You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Cleator Moor
Supported by
Located only four miles from the coast, Cleator Moor is the gateway to the beautiful Ennerdale valley. Dent Fell, sometimes known as Long Barrow, sits in a commanding position on the town’s skyline and is one of the first fells walkers climb on Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast walk. It offers impressive views of the Cumbrian Coast and Lake District mountains.
Walkers and cyclists will enjoy following the old railway line from Whitehaven to Ennerdale, which runs through Cleator Moor. The track, which has now been tarmacked, is part of the West Cumbria cycle network, and forms part of the Sustrans C2C cycle route from Whitehaven to Sunderland.
This former mining town has strong links to the arts and in the market square you will find three sculptures by celebrated artist Conrad Atkinson. Conrad was born in the town in 1940 and he created these special works as a memorial to the town’s once thriving mining industry – they are known as the Miner, the Phoenix and the Hand.
Another internationally famous artist associated with the town is L S Lowry, who paid regular visits to stay with friends. He painted Cowles fish and chip shop, amongst other things, The Co-op on Market Square and the former Westminster Bank, which is now a café. There is a blue plaque to Lowry outside the public library on Market Square.
West Cumbrian artist Percy Kelly, who is famous for his paintings of towns and villages along the Cumbrian coast, also painted scenes of the town. The Millom born poet Norman Nicholson wrote about the mine at Cleator Moor and the lives of its workers, providing a moving insight into the town’s social history.
There is a long history of iron ore and coal mining have in West Cumbria, local monks mined iron ore as far back as the 12th century. Rapid expansion came with the industrial revolution and by the mid-1800s Cleator Moor had grown from a small village into a busy industrial town, with a large population of migrant workers from Ireland, leading to the colloquial title of Little Ireland. Today, all the mines have closed, but a fascinating insight into the region’s industrial past can be gleaned by visiting The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven.
St Mary’s church was designed by E.W. Pugin and opened in 1872, during the economic depression of the 1920s the priest at St Mary’s raised funds to build a shrine to Our Lady. Built by local volunteers who received food and clothing vouchers in return for their labour, the shrine was a replica of the Grotto at Lourdes. International travel at the time was limited so the Grotto became a place of pilgrimage, it was dedicated by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1980.
.
Please follow HM Government COVID-19 safety guidelines when you visit. Support our local shops and businesses by being mindful of social distancing and wearing a mask in enclosed spaces. Wash your hands often using soap and water and dry them thoroughly, and where available, use hand-sanitiser as you enter and leave shops. Enjoy your visit and stay safe!
The Welcome Back to High Streets Project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. More information here.
the western lakes has a rich history, brilliantly told
Number of results: 14
A 72 mile network of cycle routes linking off road sections on disused railways with the minor road system. The route links Cockermouth, Workington, Distington, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Ennerdale. There are branches from Cleator Moor to Egremont…
Workington
Weekly Saturday Market. A good range of fresh produce, cakes, gifts and household essentials.
Workington
Shopping centre with department store, 11 shops, 6 cinemas, 3 restaurants. Over 400 free parking spaces. Petrol and convenience store 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Workington
Our Dark Sky package is specially designed to ensure you are able to fully enjoy your stargazing experience. We provide use of a Sky-watcher telescope and comfortable outdoor seating, as well as blankets, hot water bottles, hot drinks and light…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
40 reviewsWorkington
Armidale Cottages B&B is set in half an acre of land with a small orchard. Built in the 16thC the cottages have been lovingly renovated to a very high standard, retaining many of the original features.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
40 reviewsWorkington
The west coast of Cumbria will be celebrating the start of the festive season with a Christmas Festival and light switch on from 11am – 5pm on Saturday 30th November in Workington. There will be live entertainment throughout the day, plus a host of…
Workington
Weekly Market each Wednesday. Good range of fresh produce, gifts and household essentials.
WORKINGTON
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873 - 1876 to replace a chapel in the grounds which now forms part of St Joseph's High School.
Workington
Workington Town's first Pride
Great Clifton, Workington
Enjoy delicious meals and afternoon teas in our restaurant, The Conservatory at the Melbreak.
Open between 12pm - 2pm, 5pm – 9pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm – 9pm Saturday and Sunday.
Afternoon Teas served between 2:30pm and 4:30pm daily –…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
133 reviewsGreat Clifton, Workington
Situated conveniently between Cockermouth and Workington, close to the A66, lies The Melbreak Hotel. Once a farmstead, the 38 en-suite bedroomed hotel has an elegant lounge, well stocked bar and popular restaurant. The hotel has 6 electric vehicle…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
925 reviewsCumbria
Buses to and through Workington:
1A Great Clifton - Workington.
30/30A/30B Thornhill - Whitehaven - Workington - Maryport.
31/31A Frizington - Cleator Moor - Whitehaven - Workington - Maryport
35 Workington - Great Broughton - Cockermouth l.
36…
WORKINGTON
Centrally located multi-storey car park with 427 spaces.
Height restrictions: 1.98m Open 7 days a week.
Public toilets adjacent to the car park.
Workington
Harrington Nature Reserve is one of two Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in the Workington area and is an area of land protected for its contribution to wildlife, geology, education and public enjoyment.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL