Maryport Cottages with Hot Tubs

Get More From Your Maryport Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Maryport packs a lot into a small space. The town centre has kept its Georgian and Victorian layout, with the old harbour area now home to the marina. I always tell people to start at the Senhouse Roman Museum (CA15 6JD, open 10am-5pm Apr-Oct, 11am-4pm Nov-Mar). It's built next to a Roman fort and houses the biggest collection of Roman military altar stones in Britain.

The Lake District Coast Aquarium (CA15 8AB, open daily 10am-5pm) gets 4/5 on TripAdvisor and shows off local marine life. Kids love the feeding sessions. The Maritime Museum (CA15 8AB, open daily 11am-4pm) scores 4/5 on TripAdvisor too and tells the story of Maryport's shipping past.

We recommend taking the short drive to Allonby (15 minutes north), where the beach has won awards for water quality. The views across the Solway to Scotland are fantastic on clear days. After a day out, your cottage hot tub will be waiting!

Pet Friendly

Maryport is brilliant for dog owners. The main beach allows dogs all year round, unlike many UK beaches with summer restrictions. There's a good reason why so many cottages here welcome pets.

The Harbour Bar (CA15 8AB) lets dogs in and even offers water bowls. For walks, try the path along the old railway line to Allonby - it's flat and runs for about 5 miles with sea views throughout.

Maryport Pets & Aquatics (CA15 8NF) stocks emergency supplies and West Cumbria Veterinary Group (CA15 8NX) handles any medical issues. My tip: bring towels specifically for your dog as the beaches can be muddy at low tide.

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Maryport

The Senhouse Roman Museum sits on a cliff overlooking the Solway. It houses finds from the adjacent Roman fort of Alauna, including the famous Serpent Stone. What makes this place special is how it connects to Hadrian's Wall. The museum has a viewing platform where you can see across to Scotland - the same view Roman soldiers had 2,000 years ago. A visitor last month wrote: "Small but packed with fascinating artefacts and very knowledgeable staff."

Maryport Harbour and Marina shows how the town has changed. Once full of coal ships, it's now home to pleasure boats. The walk around the harbour walls gives great views and there's usually someone fishing who'll chat about what they've caught. The colourful houses along the waterfront make for great photos. At sunset, this is the place to be - then back to your cottage for a dip in the hot tub!

Maryport Blues Festival happens each summer (late July) and transforms the town. Even if you're not staying during the festival, the pubs like The Captain Nelson (CA15 8AB) and The Golden Lion (CA15 6BQ) host live music year-round. The festival started in 1999 and has featured big names like Eric Bibb and Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters' son).

Is Maryport worth visiting?

Yes! Maryport offers a less crowded alternative to Lake District towns while still being close enough for day trips. The Roman history, working harbour and coastal location give it character that bigger tourist spots sometimes lack.

How far is Maryport from the Lake District?

Maryport sits on the edge of the Lake District National Park. It's about 30 minutes to Bassenthwaite Lake, 45 minutes to Keswick and an hour to Windermere.

Does Maryport have a sandy beach?

Maryport's main beach is mostly pebbles and shingle, but at low tide, some sandy areas appear. For proper sand, head to Allonby (15 minutes north) or Silloth (25 minutes north).

What's the best time to visit Maryport?

Summer brings the best weather and the Blues Festival (July), but spring offers quieter sightseeing and good walking conditions. Winter can be dramatic with storms rolling in across the Solway - perfect hot tub weather!

Are there good restaurants in Maryport?

For a small town, Maryport has decent options. Flavour (CA15 6AB) serves good modern British food, while Tabassum (CA15 6BQ) offers excellent Indian cuisine. The Maryport Chippy (CA15 6AB) is a local favourite.

Can you see Scotland from Maryport?

Yes, on clear days you can see across the Solway Firth to the hills of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. The view is particularly good from the Roman fort site.

1. Visit Cumbria - Maryport Guide
2. Senhouse Roman Museum Official Site
3. Lake District National Park Authority
4. Lake District Coast Aquarium
5. Maryport Blues Festival