North Allerdale is predominantly rural, with small interspersed settlements and villages on the outskirts of the three principle towns of Aspatria, Silloth and Wigton. The area is made up of 32 parishes within 9 wards.

Wigton is the largest of the three rural towns in North Allerdale and was the centre of a Norman barony in around 1100 A.D. The ancient market town of Wigton evolved within a pre-medieval street plan that still can be traced today. The town still has a largely unspoiled Georgian centre.

Aspatria was, historically, a centre of agricultural excellence as it featured one of the first Agricultural Colleges in Europe. Aspatria has a linear town centre, running along the county's A596 trunk road.

Silloth is a purpose-built Victorian seaside resort and is unique in the area as it features wide, tree-lined cobbled streets and the largest green in the north of England.

The three market towns have a long established history and identity. In recent years, all three have suffered a decline in their services and facilities, which has contributed to a downward trend in their general prosperity. Through these and other pressures the character, identity and sense of purpose of these historic market towns has been under-threat.

The North Allerdale Partnership (NAP) came together to address these issues collectively across the whole area, whilst individual town partnerships worked on Action Plans that could identify local issues and projects focussed mainly on the town centres.

The NAP has a structure which is both community-focused and community-led, and has involvement from a range of interests ranging from business associations, to local residents, to Voluntary Sector organisations.

Funding for NAP finished in Summer 2008.