"Whitburn has retained its village character, with a lovely main street, a parish church and cricket ground of sheer delight. Whitburn Village has famous literary links with Lewis Carroll and he is believed to have had his inspiration for Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass while on holiday here. A statue of the great man stands in the local library". [
http://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/lotstosee/towns.asp#whitburn ]
The game of Lawn Tennis may have originated at Whitburn Hall in 1876. See
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/whitburn-news/Is-Whitburn-the-home-of.36 39604.jp