The following description of Whitehaven is taken from Pigot and Co.’s trade directory of 1829-29.

Whitehaven, the principal sea port in Cumberland … The town is situated in a remarkable creek, overlooked by high ground on three sides. From the south the town makes the best appearance, commanding a view of the interior of the streets, the harbour, and the castle belonging to the Earl of Lonsdale, which form fine objects in the landscape. Descending by an excellent road from the north, between two small eminences, the traveller approaches the town by a fine arch of freestone … In the year 1556 the town is said to have had only six houses, subsequently, being supported by the fostering hand of the Lowthers, it has risen to wealth and consequence; being at present the most eminent port in the coal except Newcastle … Whitehaven is a regular and well-built town, for the most part, the streets being broad and spacious, crossing each other at right angles, and the houses built with some degree of taste … Here are three chapels of ease … St Nicholas, … Holy Trinity … and St James’. The other places of worship are Scotch independent, Methodist, Anabaptist, Roman Catholic and Society of Friends’ meeting houses. The other public edifices and institutions are the dispensary, the house of industry, the marine school, national and Sunday schools, the theatre, the public office, Lowther Street, customs house, baths, subscription library, philosophical society’s room, harmonic society’s concert room, a saving’s bank and a mechanics institute … The principal manufactories of this town are linen, sails cloths, checks, ginghams, sheeting, threads, twine, cables, tobacco &c. Here are also some chemical works, anchor foundries and two breweries. The coal mines at Whitehaven are perhaps the most extraordinary in the known world … A fine new pier is erecting on the south of the harbour, at considerable expense … There are three weekly markets … In 1821 the population of Whitehaven … was 12,438 exclusive of 8000 sailors, which were not classed with the actual inhabitants by [the] census.

Sources

Pigot and Co., National Commercial Directory [Part 1: Cheshire – Northumberland] for 1828–29 (London and Manchester: J. Pigot and Co., 1828)