Maryport
Taste of the Sea 2023 in partnership with Maryport Town Council #TasteCumbria
The weather couldn’t stop the fun at Maryport Taste of the Sea!
#TasteCumbria
High winds and wet weather didn’t stop anyone having a great time at the third Maryport Taste of the Sea, in partnership with Maryport Town Council.
Though the Producer’s Market had to move from the heart of the town on Senhouse Street to a smaller sheltered spot on the harbourside, the fun continued for two great days. Visitors and locals alike ate, drank, danced and shopped, showing their support for a great event and this lovely town.
The festival is one of the famed Taste Cumbria events organised by Cumberland Council.
The weekend began with a lively comedy night, followed by a packed agenda of arty workshops, family fun, fairground rides and expert demos. There was a hot food court and a Rum Shack, run by pirates from Maryport Round Table. The team from the Chelaris fishing boat sold their catch on the harbourside while the likes of Portobello Wood Fired Pizza added seafood to their menu.
New for this year was an outdoor film screening of Finding Dory with families braving the weather to watch the Disney movie.
The town’s Cultural Consortium, funded by Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone fund via Cumberland Council, held crafty taster sessions under the Made in Maryport banner.
All the activities were delivered by the Consortium’s partners – Senhouse Museum, Maryport Maritime Museum, the new Shipping Brow Gallery and The Settlement.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people out in Maryport at our fabulous festival. They show that the weather definitely won’t stop them having a great time.
“It was great to hear that traders in the Producers’ Market, and the Chelaris team, sold out, showing the huge support for locally-made excellent food and drink. The 2022 festival brought £1 million into the local economy and that can only be good news for those who live and work in Cumberland. I can’t wait for the next event in Cockermouth in September – now we just need to order the weather!”
In addition to Maryport Town Council, Cumberland Council would also like to thank Maryport Business Group, Maryport Round Table, Vici for the use of their demonstration trailer, and Maryport Harbour Authority for the use of their land.
Maryport’s Taste of the Sea event will be followed by the flagship Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September then the Taste Cumbria Christmas Festival on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December.
- Producers’ Market on Senhouse Street
- Freshly landed fish on the harbourside (subject to tides and weather)
- Harbour tours – discover Maryport’s rich maritime heritage, harbourside
- Art taster sessions, harbourside
- Outdoor picnic area with hot food vans, harbourside
- Live music, including Flimby Brass Band playing nautical favourites, harbourside
- Cookery demonstrations with some great local chefs at the Vici demo kitchen, harbourside
- Festival charity bar operated by Maryport Round Table, harbourside
- Fairground rides at the Wave car park
- Children’s activities and large format games at the Wave car park
- Live music in town venues, Saturday night (details to be announced)
- Comedy night with leading comedians at Maryport ARLFC, Mealpot Road, Maryport – book your tickets below
- Fish food trail, eateries with fish on the menu (details to be announced)
MC Dave Twentyman
Chris Washington
Andy White
Andy Askins
Taste of the Sea Comedy Night
Maryport Taste of the Sea in Partnership with Maryport Town Council
Four amazing comedians, one fabulous town – the famous Maryport Taste of the Sea comedy night returns.
Dave Twentyman, “Brilliant” John Bishop.
Andy Askins, “Totally hilarious” Ross Noble
Andy White, “Oozes talent”, Whats on Magazine
Chris Washington, “Funny, relatable and heartwarming” Broadway Baby.
A big thank you to Maryport ARLFC for hosting the event.
Maryport Rugby League Club, Mealpot Rd, Maryport CA15 6NE
NEW FOR 2023!
Bring the family to a FREE outdoor film screening of Finding Dory.
Saturday 12 August, 5pm on the Green, next to Shiver Me Timbers.
Live Music
Live music on the Taste of the Sea main stage, next to the harbourside…
Saturday 12th August
11am – Emma Hunt
12pm – Phil Lewthwaite & Graham Bell
1pm – Ryan Davidson
2pm – Somethin Brewin
3pm – Flimby Brass Band
4pm – No Good Reason
Sunday 13th August
11am – Alex Freitas
12pm – Vowz
1pm – Red Handed Siren
2pm – Border Concert Band
3pm – Antics
More Live Music
And the party doesn’t stop when our Producers’ Market and main stage closes – we’re supporting live music in the pubs & clubs too!
