Allonby
Allonby, among other things, boasts an exceptional ice cream shop. Once an important centre for herring fishing, in Victorian times Allonby became a coastal resort. Despite its modest size the village has several splendid buildings. Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester's Town Hall and the Natural History Museum in London, designed the Reading Room. Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins are both reputed to have stayed at The Ship Inn whilst JMW Turner painted the sunsets from Silloth. In the 18th century this remote shoreline became a favourite place for landing contraband stored on the tax free haven of the Isle of Man. Near Allonby is Beckfoot (known as Bibra by the Romans). Coastal erosion here - hard by the B5300 - has exposed a Roman cemetery where urns and other artifacts are being rescued by English Heritage.
Route information
Just before Bank End do stop off at the fortlet which has been excavated and gives you some idea of what this part of the Roman defence system looked like. It is also an excellent place to photograph the rest of your party cycling away down the coastal road. At Bank End turn off the road through the golf club, who are very welcoming with refreshments, and join the promenade to Maryport. This point marks the start of long lengths of traffic free path. High on the hill above the promenade is Senhouse Roman Museum which can be reached by peeling off on one of the narrow tarmac paths leading to the Roman fort. Maryport was the command and supply base for the coastal defences of Hadrian's Wall and was occupied for nearly 300 years. The town was developed by Humphrey Senhouse in 1756, who called the town Maryport after his wife Mary. The Maryport and Carlisle railway opened in 1845 and the docks flourished, exporting rails and cast iron. They were the largest docks on the West Cumbrian coast until 1927, when Barrow was built.
