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The main harbour and town.
Maryport is located on the north west coast approx. 8 miles north of Workington.
The Carlisle to Maryport railway was completed in 1845 and this helped to increase coal
exports from Maryport to 300,000 tons per year. Elizabeth Dock was opened
on 20th October 1857 and in 1867,480,000 tons of coal were shipped.
With the opening of Senhouse Dock on 27th May 1884, trade increased again and in 1899,
over 1,000,000 tons of imports/exports were shipped through Maryport,
700,000 tons of this were through Senhouse Dock.
World war two saw 2,000,000 tons of coal per year from the North East exported
but by 1953, trade had fallen off and only 3,138 tons of coal were exported that year.
The port ceased trading in 1960 and finally closed in 1961. Elizabeth Dock is now used
by the few local fishermen who can still manage to find enough fish to make a living and
Senhouse Dock is used by pleasure boat owners and yachtsmen.
In the late 1980's-early 1990's, the present dockside houses were built and the
surrounding area refurbished and they still look very modern and stylish. If you walk
around the dock area on a quiet afternoon, read the information plaques fixed to the
dock railings, close your eyes and you can almost hear the noises from the past and you
can certainly feel the history of the place.
For information regarding attractions in the town, call; Maritime museum; 01900 813738
(includes Tourist info. centre) Senhouse Roman Museum; 01900 816168
Steamships Museum; 01900 815954 Aquarium; 01900 817700
Elizabeth Dock. Looking out through the entrance to the harbour.
Two views of Elizabeth Dock showing the modern quay-side houses and apartments.
Two views of Senhouse Dock, now used by pleasure boat users.
Looking out to sea through the main harbour entrance and the pier with Scotland in the background.
Right on the quay-side is the Aquarium building, a must for both kids and adults.
Behind the Aquarium building is an Adventure Playground, made up of
wooden "ships" for the kids to climb on, over and through.
Access is through the Aquarium building.
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