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Tourism
An area of natural beauty, fabulous food,
creative culture and amazing sport
With some of the most stunning locations
in the Lake
District National Park and an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty within its boundaries, Allerdale has much to
offer those who enjoy the outdoor life, whether they want
to explore on foot, or go
cycling, wild swimming, horse riding or dog walking. In
June 2016, it played host to The Lakesman, the Lake
District's first long distance triathlon, and the Tour of Britain will return to
the area for a third time on Monday 5 September.
This area is perfect for wildlife seekers,
thanks to a number of unspoilt
nature reserves including coastal and wetland. Allerdale's
great location means you can spend the morning up a fell, then the
afternoon at the beach, with an evening by a lake.
There's plenty for foodies too - not least at the
area's wealth of traditional pubs and quality restaurants. The
Taste Cumbria food festival
takes place in Cockermouth during the last weekend of
September, with a special Christmas event in December. The
main event attracts around 40,000 people to enjoy the producers'
market, pop-up restaurant with Michelin-starred chef Simon
Rogan, and a host of expert demos and masterclasses.
If it's culture visitors are after, they
can visit one of our intimate theatres, such as The Carnegie in
Workington, Theatre by the Lake in
Keswick and the Kirkgate in Cockermouth.
There are great music events too, like April's Reboot
tribute festival in Workington, new for 2016, or Northbound Festival,
which took to the streets of Cockermouth for the first time in
August. There is a full list of leisure
and culture activities available on our
website.
Welcoming and varied towns and villages
So what makes Allerdale special? Is it the
mountains and lakes around the 'Adventure Capital' of Keswick,
the footpaths and cycle tracks at Whinlatter, England’s only true
mountain forest, or the unspoilt Solway coastline of Maryport and
Silloth? Perhaps you are here for the local
attractions, activities and events on offer, or the range of places
to eat.
And there are so many options when it comes to
places to stay - from luxury hotels to farm pods and
bothies, and all kinds of accommodation in between – there's
something to suit every budget.
Allerdale has vast expanses of open, unspoilt spaces waiting to
be explored. What’s more, it boasts plenty of beautiful buildings
in its villages and bustling market towns. Download our guide to
Allerdale's seven towns using the link at the bottom of this
page.
Whatever the reason for your visit, we hope we can inspire
you to explore the more secluded areas, as well as the Lake
District National Park.
What to do
Whether you want family fun, a romantic break,
a literary pilgrimage, an immersion in the arts, a
sporting challenge, a shopping spree or a gastronomic
adventure – there are days out for everyone. If you want to tire
out the children, there are two great attractions in Maryport -
Clip n'Climb and
Cave at the Wave. Or why
not visit one of our leisure centres.
A rich history
Since the earliest times, man has found the
area a comfortable and comforting place to live from iron age
hillforts in Borrowdale and Thirlmere; Roman forts and milefortlets
in Workington (Magis), Cockermouth (Derventio) and Maryport
(Alauna), the start of Hadrian's Wall in Bowness on Solway
(Maia); and a Viking settlement in Aspatria
(askrpatrick); to more recent industrial heritage in
Workington including the introduction of the revolutionary Bessemer
steel making process and slate mining around Keswick and
Honister.
This is the area that inspired the Romantic
Poets Coleridge and Wordsworth, who was born in Cockermouth. Today
it continues to delight with its castles, fine country houses and
countryside, wildlife and wetlands but it also encourages free
thinking and innovation which has led to numerous county firsts
including our famous festivals
and carnivals. The Lake District was also a favourite of
author Beatrix Potter, in which she based some of her works.
The Newlands Valley was home to Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and the woods and
lakeshore at Lingholm were the setting for Squirrel
Nutkin.
Enjoy your trip - and please come back
soon.