St Bees, Cumbria – Coast to Coast Start on the Irish Sea

Red Sandstone Cliffs, Open Sea Views, and England’s Western Trailhead

St Bees is a coastal village on the west Cumbrian shoreline at the official start and finish of the Coast to Coast Path, set between Whitehaven and St Bees Head. The route reaches the Irish Sea beside a long sandy beach before climbing onto the cliffs that mark the beginning of the crossing of northern England.

The settlement centres on the seafront and the historic priory church, with streets extending inland between stone houses and small gardens. From the beach, the path rises quickly onto St Bees Head, following grassy clifftop ground with wide views along the Irish Sea coast and out across open water.

St Bees offers practical facilities for walkers. There are cafés, pubs, small shops, guesthouses, and accommodation in and around the village, making it a common place to start early, finish late, or stay overnight before or after the route. The railway station on the Cumbrian Coast Line provides connections to Whitehaven, Workington, and Carlisle.

Beyond St Bees, the Coast to Coast Path turns inland through farmland and quiet lanes toward Sandwith and Ennerdale Bridge, where the route enters the Lake District National Park. To the north, the Cumbria Coastal Way continues along beaches and low cliffs toward Whitehaven. The terrain remains open and exposed, shaped by sea air, grassland, and broad coastal views.