The UK is home to many delightful seaside towns. Some are known for their gorgeous beaches, others for their arcades, and some for delicious fish and chips. However, not many can also claim to be the blueprint for New York City. Whitehaven, a small coastal town in Cumbria, has a surprising link to the Big Apple. Historians believe that its grid-like layout, introduced in the 17th century, inspired the famous street plan of Manhattan.
In 1736, Sir John Lowther commissioned a detailed map of Whitehaven known as the “Bird’s Eye View” painting by Matthias Read. It captured the town’s right-angled street grid, wide avenues, and carefully planned layout, something that was unusual in Britain at the time. According to Contours Holidays and Visit Lake District, this design caught the attention of planners working in the American colonies, where many British settlers were establishing new towns.
With Whitehaven’s strong trading links to the US, particularly to ports in Virginia and Maryland, it’s believed that its layout influenced early American town planning, especially in New York.
While there’s no direct documentation linking the two, experts say the similarities are too close to ignore.
The theory is widely repeated by local historians and even featured in museum exhibits in Whitehaven itself.
Described by Whitehaven Town Council as “the Georgian Gem of the North,” the town is thought to be the most complete example of planned Georgian architecture in Europe.
Its street system is now protected by law under the UK’s “Gem Towns” scheme, created in the 1960s to safeguard historically important town centres.
Back in the 1700s, Whitehaven was a big trading port, second only to London and Bristol.
According to Visit Lake District, it had strong links with the US, and the grandmother of George Washington, Mildred Warner Gale, is buried in the town at St Nicholas’ Church.
There’s more American history too. In 1778, naval commander John Paul Jones, considered a founder of the US Navy, launched a raid on Whitehaven.
He had once worked there before emigrating, and although the attack failed, it became one of the most famous moments in the town’s history.
As well as its links to America, Whitehaven has a proud industrial past. It was once home to Saltom Pit, the world’s first major undersea coal mine.
According to Contours Holidays, the town helped pioneer mine safety, with early gas detectors and masks developed in response to dangerous conditions underground.
Visitors can still see some of this history today. The Haig Pit Museum and The Beacon Museum both display Whitehaven’s coal and maritime heritage, while nearby coastal walks offer views of the town’s remaining Georgian buildings and former mining sites.
The Rum Story museum also tells the tale of Whitehaven’s role in the rum trade, and the area is known for its restored harbour, historic churches, and independent shops and cafes.