The Industrial Edges of Cumbria (beyond the Lakes)
When you hear the word ‘Cumbria’, you often think of the Lake District, mountains and pretty mountain towns like Keswick. But a good part of Cumbria has an industrial heritage, and a community spirit, but not so pretty. These are the places that tourists don’t really visit, but they are interesting, all the same.
If at the nearby coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
Workington has a history of ironworks and steel mills, and is ‘more football than poetry! It has a scenic rugged coat with a promenade that offers views across the Irish Sea.
Barrow-in-Furness is on England’s longest cul-de-sac, stuck at the tip of a long peninsula. Its the main base in England for making submarines for the Royal Navy. Nearby is Walney Island (home to sand dunes, rare plants, birds and seals on Morecambe Bay).
Also be wary of quicksand, follow the signs.
One happy story of late is the final closure (and relocation of animals) at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness. It had animal welfare concerns over many years. And finally the campaign worked, though some animals were in such bad health, they had to be put to sleep.
Sellafield nuclear power station
Read why England does not need nuclear power.
England’s largest and oldest nuclear plant (Sellafield in Cumbria) was built in the 1940s to make plutonium, in expectation of a cold war. Today, the process has begun to shut the plant down, which will take 100 years.
In the 50s, a fire sent radioactive waste to mainland Europe, and cows’ milk became radioactive. Today, droppings from swallows have found radioactive insects (these birds migrate to Africa, taking pollution with them). Local stray cats are screened for radioactivity, before rehoming.
Even people in Norway are concerned over radiation for their own food and wildlife, due to south-westerly winds possibly carrying radioactive particles across the North Sea, in the event of an accident.
