Walk this way... Whitehaven to Moresby

Walk in the windswept footsteps of Cumbria's miners, then warm up with the local speciality, sticky toffee pudding

From Whitehaven station, go straight ahead and then left behind the Tesco petrol station. Turn left again onto the Wagon Way. Stop off at the William Pit memorial, which commemorates the 104 miners who lost their lives in the 1947 pit disaster. Follow the cycleway for a mile around Redness Point before rejoining the road near Parton, heading into the village. Continue on the road uphill opposite the village hall, crossing the old bowling green before following the stone wall to Moresby Church. Extend your return walk from the station to include the historic harbour and marina.

 

Why go? The walk offers a mix of ancient history, rich flora and fauna, and spectacular viewpoints out to the Irish Sea, the Solway Firth and the Isle of Man. Parton village, surrounded by the railway and cliffs, was an important Roman port, serving the fort on the headlands. It also takes in part of the Cumbria Coastal Way.


How long will it take? The circular walk is three to four miles long. Allow three hours to see everything, including the pit ruins.

Stamina required? This is a pretty easy walk along mostly surfaced paths.

Refuelling option: In Whitehaven, head for Zest Harbourside, where the emphasis is on local, seasonal produce, such as Cumbrian lamb and sausages. Be sure to leave room for the Cumbrian classic - sticky toffee pudding with rich toffee sauce (01946 66981, www.zestwhitehaven.com).

 
What else is there to see? The newly revamped Beacon Museum is a showpiece for the town's seafaring and mining heritage (01946 592302, www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk). The town's Rum Story attraction uncorks the history of Jefferson's Rum and its links to Whitehaven's maritime trade; travel through a tropical rainforest, an African village, a slave ship and Cumbrian cottages (01946 592933, www.rumstory.co.uk)

 
Wildlife highlights? This coastline is rich in wildlife and unusual plant species, including hemp agrimony, wood vetch and dyer's greenwood.
Short-eared owls and kestrels hunt between the cliffs and the sea, and down the coastline at the St Bees Head RSPB reserve, you'll find the only place in England where black guillemot breed.

 
And for the kids? Don't miss a visit to the nearby Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, known as La'al Ratty, the Lake District's longest and
most spectacular steam railway (01229 717171, www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk).

 
Getting there: Whitehaven Railway Station is on the scenic Cumbrian Coast Line, which runs from Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle (www.northernrail.co.uk). There are mainline connections from Carlisle, Lancaster and Oxenholme.

 
Where to stay: Lowther House is a newly converted Victorian property with views over the harbour. The stylish accommodation has impressive interiors based on historic Whitehaven (01946 63169, www.lowtherhouse-whitehaven.com).

 
Tourist Information: Whitehaven TIC (01946 852939); www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk;
www.golakes.co.uk; www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

 

OS MAPS Explorer 303 Whitehaven and Workington. Click here for the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map Service to see your chosen area online

 

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