allonby and aspatria introduction...

Its sand and shingle beach follows the edge of a wide crescent-shaped bay that is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing - the bright sails adding a dash of colour to the seascape. Behind the dunes and the ‘greens' is an assortment of grand Georgian architecture and humble fishermen's cottages, linked by narrow cobbled lanes and passageways.

The rolling landscape is mainly pastoral in nature (dairying being predominant), interspersed with the attractive villages of Hayton, Westnewton, Blennerhasset (‘Blinraysett'), Torpenhow (‘Trapenna'), Blencogo, Bothel, Plumbland, Threapland, Gilcrux (‘Gilcruce') and Allerby nestling in the landscape. Three hidden gems in the form of churches can be found here - St Mungo's in the tiny hamlet of Bromfield, St Mary's at Gilcrux and St Michael's at Torpenhow. Closer to Aspatria are the former mining villages of Oughterside (‘Watterside') and Prospect and the model suburb of Harriston.