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 6JF, CA28 9RJ, CA28 7HX, CA28 7QN, CA28 9QJ, CA28 6BP, CA28 8QX, CA28 9QA, CA28 9BN … See all