Workington

tourist information
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01900 606699
Workington to Sunderland 127 miles

a potted history

Workington is an ancient market and industrial town at the mouth of the River Derwent. Some parts of the town north of the River Derwent date back to Roman times and the ruins of Workington Hall once gave shelter to Mary Queen of Scots on her flight from Scotland in the 16th century. Perhaps best known for its steel making, it was here that Henry Bessemer introduced his revolutionary steel making process and the locals used to say that the world was held together by the railway tracks made in their steelworks and exported throughout the world. Workington is the areas main shopping centre as well as having a thriving commercial port and with pubs, restaurants and cafes to cater for your every need your trip should get off to a good start.

places of interest

Workington Hall - built around a 14th century pele tower and was at one time one of the finest manor houses in the region. Now a striking ruin and home of the Ghost of 'Galloping Harry' Curwen murdered in 1623.

Helena Thompson museum - the museum is housed in a listed mid-Georgian building boasting an exhibition gallery and heritage centre.

cycle shops

Bike Bank - 6, Market Place, Workington Tel: 01900 603337

route features click here for a map of Workington
Workington is the more northerly starting point of the C2C and has gentler gradients on the way to Keswick than compared with starting at Whitehaven. The distance from Workington to Keswick is also shorter than from Whitehaven, however this is tempered by the fact that Workington has more heavy industry on view and thus might not be every ones ideal start.
You leave Workington only after following the time honoured C2C tradition of dipping your back wheel in the Irish Sea, then, and only then, can you start the trip by riding the short distance through town (watch out for the narrow bridge near the start and the dropp into the harbour almost at the start!) and onto the cycle path leading to Camerton, from here its a pleasant ride on quiet country roads, roughly following the path of the River Derwent to Cockermouth.