Built-up area in Cumberland, England
| Coordinates: | 54.542, -3.574 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | NX 98 17 |
| Population: | 24,900 |
| Dialling code: | 01946 |
Whitehaven in historic Cumberland, north-west England, sits on a deep, sheltered harbour on the edge of the Irish Sea. Founded and laid out as a planned port in the 17th and 18th centuries, the town still shows a strong Georgian grid pattern around its quays; it grew on coal exports and maritime trade and its merchants were active in the wider Atlantic economy of the period.
Today Whitehaven combines that industrial and maritime heritage with tourism and light industry: the harbour remains active while museums such as The Rum Story and preserved townscapes draw visitors. The town is a gateway to coastal walking and seabird cliffs at nearby St Bees Head, and it sits within easy reach of the Lake District, so its economy and community are a mix of local services, regeneration projects and sea‑facing leisure.
CA28 7ER, CA28 8NP, CA28 6BJ, CA28 6UB, CA28 7SH, CA28 6DX, CA28 8TG, CA28 6HG, CA28 7JN … See all