Maryport

The town was first a Roman town and there is substantial remains of a Roman fort. The fort was the last in a series of forts from Hadrian's Wall to prevent the wall being avoided by a crossing of the Solway Firth. Recent geo-magnetic surveys have revealed a large Roman town surrounding the fort.

After the Roman retreat from Britain the town was soon reduced in size and importance.

For many years the town was named Ellenfoot but the name was changed by Humphrey Senhouse as he began developing the town as a port, following the example of Whitehaven. He named it after his wife Mary.

The Senhouse family were the major landowners in the Maryport area and they were responisible for the development of the town and excavation of its Roman past.

The town quickly developed as an industrial centre throughout the 19th century with an iron foundry and coal mines opening. The port also developed as did ship yards, such as Ritson's, which were famous launching ships broadside into the river Ellen because it was not wide enough to allow ships to be launched the usual way.

However, by the beginning of the 20th century the town was suffering an economic decline. All but one of the ship yards had closed amd trade declined because the newly built dock was not wide enough to accommodate new ships.

The town had a brief recovery during World War II but its status as an industrial port was never recovered.

Today after a series of major regeneration projects prospects for the town are looking better. Tourism is now the main business in Maryport.

It has a railway station on the west coast main line, an aquarium and a Roman museum.

The nearest big towns are Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven.