The largest towns in Cumbria are Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, followed by Kendal and Whitehaven. Each of these places are home to a variety of industries in addition to tourism and hospitality. Carlisle, example, was traditionally a manufacturing border town and is still home to many international manufacturing companies including Nestle, McVities and Pirelli Tyres today. At the other end of the county Barrow has a rich history as an industrial town and was once one of the largest steel and iron producers in the world. It is still a major hub today for shipbuilding, maritime industry and is home to large companies such as BAE Systems whose submarine base resides here and offers employment to many of the local population, directly or indirectly.
In addition to manufacturing and tourism, agriculture has had its roots here for thousands of years. The very landscapes for which this county is famous for, rolling green hills, rocky terrain, wet valleys bisected by dry stone walls and a plethora of grazing animals, are testament to the farming culture ingrained within so many families in Cumbria to this day.
Cumbria and the Lake District bring visitors here who come for the scenery, adventure activities, leisure and food and drink culture. Yet the climate, geography and sprawling coast have enabled Cumbria to do more, be more, make more. The varied industries that call this county home are proof of how the landscapes here inspire, motivate and attract people here for all sorts of different reasons.
