Walk
188 Maryport to Workington (Cumbria)
(Fourth
leg of English coastal walk – Gretna Green to Chester) 2
Map:
L/R 89
Distance:
9 miles or 14 km approx
Difficulty:
fairly easy for the most part
Terrain:
coastal path, some road
Access:
Parking in each location
Public
transport: 31 and 30 buses go frequently between the two towns
It
is worth walking out on the harbour arm at Maryport to get good views before following
the path around the marina. The town was built by the Senhouse family
in the 18th century and Humphrey Senhouse named it after
his wife Mary. It became an industrial port with the development of
coal mining and the export of coal to Ireland and around the coast.
The old Maryport to Carlisle Railway (1870-1927) enabled coal and
iron products to be moved efficiently in and out of the port.
If
you have time, the Maritime Museum at Maryport is good to learn more about the town.
There is reference to Fletcher Christian here (mutiny of/on the
Bounty) who he lived nearby. Many other interesting facts about the
town can be discovered including the story of Thomas Ismay, founder
of the White Star Line which built the Titanic.
In
front of the museum is an interesting sculpture of fishermen by local
craftsman Colin Telfer. He is the first artist to use iron ore in a
sculpture, calling this one, 'A Fishy Tale'. The ore comes from
Egremont near Whitehaven.
Look
out for Elizabeth dock (which was named after Henry Senhouse's
daughter) and the plaque marking the loss of three Maryport fishermen
off Scotland in 2009. A major three day blues festival is held in the
town and has attracted such artists as Jools Holland, Dionne Warwick
and Chuck Berry.
Follow
the path, which runs parallel with the beach, south out of Maryport.
After a couple of miles you reach the old village of Flimby. The shoe
firm New Balance has a factory here.
The
walk between here and Workington is marked by a land wind farm and
some industry. The path is clear enough but, when I went, it was a
weekend and the area was dominated by youngsters speeding up and down
on their motocross bikes. They are fast, throwing up clouds of dust and a bit scary as you hope you have been noticed.
On
the way into Workington you need to cross the River Derwent. A
policeman lost his life here directing traffic during the floods of
2009. The walk continues past the Workington Town Rugby League Club.
The ground, which is shared with
speedway, looked in poor shape to me. A
more unusual sport, based in the town since the Middle Ages is 'Uppies
and Downies'. It is a form of mob football which takes place between
far apart places in the town (the harbour and some parkland).
Injuries have been a concern!
Workington
is a port and past industries have been based on coal, steel and
vehicle manufacture. In the 2000s there was some regeneration which
included the positioning of several works of art in the town centre.
Photos show: harbour at Maryport; the walk to Workington with wind farm and motocross.
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