Cumbria is best known for its beautiful scenery and fantastic walking. However, there is much more to the Lake District than meets the eye! Here are some of West Cumbria's main tourist attractions:
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Muncaster Castle
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Whitehaven Harbour
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The Rum Story
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Sellafield Visitors Centre
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Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
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The Beacon Heritage Centre
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Gosforth Pottery
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Village Shops
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Lakes & Mountains
Muncaster Castle, Tel:01229 717614
Muncaster Castle is owned by the Frost-Penningtons, and has been a family run business for many years. The Castle can be visited for a great day out, at reasonable prices and with fantastic facilities. The gardens are spectacular, with many rhododendrons and trees. Visitors can take a tour of the castle, visit Max the Meadowvole, and there are many other activities such as nature trails suitable for any age. Another attraction within the grounds is the World Owl Trust, which is concerned with the breeding and upkeep of many rare and endangered owls. Visitors can also "Meet the Owls" in a display which is given at 2:30pm every day. The superb team of staff will guarantee that you have a brilliant day! Highly recommended.
Click here for the Muncaster Website.
Whitehaven Harbour
The harbour at Whitehaven has been undergoing a great deal of change in the past few years. This has lead to brand new visitor attractions and a marina. Whitehaven was also featured in The Times top 10 tourist coast destinations in 2000. The harbour was featured in the BBC news this year as it froze over during the spell of cold weather!
The Rum Story
The Rum Story is a new addition to Whitehaven. It tells an interactive story of how rum used to be shipped to Whitehaven. Facilities include a cafe and a gift shop.
Sellafield Visitors Centre, Tel:01946 727027
The Visitors Centre has been completely refurbished and reopened in June 2002. This attraction is highly recommended.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Tel:01229 717171
This miniature railway is a favourite with the locals and tourists alike. The train travels from Ravenglass to Eskdale, winding through the mountains and lakes. Prices are very reasonable, and this trip is highly suitable for children.
Click here for more information.
The Beacon Heritage Centre, Tel:01946 592302
The Beacon tells the story of Whitehaven through history. It focuses on the time when Whitehaven was one of the most important ports in England. Children are very welcome.
Gosforth Pottery, Tel:01946 725296
The pottery sells a wide range of ceramics. It is also the Tourist Information Centre for the village. They run a variety of courses throughout the year, to suit both the amateur and the professional potter.
Click here for the Pottery website.
The Village Shops
Gosforth has a wide range of shops, including an Arts and Crafts shop, a Hobby Shop and an Antiques Shop. The shops tend to be geared towards tourists, with many souvenirs available, but there are also shops for the villagers. These provide everyday provisions, and so are very useful for self-catering holidays.
