Workington
Departure Route
Workington heading for Cockermouth
The route starts from the lighthouse. You get there by turning down Curwen Road on the industrial estate. From the lighthouse turn left onto the railway bridge just by the sailing club, then (briefly) follow the path by the side of the river Derwent.
Bear left at the next railway bridge, crossing the line at the road junction, where you turn right. At the main road go right and under the sandstone bridge where you meet the walkway/cycle path which then bears left, heading out of the industrial part of Workington past the lagoon and up through Seaton.
Follow the route through Camerton, briefly joining the river again, skirting Broughton Moor and on through Great Broughton and Papcastle, once the site of a Roman fort. You are now on the edge of Cockermouth.
About the town
European funding is being used to help restore this fine working town and there are high hopes that its resurgence will bring with it tourism and a new lease of life, as has happened in Whitehaven and Maryport further up the coast. Work on the town centre finished in 2007 after two years of mayhem and now there are new shops and a fine new silver municipal clock. There are some splendid examples of Georgian architecture and some powerful industrial heritage. Workington is an ancient market and industrial town at the mouth of the River Derwent. Parts of it date back to Roman times but it was not until the 18th century, with the exploitation of local iron ore and coal, that Workington expanded to become a major industrial town and port.
In this respect its growth mirrors that of its neighbour, Whitehaven eight miles down the coast. Iron and steel manufacturing have always been part of Workington's raison d'être, and it was here that Henry Bessemer first introduced his revolutionary steel making process, florally commemorated in this picture. In recent years, with the decline of the steel industry and coal mining, the town has had to diversify and with the refurbishment of the town centre it is ready to welcome tourists to its heart. The advantage of starting here is that the opening leg of the journey is seven miles shorter, has gentler gradients and passes through the Georgian market town of Cockermouth. It is also close to, and goes through, Camerton, where the church sits prettily on the banks of the Derwent and the splendidly named Black Tom Inn beckons alluringly to passers-by. It has some nice churches. The parish church of St Michael's has been on its present site since the 7th century, although the 12th century Norman church was replaced in 1770 by a larger building. Sadly this was severely damaged by fire in 1994, but has since undergone a major rebuilding programme. St John's Church was built in 1823 to commemorate the battle of Waterloo, to a design by Thomas Hardwick. It is built of local sandstone, and bears some resemblance to Inigo Jones's St Paul's Church in Covent Garden, London.
Workington Tourist Information Centre 01900 606699
Places of Interest
Workington Hall Workington Hall is built around a pele tower dating from the 14th century, and was once one of the finest manor houses in the region.
This striking ruin, once owned by the Curwen family, Lords of the Manor of Workington, gave shelter to Mary Queen of Scots on her last flight from Scotland before her imprisonment and execution.
It is said to be haunted by Henry Curwen, who sunk the nearby Jane Pit in the 19th century, the remains of which can be seen at nearby Mossbay.
Town Museum
The Helena Thompson Museum was bequeathed to the people of Workington by the eponymous Miss Thompson, a local philanthropist, in 1940. It houses displays of pottery, silver, glass, and furniture dating from Georgian times, as well as the social and industrial history of Workington and the surrounding area.
Where to eat
Impressions, 173 Vulcans Lane. 01900 605 446
Super Fish, 20 Pow Street Sit-in or takeaway. 01900 604 916
Blue Dolphin, 1 Lismore Place Sit-in or t-away. 01900 604114
Carnegie Colours Cafe, Finkle Street Home-cooking. 01900 605743
Treats, 26 Finkle Street Good cafe. 01900 871752
The Old Townhouse, Portland Square. Upmarket. 01900 871332
Tarantella, 15-19 Wilson Street Good new Italian. 0871 5297487
Cycle Shops
Bike Bank, 18-20 Market Place. 01900 603 337
Halfords, Derwent Howe Retail Park. 01900 601 635
Accommodation
| Morven House Hotel, Siddick Road, Workington, Cumbria CA14 1LE | |
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Right at the start of the C2C and close to the finish of the Reivers, the Morven is relaxed and well fit for purpose. All bedrooms are en-suite, comfortable. Large detached house with car park and secure cycle storage. You can leave your cars until you return if you wish. |
Run by: Mrs Caroline Nelson 
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Telephone : 01900 602118 |
Rooms : 2D, 6T (all en-suite) |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Armidale Cottages, 29 High Seaton, CA14 1PD | |
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Just a few hundred yards from the track and five minutes from the start/finish, Armidale is set in half an acre of land with a small orchard. The cottage has wood burning stoves in the lounge and dining room and is centrally heated throughout. There are slate floors in the lounge and hall with wood floors in the dining room and bedroom. Great breakfast and top end accommodation. Credit cards now accepted. Also handy for the Hadrian Way. |
Run by: Susan and Fred Dahl 
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Tel : 01900 63704 |
Rooms : 2D |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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