WELCOME TO ALLONBY CUMBRIA

A visitor's guide to the landscape, wildlife and history of the area, with local information and photo galleries of Allonby Cumbria, the beach, sunsets and old Allonby.

Allonby Cumbria lies within a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty on the Solway Coast. Allonby Bay has a superb long sandy beach, with spectacular views across the Solway Firth to the mountains of Southern Scotland. In addition, the Lake District fells can be seen as stunning backdrop to the village, in the East. On a clear day the Isle of Man can be seen in the distance.

The village has much to offer visitors to the area and is the ideal base from which to explore the beautiful Cumbrian coast as well as the English Lake District.

We hope that you enjoy browsing our site and if you would like to submit your own stories or photos we'd love to hear from you. Email: info@allonbycumbria.co.uk

Photo Galleries

The wide open beach offers the opportunity for activities such as kite and wind surfing or more leisurely activities such as fishing or strolling along the beach and dunes.

There is a camp site at Spring Lea Leisure Centre with excellent facilities and there are numerous caravan parks and holiday cottages available to let. Places to eat include the dog friendly Ship Inn, or treat yourself to the ever popular Twentyman's ice cream. Be prepared to queue on sunny days.

The Solway Firth is home to a wide variety of birds. Wading birds you might see along the shoreline include Oystercather, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank, Golden, Grey and Ringed Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Lapwing and Turnstone.

As well as various varieties of gulls, at sea you may see Cormants, Divers, Teal and Grebe. Winter visitors include the Little Egret, Shelduck, Wigeon and huge flocks of Barnacle Geese.

From the late 18th century until the mid-19th century, Allonby was involved in the herring fishing industry. In the Fish yards herring were salted and packed in barrels and there was also a smoke house where kippers were produced.

The village owes much of its development to the Quakers and is noted for its interesting and historic buildings. Noteworthy buildings include, the Baths built in 1835 in the cobbled Square (now a private residence); the North Lodge, also built in the 1830s; the grand Reading Rooms, opened in 1862 (now a private residence); the Fish Yards (and laterly a riding school); the Quaker Meeting House. and finally, the 17th century coaching inn, now the Ship Hotel, where Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins stayed in 1857.

A brief history of Allonby.


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