Allonby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allonby |
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| Village | |
 Allonby, from the east |
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 Allonby
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| Population | 444 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | NY081430 |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Maryport |
| Postcode district | CA15 |
| Dialling code | 01900 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Allonby is a charming village found on the coast of Cumberland in Cumbria, England. It's about 5 miles (8 km) north of Maryport and 8 miles (13 km) south of Silloth. Nearby villages include Mawbray and Westnewton. The city of Carlisle is about 26 miles (42 km) to the north-east.
Contents
What's in a Name? Allonby's Origin
The name 'Allonby' comes from an old French name, 'Alein'. It means "Alein's village". The word 'bȳ' is an old English word. It came from the Old Norse word 'bȳr'. This word means 'village' or 'hamlet'. So, Allonby literally means 'Alein's village'.
Allonby's Coastal Location and Natural Beauty
Allonby village looks out over Allonby Bay. This bay is part of the Solway Firth. The whole area is very special. It is part of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means its natural beauty is protected.
Views Across the Solway Firth
From Allonby, you can see amazing views. You can look across the Solway Firth. You might even spot the Galloway hills in southern Scotland. It's a beautiful sight.
Award-Winning Beaches
Allonby has two lovely beaches. These are South Saltpans beach and West Winds beach. Both beaches won a special award in 2005. It was the Blue Flag rural beach award. This award means they are clean and safe.
Cumbria Coastal Way
The village is also on a long walking path. It's called the Cumbria Coastal Way. This path stretches for about 150 miles (240 km). It's a great way to explore the coast.
Allonby's Past: A Glimpse into History
From the late 1700s to the mid-1800s, Allonby was a busy fishing village. Small fishing boats worked from here. They mostly caught herring.
Fishing and Kippers
People built special fish yards in Allonby. Here, they would salt the herring. Then, they packed them into barrels. These barrels were made right there in the village. There was also a smokehouse. This is where they made tasty kippers.
A Popular Sea-Bathing Resort
In the early 1800s, Allonby became a popular place. People came here for sea-bathing. They believed the sea water was good for their health. Special baths were built in 1835 for visitors.
Famous Visitors and Buildings
The village has a very old building. It's a 17th-century coaching inn. Today, it's known as the Ship Hotel. Famous writers Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins stayed there in 1857. They were touring the area. Dickens later called Allonby a 'dreary little place'.
A special building called the Reading Room opened in 1862. It was designed by a famous architect. His name was Alfred Waterhouse. He was only 32 years old then. A lot of the money for the building came from Joseph Pease. He was Britain's first Quaker MP.
How Allonby is Governed
Allonby is part of the Workington area. This area elects a person to the UK Parliament. This person is called a Member of Parliament (MP).
Your MP and Local Government
The current MP for Workington is Mark Jenkinson. He is a member of the Conservative Party. He was elected in 2019. Before that, the Labour Party had won the seat many times.
For local matters, Allonby is part of the unitary authority of Cumberland. This started on April 1, 2023. A unitary authority handles many local services. The village also has its own local group. It's called the Allonby Parish Council. They help with local village issues.
Notable Residents
- Joseph Huddart was born here in 1741.
