Whitehaven was just a fishing village on the Cumbrian coast until the port was developed in by the Lowther family in the 17th century to export coal from the Cumberland coalfield. In the next century it benefitted from the trade in tobacco, sugar and other products with the West Indies to become the...

Whitehaven was just a fishing village on the Cumbrian coast until the port was developed in by the Lowther family in the 17th century to export coal from the Cumberland coalfield. In the next century it benefitted from the trade in tobacco, sugar and other products with the West Indies to become the second busiest port in the country. The wealth brought to the area was demonstrated by a new town, the most complete example of a Georgian planned town in Britain. Built on a grid system, the town has over 170 listed buildings. Alongside the Old Fort and Whitehaven Castle which later became the hospital, are historic houses, shops, churches,