Make a coastal visit to Allonby
Make a coastal visit to the delightful village of Allonby on the Cumbrian coast If you feel like taking a breath of sea air while in Cumbria, then Allonby on the Solway Coast could be just the thing. Allonby is a small village between Maryport and Silloth, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a long sandy beach with stunning views across the Solway Estuary to the mountains of South Scotland. The Cumbrian Coastal Way passes through the village, and walkers can enjoy many miles of green sea-banks. Once a Smugglerβs Route ran through the village. Allonby was also an important centre for herring fishing, and some of the old kippering houses can still be seen.Wealthy Victorians took the βSea-bathingβ cure
It has a long history of being a sea-bathing resort, dating back to the 18th century, when the fashion for bathing, and even drinking sea water, was considered to be a health cure. The former main street still has an imposing collonaded building which was once the indoor baths where wealthy Victorians could take their sea water treatment comfortably warmed rather than deal with the bracing cold sea. The cossetted upper classes could also enjoy vapour baths. There was even a ballroom for glamorous après-treatment social events.
A great day out to the coast for families
Todayβs visitors can still enjoy the beach, which has won awards for its cleanliness and safety and also take advantage of windsurfing and Twentymanβs famous ice cream (see link), a well-known homemade treat.