Saturday 12th August
6pm – Tap Tavern – The Clints – 6pm
7pm – Her Citi – Catherine Marcangelo & Dean Newton
8pm – Maryport Bowling Club – Bailey & Kream
8pm – The Butchers Arms – Jackdaws
9pm – Netherhall Old Boys – No Good Reason
9:15pm – Maryport Labour Club – Soul Junction
Sunday 13th August
6pm – The Butchers Arms – The Syndicate
4pm – The Lifeboat Inn – Holborn Hillbillies
The traders you will find at Maryport, Taste of the Sea...
The Hedgehog Bakery – tasty cakes and treat boxes
The Doggy Deli – natural healthy dog treats
The Yolker – handmade gourmet Scotch eggs
The Wilde Bakery – family artisan flapjack bakery with an extensive range of flavours
Wiga Wagaa – award winning chilli-based jams, oils, pastes, sauces, pickles and snacks
Haverigg Smokery – meats and fish from HMP Haverigg’s smokery
Pie Demand – luxury topped pork pies, traditional meat pies and sausage rolls
Sweet Treats by Martin Frickel – naughty brownies, banging blondies and more
Cumbria Distilling Co – the highest quality spirits, created in Carlisle
The Little Poffertje Pancake Shack – Dutch street food treats
Manor Barn Organics – luxurious candles and wax melts
Portobello Wood Fired – authentic rustic wood-fired pizza
RSPB – feed the birds & learn more about them
Cumbrian Coastal Kitchen – 100% natural preserves, sauces & fruit vinegars
Rupert Mole – chocolate fountain favourites
Dogs Trust – rehoming, rescue and adoption
Westhouse Pottery – handmade ceramics from the local charity helping people with learning difficulties and disabilities
Coastline Brewery – quality beer and rum from Walney Island
Legendary Sauce Company – handcrafted sauces, salts and more
Kick Ass Cheese – a big range of waxed Cheddar cheeses
The Centre (formerly Ewanrigg Local Trust) – the dedicated Maryport- based team, working with and for the community
Evie’s Pupcakes – gourmet dog cakes and biscuits
Steven Wilson Butchers – fine fresh meats from Corby Hill, Carlisle
Kin Vodka – delicious toffee vodka, toffee apple vodka and gifts
Hallsford Catering – fantastic farm produce, freshly cooked burgers and hot dogs
Shaw Meats – game meats and gluten-free products including salami and charcuterie
The Great British Cheese Company – award-winning truckle cheeses
Natural Isle – sustainably-sourced, beautiful ethical homewares
Barry Baker Art – Maryport’s famed artist
Stonehouse Smokery – artisan carers, smokers and roasters creating big charcuterie flavours
Really Indian – handcrafted fresh sauces
Snif-Snax – Scottish salmon-based dog treats
Blueberry Hill Preserves – big flavours, great tastes and no artificial ingredients
Diplos Pizza – sour dough stone-baked pizza
Cumbria Roast Company – tasty roast meats and all the trimmings
Dosa Chaska – authentic Indian food to eat now or takeaway
Warwick Bridge Cornmill – handground flours, breads and baked treats
Cumbria Fostering – the life-changing family-finding team
Maryport Regeneration Team – discover the town’s exciting new investment projects
Made in Maryport – meet the team bringing artists and cultural groups together
Her Citi Gin Tasting Evening
Cumbria Distilling Company is proud to present a gin tasting evening hosted at Her Citi on Sunday 14th August – a perfect way to round off our second Taste of the Sea festival!
Maryport - Cake-off Competition
We are excited to announce the launch of our first ever ‘Cake Off’ at Taste of Maryport 2022. The winner receiving our top spot prize (and of course title of Cake Off Champion!)
TV star to headline Maryport’s Taste Cumbria Comedy Night
A star of radio, stage and screen will be headlining the Taste Cumbria comedy night at the next Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport. Clinton Baptiste, best known for his appearances with Peter Kay on Channel 4’s Phoenix Nights, will perform at Maryport Rugby League Club, on Saturday 13 August from 7pm.
The flamboyant medium, psychic and clairvoyant, famed for his cringe-worthy comments and complete lack of empathy as he delivers paranormal predictions, is the alter ego of actor Alex Lowe. When he’s not donning Clinton’s blond wig and flashy suits, Alex is also known as Barry from Watford, a regular with Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2, as well as starring in everything from Shakespearian classics to television dramas.
