St Bees

Coastal walking at the start of the Coast to Coast Path

St Bees is a coastal village in Cumbria, set beside the Irish Sea between Whitehaven and the sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head. The village marks the western start of the Coast to Coast Path, making it an important starting point for walkers preparing to cross northern England.

The Coast to Coast Path begins beside the beach before climbing onto St Bees Head. Rather than immediately heading east, the route first follows the coast north across the clifftops, giving walkers an opening stretch of sea views and exposed coastal landscape before turning inland towards the Cumbrian countryside.

St Bees Head forms the dominant landscape immediately north of the village. Red sandstone cliffs rise above the Irish Sea, with grassland and coastal paths extending across the headland. From higher ground there are broad views along the Cumbrian coast and, in clear conditions, across the Irish Sea.

The village itself has places to eat and drink, accommodation and a railway station, making it a practical base for exploring the coast as well as arriving before a longer walk. The beach, village and surrounding paths also make St Bees a walking destination in its own right rather than simply a departure point for the Coast to Coast Path.

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Exploring St Bees on foot

Walking from St Bees can range from shorter coastal routes around St Bees Head to the opening stage of the Coast to Coast Path. The immediate landscape combines beach, clifftop grassland and exposed headlands, with paths climbing quickly from sea level onto higher ground above the Irish Sea.

North of the village, the clifftop path crosses St Bees Head before the Coast to Coast Path turns inland towards Ennerdale Bridge. Walkers continuing east leave the coast behind and gradually approach the mountains and valleys of the Lake District National Park, creating a marked transition between the maritime landscape around St Bees and the upland country ahead.

For a shorter day, St Bees Head can be explored independently of the long-distance trail. Coastal paths provide views along the Cumbrian shoreline, while routes through the surrounding countryside can be combined with the beach and village to create shorter walks without continuing towards Ennerdale.

The railway station also makes St Bees useful for exploring this part of the Cumbrian coast without a car. Services along the coast provide connections towards Whitehaven and other settlements, allowing walking from St Bees to be combined with journeys farther along the shoreline.

For walkers beginning the Coast to Coast Path, staying in St Bees the night before provides time to arrive, explore the beach and headland and prepare for the route before setting out the following morning. The Manor Inn provides a village base close to the coast and western trailhead, with St Bees Head accessible on foot and the start of the long-distance route nearby.