Some Of My Favourite Links

For More Information contact

Whitehaven Tourist Information Centre
Market Hall. Market Place. Whitehaven. Tel: (01946) 852939

Egremont Tourist Information Centre
[owes Court Gallery. Main Street. Egremont.
Tel: (01946) 820693.

Millom Tourist Information Centre
Millom Folk Museum, St. George's Road. Millom.
Tel: (01229) 772555.

How To Find ST BEES

WELCOME TO CUMBRIA`S WESTERN LAKES AND COAST

If you are looking for something a little different, a little quieter and away from the crowds, then welcome to Cumbria`s Western Lakes and Coast. Bounded by the glittering sea and the high mountains and the gentle valleys of the Western Lake District- this is an area of exciting contrasts just waiting to be explored. Discover the wonderful variety of bustling market towns and traditional villages surrounded by a landscape combining rugged fells, dramatic coastline, and peaceful lakes. The photo Below is the shore line of Derwentwater, with Friars Crag in the background, which were the National Trusts first property. Friars Crag also has a memorial to John Ruskin at its summit.

Click The Photo Above To Find Out More About The Lake District

Spend a few days exploring the area`s fascinating history. from mysterious stone circles and Roman Forts to Norman Castles and smuggling tales. The heritage of Cumbria`s Western Lakes and Coast is as rich and diverse as its scenery. The Romans were amongst the area`s first tourists and evidence of their vist can still be seen today, which is why the Coast from Burgh-by-sands to Ravenglass has been designated part of the Hadrian`s Wall World Heritage site. Visitors can see ruins of a Roman Bath House at Ravenglass, which is one of the tallest Roman structures in the Country. Discover what everyday life was like at one of the outposts of the Roman Empire, by visiting the Senhouse Roman Museum at Maryport, where the largest collection of Roman Alters from a single site in Britain is held.

Discover the heritage left behind by coal mining and iron workings which brought prosperity to the West Coast. This fascinating social and indusrial history can be experienced at the Helena Thompson Museum, Workington, Millom Folk Museum.and The Beacon Whitehaven. Discover what it was like to work down an iron ore mine by taking an underground tour of Florence Mine at Egremont, the last deep working iron ore mine in Europe, or ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, which was originally opened in 1895 to transport iron ore, but is now a popular tourist attraction.

WELCOME to the West Cumbrian coastal village of St. Bees. If your interests include walking, cycling, bird watching, playing golf on a splendid 9 hole seaside golf course with panoramic views, sitting on a beach or exploring places of historical interest then this charming village is the place to visit.

St. Bees is named after St. Bega, said to be an Irish princess who landed here, perhaps about 900 AD after sailing across the Irish Sea to avoid an enforced marriage to a Viking chieftain. On the site of an earlier Church now stands the splendid 12th century Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Bega (1). The Church was a Benedictine Priory until its dissolution by Henry Viii in 1539.

From 1815 - 1895 part of the Priory was brought back into use as a small theological college. the first successful training college for Anglican clergy outside the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The buildings remain and are now used by the Parish and St. Bees School.

The footpath beside the Church is known as the 'Dandy Walk', possibly because it was where "dandies" from the theological college walked. In 1981 archaeologists discovered, on the site of a ruined chapel, one of the best preserved medieval bodies in England. The 'History Area' in the Church tells the story of that discovery and displays the shroud of the 'St. Bees Man'.

Opposite the Priory Church is the famous 16th century St.Bees School (2). Founded in 1583 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Edmond Grindal. Born in the village, his Elizabethan house may still be seen on Cross Hill (3). During the summer months the village bursts into colour with displays of flowers for the Cumbria in Bloom competition. It has regularly won the trophy for large villages. Additionally, the village has proudly represented Cumbria in the Britain in Bloom competition.

The magnificent mile long beach (4) is easily reached from the centre of the village. The Promenade (5) is the start of the famous Wainwright ·Coast to Coast' walk, 190 miles to Robin's Hood Bay on the east coast. Walkers are expected to wet their boots in the Irish Sea before they start. The wide promenade along the popular beach has good wheelchair access: there are toilet facilities and a pleasant children's play area nearby. The extensive sands give way to tidal rock pools and wave sculptured rock formations at the foot of St. Bees Head (6).

St. Bees Head has an RSPB bird reserve with one of the largest colonies of sea birds on the West Coast of England, and the only place in England where Black Guillemot breed. The sandstone cliffs. looking across to the Isle of Man, provide a myriad of ledges for other nesting birds; Razorbill, Kittiwake, Eulmar and Herring Gull occur in great numbers in the spring and summer months together with a small population of breeding Puffins.The rugged terrain of the cliffs supports a diverse flora in the crevices and ledges of the sandstone.

One mile farther on is Fleswick Bay (7). which can only be reached on foot or by boat. This is a shingle beach in a spectacular setting surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. From here you can venture another 1/2 mile to the North Head where there are superb views across the Solway from the Lighthouse (8).

To help you get the best out of your holiday please call in to our Tourist Information Point at the Post Office (9) on the map, or our other Tourist Information Centres where the staff give a warm friendly welcome and a wide range of services to help make your visit to St Bees and the Western Lakes & Coast more enjoyable.