Workington is a historic market town with an industrial past. It’s set at the mouth of the River Derwent and is a gateway to the Cumbria Coast and the picturesque Lake District. Stroll around the lively town centre, visit local history museums and retrace the footsteps of iconic authors like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter in Lake District National Park.
Things to do in Workington
From charming tearooms to cosy pubs, there are plenty of places to satisfy your appetite in Workington. Enjoy homemade scones, jam and cream and fill up on local specialties like Cumberland pork sausages and slow-cooked Herdwick hogget sheep. Save room for a slab of sticky toffee pudding, which was invented in the Lake District.
Step into St Michael’s Church and admire the vivid stained-glass windows. The original Norman church dates back to the 12th century and has been beautifully restored over the centuries. Famed English architect Thomas Hardwick designed St John’s Church, which features a honey-coloured sandstone façade.
Visit the Helena Thompson Museum and learn about the legacy of the beloved local philanthropist. The museum is housed in a stately Georgian home and showcases antiques, glassware and pottery. Exhibits cover the industrial history of Workington and its past as an iron, steel and coal powerhouse.
Rent a bike and explore the Sea to Sea Cycle Route. The award-winning trail starts in Workington and stretches from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. The scenery is breathtaking and takes you through the postcard-perfect Lake District and across the Pennine Hills. Stop for lunch in Keswick, a storybook town framed by rugged fells.
Getting around Workington
Workington is compact and easy to get around on foot. Trains run between Workington and Manchester in three hours. Rental cars offer the freedom to explore Cumbria and the Lake District at your own pace. Teesside International Airport is a two-hour drive away.