Pictures of St Bees

a Coastal Village in the county of Cumbria

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About St Bees

St.Bees, the most westerly coastal village on the wild cumbrian coast, is a vision of loveliness, with dream-like scenery to which the red sandstone bluff of St.Bees Head forms a dramatic back-drop. There is a unique sense of peace pervading this special place, perhaps this is due to the legend of a priory being founded here by St. Bega who landed here in 900 AD and who was thought to be an Irish princess.

The scenery here inspired Alfred Wainwright to choose St.Bees as the start of his 'coast to coast' walk devised in 1972. And a wealth of fascinating wildlife is largely responsible for the RSPB Nature Reserve perched on the headland that is home to a variety of wild sea birds amongst which are Puffins, terns and a rare colony of Black Guillemots. From the soft, springy turf of the headland there are fabulous views of lofty sandstone cliffs sweeping down to lonely beaches fringed by tumbling waves.

Attractive buildings are a feature of St.Bees village. As you wander around you note a pleasant mix of architecture, sweet cottages dating from around the 17th-century blend easily with handsome Georgian dwellings, grand Victorian Hotel's and historic, atmospheric inns. The village has the usual assortment of village shops here the owner greets you with a welcoming smile. Any visitor arriving here in search of accommodation, will find themselves spoilt for choice. The village stages several enjoyable music, drama and art festivals throughout the year and at the side of the beach there is an adventure playground for children.

The beach is a paradise for everyone. High tide reveals a beach of golden shingle but once the tide recedes you see a vast expanse of gorgeous red sand. It has an ENCAMS seaside award, so you are assured of the quality and cleanliness of the water. There is no harbour but boats can be launched and landed from a slipway of a nearby hotel. Footpaths lead from the beach to the top of the headland and to the lighthouse at North Head. It is well worth the long walk up, for from the top on a clear day there are extensive views across the ocean to the Isle of Man. It is an unforgettable sight, a memory to treasure forever.

Places to visit include: The Church of St.Mary and St.Bega, St.Bees Head Nature Reserve, Egremont Castle, Ennerdale Water, Ennerdale Forest and Calder Bridge.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near St Bees

St Bees Head	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
St. Bees Lighthouse	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Ennerdale Water	(8.4 miles, 13.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Crummock Water	(12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Wast Water	(12.4 miles, 19.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Muncaster Castle	(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Lorton Vale	(14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Stanley Force	(14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Cockermouth Castle	(14.9 miles, 23.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Eskdale	(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Maryport Lighthouse	(15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
Hardknott Roman Fort	(16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Hardknott Pass	(16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Whinlatter Forest Park	(16.5 miles, 26.6 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Honister Slate Mine	(16.8 miles, 27.0 km, direction E)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near St Bees

Whitehaven in the county of Cumbria (4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction N)
This attractive, historic Cumbrian resort owes much to the ingenuity of the Lowther family, who developed Whitehaven as a port for shipping and the export of Cumbrian coal.
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Workington in the county of Cumbria (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction N)
Ancient market town of quintessential English charm, where you could easily swap the modern day cars parked in gracious tree-lined avenues for the horse and carriage of Victorian times.
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Nether Wasdale in the county of Cumbria (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SE)
Nether Wasdale lies opposite Wasdale Head at the western fringe of Wast Water.
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Loweswater in the county of Cumbria (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction NE)
Loweswater is centred in a landscape of grandeur, it is surrounded by Mellbreak Fell, Carling Knott Fell and Burnbank Fell, all excellent climbing and walking country giving views of a mountainous landscape reflected in sun-kissed pewter waters.
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Ravenglass in the county of Cumbria (11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction SE)
Special for being the only coastal village within the Lake District National Park, Ravenglass lies where three important rivers converge into the sea.
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Eskdale Green in the county of Cumbria (12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction SE)
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Buttermere in the county of Cumbria (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction E)
Even when swirling mist rolls in over the stark fells surrounding Buttermere, the little hamlet remains serene in its simplicity and beauty.
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Wasdale Head in the county of Cumbria (13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction E)
Vast, lonely landscape of towering fells, jewel like streams and tarns situated at the head of the Wasdale Valley with the mighty Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain and Great Gable forming an almost uniformity range of mountains in the distance.
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Boot in the county of Cumbria (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SE)
Boot is one of Lakeland's precious jewels, a charming stone village surrounded by towering scenery which includes two of the regions most scenic waterfalls, the Dalegarth Force and Birker Force.
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Cockermouth in the county of Cumbria (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction NE)
Cockermouth is ideally placed to be used as a centre for touring the Lake District National Park. It has a High Street seemingly unaltered, and is ringed by some of the finest scenery in England.
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Maryport in the county of Cumbria (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction N)
Today, first and foremost Maryport is a splendid resort town on the beautiful Solway coast, it is steeped in the maritime history of two thousand years of sea.
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Seatoller in the county of Cumbria (16.9 miles, 27.2 km, direction E)
Seatoller, set in one of the most beautiful and exciting landscapes to be found in the lakes, gains its prosperity as a centre for climbers and walkers.
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Borrowdale in the county of Cumbria (17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction E)
There is little doubt that Borrowdale possess some of the most unforgettable of all in the vast landscape of The Lake District National Park.
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Rosthwaite in the county of Cumbria (17.6 miles, 28.3 km, direction E)
Small as Rosthwaite may be, it has magic and serenity coupled with some of the most unforgettable sights in the Lake District National Park
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Grange in Borrowdale in the county of Cumbria (17.7 miles, 28.6 km, direction E)
A picturesque village in the Borrowdale valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in England.
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Nearby travel help

St. Bees Station	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Nethertown Station	(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction S)
M6 Junction 41	(34.7 miles, 55.8 km, direction E)
M6 Junction 40	(35.0 miles, 56.4 km, direction E)
Isle of Man Airport	(50.7 miles, 81.6 km, direction SW)
Blackpool Airport	(54.4 miles, 87.5 km, direction SE)
St Bees to London	(251.7 miles, 404.9 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in St Bees

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from St Bees center
Ennerdale Hotel	(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction NE)
Hunday Manor Country House Hotel	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction N)
Waverley Hotel	(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction N)
The Melbreak Country Hotel	(11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction NE)
The Pennington	(11.8 miles, 19.1 km, direction SE)
Shepherds Hotel	(13.8 miles, 22.1 km, direction NE)
Broughton Craggs Hotel	(13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction NE)
Allerdale Court Hotel	(14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction NE)
Borrowdale Gates Country House Hotel	(17.5 miles, 28.2 km, direction E)
Scafell Hotel	(17.7 miles, 28.4 km, direction E)
All hotels in St Bees