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The ancient
market and industrial town of Workington lies at the
mouth of the River Derwent as if flows into the Solway Firth.
Workington,
the site of a Roman fort, was once part of an elaborate coastal
defence system linked to Hadrian's Wall. In the 18th century
the exploitation of local iron ore and coalfields lead to
Workington becoming a major industrial town and port.
It was
here that Henry Bessemer introducted his revolutionary steel
making process. Shipbuilding was also an important industry
in the port.
With
the decline of coal mining and the steel industry the town
has diversified into light industries.
Today
Workington is the main administrative centre for the borough
of Allerdale.
A highlight
of the town is the Helena Thompson Museum, bequeathed to the
town by a local philantropist in 1940. Housed in an imposing
Gerogian house, the museum includes pottery, silver, glass
and furniture from Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods
and displays illustrating the social and industrial history
of Workington. An interesting tourist attraction to visit.
Nearby
stands the ruins of Workington Hall, once one of the finest
manor houses in the region.
When
Mary, Queen of Scots fled to England after her defeat at the
Battle of Langside, she stayed as an honoured guest at Workington
Hall before travelling on to Carlisle.
Another
of Workington's attractions is Jane Pit, a 19th century coal
mine built by Henry Curwen, Lord of the Manor in Workington.
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Workington
