening watching owls in their aviaries before a refreshing night's sleep and good breakfast.
Email : owlmagic@tesco.net
Rooms : 2 D - 2 bunks
Months open : All year
B & B : £25
Packed lunch : £4.50 depending
secure cycle parking : yes
distance from route : 2 miles from start (on Reivers route)
Pub : 5 minutes walk along footpath
Locally inspected :
Web : www.chestnuts-whitehaven.com
Glen Ard Guest House, Inkerman Terrace, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 7TY
Run by: Glenard Guest House
Large detached family run Victorian Guest House set in its own grounds. Breakfasts from 6am for those wishing for an early start. Secure cycle storage. 0.25 from start of C2C.
e-mail : info@glenard.co.uk
home page : www.glenard.co.uk
rooms : 2D, 2S, 2T, 3F.
months open : all year
B & B : £25
evening meal : no
packed lunch : £4
distance from route : 0.25 miles
pub : 5 minutes walk
:
Run by: Read Guest House
Elegant 18th century house in the town centre offering 10 twin rooms well suited for groups. Ideal at weekends as it tends to be booked during the week. This house - in fact two houses knocked into one - was built by the Whitehaven artist, Mathias Read, whose paintings captured much of the town's splendour in its Georgian heyday. Surrounded by pubs and restaurants, this is an ideal start point for weekend C2Cers.
Website :
Email : ukbsolutions@msn.com
Rooms : 10T
B&B : £25 - no single occupancy tariff
Secure bike storage : Restaurant and pubs all round
Distance from start : 200m
Tarn Flatt Hall, Sandwith, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 9UX
Run by: Tarn Flatt Barn
Traditional sandstone barn on a working farm. 1 mile from Sandwith and 3 miles from Whitehaven. Basic communal accommodation for 12 visitors. Sleeping on raised wooden platform, coin operated shower. 2 WCs. Wood burning stove. Parking for cars and bikes, also long stay parking available.
e-mail : stay@tarnflattfarm.co.uk
home page : www.tarnflattfarm.co.uk
bed only price : £7
months open : all year
secure cycle parking : yes
distance from route : 3 miles
pub : 1 mile