Whitehaven, Cumbria (The Essential Travel Guide)

Facing the Irish Sea in the far north west of England, historic Whitehaven was built on coal, shipping and elegant Georgian architecture. Modern Whitehaven is a revitalised town with a yacht filled harbour and a plethora of public artworks. Visit the Rum Story and the Beacon as well as meeting local artist Natalie Burns. You'll be surprised by Whitehaven, and not just because it fought back a raiding party led by John Paul Jones and his nascent American Navy. Enjoy the film and subscribe to the channel!
Filmed August 2021
Produced by Jonathan Wheeler
www.travelobscurer.com
#whitehaven
#visitcumbria

[@jimmycburfield5997]

Wonderful video. I really liked that lady’s paintings

[@deelee5074]

I was born in Whitehaven, but moved to Canada at a young age. As a family we travel back to visit many times. In my younger years, I must admit I never paid much attention to the history lessons I would get about the town from my parents, however i find myself more and more interested in the tales of this beautiful place. I really enjoyed this short video. I can’t wait until we can travel freely again so I can enjoy my “hometown”

[@TravelObscurer]

Hope you can get back soon!

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

@@TravelObscurer Was it expensive getting William Shatner to host this video?

[@Astralox]

Do you know the smith's

[@Snurbleblarp]

Fantastic! We moved up here about 20 years ago. It's easy to think of Cumbria in terms of lakes, fells and Beatrix Potter, but I had no idea of the incredible industrial history of the area, nor the sheer size and wealth of the place, well over a century before my home town of Liverpool had even made it on to the map!

[@Peugeot-uq9vy]

Thanks for this. My grandparents moved from Whitehaven in the very early 20th century to New Zealand. Now I am even more keen to come visit!

[@TravelObscurer]

Thank you. It's a long journey but I hope you make it one day. The lighthouse has just been restored so the town now has even more to be proud of.

[@Oldbaldbob13]

What a fantastic insight into this wonderful town. I moved here nearly 5 years ago and love this history of the place. With all the investment and developments planned over the next few years it goes from strength to strength. I love Natalie Burns' art work, was lucky enough to meet her and was so impressed with her pictures and clever manipulation of colour and subject.

[@TravelObscurer]

Thank you so much! Yes, you're right - Natalie is incredibly talented.

[@davideveson1049]

I've lived up here for 5 years and have grown to love whitehaven.

[@paulcaine1793]

This video really captures the spirit of Whitehaven, a fantastic insight into this little coastal gem. The section on your mining heritage was very interesting. Here is a little poem I wrote, a poem for old times’ sake:- Cumbrian Jurassic Steel Coast Sea salt & slag with a silver bitter keg Concrete & timber, autumnally busted and rusted Boomtown flats screech, as the stock markets crash Competitions slash cede, a labour exchange dash Going underground with our black gold still resting, ominous signs infesting Factory pay, cuts have to be made today Cumbrian coal & steel, gives fight but competition has the might Doubloon dismay, we are now working for tuppence a day Rich man, poor man, dictatorial ruling con; economic health reduction plan As our jobs are broken, the leviathan bones are still crumbling Ye Cumbrian engine room of old & bringer of bread, is leaving us Marras with a feeling of dread A rusty silhouette with a rictus grin nods its head, as West Coast Jurassic Steele bones fading to gone Paul

[@TravelObscurer]

Love the poem Paul. Thanks for sharing!

[@angelacarton7515]

This is fantastic well done Johnathan on creating this wonderful video on our gem of a Georgian town👍👍👍

[@TravelObscurer]

Thank you Angela!

[@Geoffreytomlinson24]

Born in Whitehaven 1951.

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

Man, I've always lived local to Whitehaven but I never knew it had the deepest coalmines in the world - see 2:53 Brilliant video, mate.

[@TravelObscurer]

Thanks!

[@rogermellie8068]

Soon to be moving to the area from East Lancashire, getting a good feel for the place

[@natalieburns92]

Nice one Jonathan

[@Stray1One]

Brilliant cheers man,I’m a marra down south,

[@TravelObscurer]

Cheers for the feedback!

[@Stray1One]

700 , cheers man you have made life better with your words, thankyou, Stray1,

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Ahs frae hyer eh asseh, ower la'al towns bin't through mill and quietly endures. Hen Ogledd! :-D Wukki'en... bloody Jameaters yan n aall! :-p

[@TravelObscurer]

I get the Hen Ogledd reference and "jameaters" but otherwise needing a translation! :)

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@TravelObscurer I'm from here eh I say, our small/little town has had its troubles but carries on :-p You surely noticed our unique speech on your visit lol

[@TravelObscurer]

@@OldNavajoTricks Brilliant. Thank you!

[@Stray1One]

Brilliant

[@Eggygoon]

Bro what the hell I just saw myself walking in the background

[@TravelObscurer]

Fame!

[@Stray1One]

That’s not your yauht is it?

[@TravelObscurer]

Not a chance!

[@historicmilitaria1944]

ha!! " a marina to rival Monaco", i take it that was tongue in cheek!!!, as for Jones attack not being successful, he spiked the guns in one of the forts and set fire to a ship,i wouldnt call that unsuccessful...he would have done more if on of his own crew hadnt turned turncoat and warned the townsfolk of the ship ablaze which was extinguished.

[@joeshmo7885]

"The whole operation...an embarrassing failure" Well, we still won the war.