Whitehaven Harbour Raid Site (Cumbria)
Whitehaven, Cumbria, England
Whitehaven Old Fort remains, west of Old Quay, Whitehaven, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom
MONUMENT
VISITOR INFORMATION
Use harbour operator guidance for current access. The supplied Event begins April 22, while its narrative and the contemporary April 23 letter describe the early-morning raid; original Event dates were preserved for separate review. Map point reviewed October 3, 2026: Historic England’s Whitehaven Old Fort survey reference NX 96819 18342, converted to WGS84 using Ordnance Survey’s published method. The conversion has up to 3.5 metres of error. The point represents the surviving original harbour battery, not the general harbour or a nearby modern memorial. Visitor information reviewed October 3, 2026: Harbourside remains of the coastal battery are consolidated north of the road. Additional remains are buried south of it. Nearby harbour parking is separate from the fort. The harbour operator lists public pay parking at Quay Street North and South. Swing Pump Lane parking has weekday and permit restrictions. Amenities investigated October 3, 2026: Nearby harbour-area restrooms are at The Edge Coastal Activities Centre on the harbourside, separate from the Old Fort remains. Walk to the centre and confirm public-toilet opening hours. Harbour parking restrictions remain applicable.
Exterior harbour/Old Fort reference; no staffed fort admission schedule confirmed. Harbour parking is paid and subject to restrictions. The multi-storey public spaces are on levels 1–2 and are closed weekends and public holidays; verify the current tariff and alternative Quay Street parking.
Summer Lake District/coastal travel may add regional demand. Harbour-raid-site annual peak months unconfirmed.
May-June or September for harbour walks in generally milder weather. Check the Beacon Museum, Rum Story and any guided visit on their individual calendars.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
HISTORIC SITES NEARBY
Nearby Historic Sites
miles
Landmark
WHO WAS HERE
0
PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE
About Whitehaven Harbour Raid Site (Cumbria)
Whitehaven’s historic harbor was raided by John Paul Jones and men from Ranger in April 1778. The attack carried the Revolutionary War onto Britain’s own coast. The harbor and the remains of its Old Fort help explain the port’s vulnerability and the coastal defenses targeted during the raid.
Whitehaven Old Fort retains standing and buried battery remains protected as a scheduled monument. Historic England records late-1970s excavation and consolidation north of the road; the southern remains were reburied. Visible sandstone walls and gun-recoil fittings survive beside a later lime kiln, distinct from modern paving and displays.
History happened here at Whitehaven Harbour Raid Site (Cumbria)
Whitehaven was an important eighteenth-century port trading with America and Ireland. Construction of its Old Fort began in 1741 to defend the harbor approaches. Recommendations for improving the defenses in the 1760s were only partly implemented, leaving the port vulnerable when Jones brought Ranger to the coast in April 1778.
The raiders attacked the harbor defenses and attempted to burn shipping. Contemporary correspondence records local alarm after the episode. Repairs and additional batteries followed quickly. The surviving Old Fort therefore contains evidence of a longer defensive history, including work after the raid, rather than an unchanged snapshot of the night Jones arrived.
PEOPLE WHO DIED HERE
PEOPLE AT REST HERE
EXTERNAL LINKS
Research reviewed October 2, 2026. Event ID caa19a99-3094-41f0-8c10-8d314055b2f7; Events Latest 10PM.csv row 465.
https://www.whitehavenhc.org.uk/about-the-harbour/
Map location reviewed October 3, 2026. Historic England’s Whitehaven Old Fort survey reference NX 96819 18342, converted to WGS84 using Ordnance Survey’s published method. The conversion has up to 3.5 metres of error. The point represents the surviving original harbour battery, not the general harbour or a nearby modern memorial.
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1020460/
Visitor classification and amenities reviewed October 3, 2026. Destination: Whitehaven Old Fort remains near the southern end of Old Quay.
https://www.whitehavenhc.org.uk/our-car-parks/multi-storey-car-park
Prose batch 3 researched October 3, 2026. Fast pass; proofing pending. Fresh Historic England account read. Distinguish original battery, later repairs and harbor works; raid landing and fire positions remain unresolved.
Visitor admission and access fields reviewed October 3, 2026. Destination: Whitehaven Old Fort remains near the southern end of Old Quay.
Amenities investigated October 3, 2026. Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners identifies six public toilets at The Edge. Its later recruitment announcement confirms the coastal centre has opened and has accessible toilets. Nearby harbour-area restrooms are at The Edge Coastal Activities Centre on the harbourside, separate from the Old Fort remains. Walk to the centre and confirm public-toilet opening hours. Harbour parking restrictions remain applicable.
https://www.whitehavenhc.org.uk/blog/first-look-inside-the-edge
https://www.whitehavenhc.org.uk/blog/calling-all-community-champions-looking-for-a-unique-role