Clinton Baptiste will top the bill at the ever-popular Taste Cumbria comedy night alongside a great line-up of stand up comics. The MC for the evening is Cumbrian festival favourite Mike Wilkinson who compered the event brilliantly in Maryport last year – once he was freed from a loo with a dodgy lock! He has supported the likes of Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas and Ross Noble, as well as headlining clubs all over the country.
Iain Hume promises ‘good classic Scottish banter’ and is ‘wonderfully deadpan with impeccable timing’ according to his reviewers, while Roger Monkhouse has a ‘stage-prowling style’ and is ‘a master of observational comedy’.
Councillor Mike Johnson, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council which organises the Taste Cumbria events, said: “We’ve got a great line-up for the comedy night though I suspect Clinton Baptiste’s set won’t be for the faint hearted! It’s brilliant to be able to bring big names to our festivals, alongside the food and drink and family entertainment taking place in the heart of the towns. This promises to be a fantastic night.”
What’s on where
Saturday 13th August
10am – 5pm – Senhouse Street – Producers’ Market, festival info point, Maryport regeneration exhibition, treasure hunt, Cake Off competition
10am – 5pm – The Wave car park – children’s activities, face painting and fairground rides
10am – 6pm – The harbourside – the Vici Demo Kitchen, Young Entrepreneurs Market, hot food court, drinks tent, picnic area, Taste of the Sea stalls & seaside activities with Cumbria Wildlife Trust
10am – 5pm – The Settlement, High Street – film showing ‘At Home in the Steep Places: The Story of Bill Peascod’ & Urban Sketchers exhibition
7pm – Maryport Rugby Club – Taste Cumbria Comedy Night (tickets required)
Sunday 14th August
10am – 4pm – Senhouse Street – Producers’ Market, festival info point, Maryport regeneration exhibition, treasure hunt
10am – 4pm – The Wave car park – children’s activities and fairground rides
10am – 4pm – The harbourside – the Vici Demo Kitchen, Young Entrepreneurs Market, hot food court, drinks tent, picnic area, Taste of the Sea stalls & seaside activities with Cumbria Wildlife Trust
10am – 4pm – The Settlement, High Street – film showing ‘At Home in the Steep Places: The Story of Bill Peascod’ & Urban Sketchers exhibition
4.30pm – 6pm – Her Citi, Crosby Street–Gin Tasting Evening (tickets required)
Expert demos on The Vici Demonstration Stage, on the harbourside
Saturday 13th August
11am – 11:30 – Yvonne Gainford
1pm – 1:30pm – Jon Fell
2pm – 2:30pm – John Crouch
2:30pm – 3pm – The Rum Story
3pm – 3:30pm – WigaWagaa
4pm – 4:30pm – Cumbria Distilling Co.
Sunday 14th August
12:00 – 12:30pm – The Rum Story
1pm – 1:30pm – Jon Fell
2pm – 2:30pm – John Crouch
3pm – 3:30pm – WigaWagaa
Step back in time...
Three oral history films which revisit Maryport from decades gone by will go on show at the Taste of the Sea festival. They explore the north and south of Senhouse Street, as well as Crosby Street, and give a fascinating insight into the town’s past.
The films, which last around 30 minutes each, will be shown in the festival marquee on the harbourside at the following times:
Saturday 13th August
10am – Senhouse Street North
10.30am – Senhouse Street South
5.15pm – Crosby Street
Sunday 14th August
10am – Senhouse Street North
10.30am – Senhouse Street South
11am – Crosby Street
Getting here
The nearest mainline train station is Carlisle – change here for the train to Maryport on the Cumbrian Coast Line. If you are travelling by car, follow the A595 from Carlisle, or leave the M6 at junction 42, take the A595 or A596 west and you should be here in just less than an hour. Here’s the bus timetable. And here’s a link to trains.
Parking
Travelling to our Maryport festival on 13/14 August? Here’s a handy link to the car parks. If you’re parking on the street, please check local signs for restrictions. You’ll need a timing disc for many of them – these are available from many local businesses.
Accommodation
Make a weekend of it by booking some accommodation. Allerdale has an excellent range of accommodation from hotels, campsites and B&Bs to self catering. And don’t forget to visit the wealth of independent businesses in Maryport.
Book tickets
Other 2023 dates for your diary
Taste Cumbria Cockermouth – 23 & 24 September 2023
Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth – 9 & 10 December 2023
Insider information