West Cumbria Percy Kelly Trails

Last autumn I took friends who are serious Kelly collectors to Maryport. I shared their delight as they recognised the subject of some of their paintings. We found the place where Percy sat to paint: the vistas he liked. We went on to Allonby to Glen Cottage where PK lived for 12 years. They came back for more a few months later and we enjoyed finding Kelly’s viewpoints in Whitehaven and Parton. In all these coastal towns Kelly’s presence was everywhere we looked. Many of the places were easily recognisable but I began to recognise paintings which I had simply titled, white cottage, road to the sea, red barn. That was when the idea of Kelly Trails was born. .This is the result. You are invited to explore. You are invited to see the landscape, the buildings, the towns through Percy Kelly's eyes..

The trails have been formed totally through Kelly's paintings and drawings. Some have changed over the years and others are the same as the moment he painted them. They can be done in any order.

The trails stretch from Allonby in the North to St Bees in the South. They are suitable for all grades of fitness from a short stroll to a challenging coastal walk. All can all be reached by public transport. Timetables are given but can be subject to change. Please check before relying on them. The coastal railway which runs from Carlisle to Barrow in Furness and Lancaster. This railway line is one of the UK's best kept sevrets. It clings to the coastline from Maryport south to Lancaster giving breathtaking views. It often runs between the road and the sea.

Allonby, a few miles north of Maryport is the only place not on the railwaly line but there is a bus from Maryport (infrequent) or it is a lovely walk along the beach and sand dunes from Maryport passing many of the locations Kelly painted as well as Roman sites before reaching the village.

You can download the trails to your i-phone, i-pad or purchase a box of all 6 trails each 20 pages for each trail venue from this web site or associated outlets on each trail. Feedback tells us that people prefer the trail box because it is nice to have and give as a present

All trails except Allonby start and finish at a station or car park.