Maryport Coastal Park

About

Maryport Coastal Park came from the legacy of the days of coal mining and ironworks in the area, which has been transformed into a place for visitors to enjoy for its coastal views and flora and fauna.

Access is free all year round. Maryport Coastal Park can be accesses from Maryport south shore car park, which can be found near the Glasson industrial estate, off the A596.

The park contains a 6.1-km circular trail, which is generally considered an easy route taking an average of 1 1/2 hours to complete. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead.

More about Maryport Coastal Park

35 wildflower areas have been created along the cycleway path, through a process of scraping back the top layer of vegetation, and re-seeding with specific varieties. Specific wildflower varieties have been selected to increase the food source plants for butterflies such as the locally common, but nationally rare, Small Blue butterfly. These plants include kidney vetch, birds-foot trefoil, ox-eye daisy, field scabious, yellow rattle and yarrow.

Naturally occurring yarrow is supplemented to provide a partner plant for the Purple Broomrape to parasitize, for its ongoing survival. The wildflower ‘scrapes’ are cared for by Workington Nature Partnership, local volunteers and Butterfly Conservation. The scrapes are monitored for prevalent weeds, but more importantly, the special varieties of pollinator, wildflower and other species that live here. Bumblebees will make use of empty mammal holes for their nests, whilst common lizards bask in the warmth of the scraped earth.

These rejuvenated areas create new habitats, which form the basis of micro communities and contribute to the food chains of larger mammals and birds of prey, such as owls and fox.

Look out for red admiral, tortoiseshell, small blue, and peacock butterflies as well as narrow bordered 5 spot burnet and silver y moth. Bumblebees and hoverflies add to the buzz, whilst a common lizard or weasel may be seen scurrying by.