Whitehaven is a beautiful harbour town, with a rich heritage. Recent development has seen the town undergo a dramatic transformation. The harbour dates from 1634 when the first pier was built, Queens dock opened 200 years later. During the mid 18th century, the port of Whitehaven was the third largest in England. Great prosperity was gained during this time with trade around the world. In recent years the harbour has been re-developed and is now home to one of the UK's best marina's with space for over 400 craft. The extensive restoration programmes of recent years have won awards and much praise from many organisations, including English Heritage, who regularly use Whitehaven as an example of best practice. These schemes aim to maintain the character and history of Whitehaven. Flowers adorn most of the town's buildings, streets and parks 365 days a year, helping to make it the winner of 'Cumbria in Bloom' many, many times in recent years.