When you think of Cumbria, you may think of mountains, lakes and woodland. Yet Cumbria has more than 200 miles of coastline on the Irish Sea, made up of stunning beaches, majestic castles and traditional seaside towns waiting to be discovered. Stretching from the Solway Firth in the north to Morecambe Bay in the south, the beaches in Cumbria are some of the most scenic in Britain.
The Cumbrian coastline has a fascinating industrial history. Shipbuilding, coal and iron ore mining, steel making and chemical manufacture have all been major employers, though these industries are on the decline. Today, the county welcomes visitors to their museums, coastal walks and sandy beaches, all while honouring the region’s industrial past.
One way to discover the Cumbrian coast is to take a train along the Cumbrian Coast Line rail journey which begins at Maryport, stopping in coastal villages such as the former mining port of Whitehaven, the pretty village of St Bees and seaside town, Grange-Over-Sands. Alternatively, the Cumbrian Coastal Route (CCR 200) is a special 200-mile route, aimed at motorhome and campervan owners, exploring the hidden gems of the Cumbrian coast. Or, if you’re limited on time, beaches in Cumbria are perfect for a day excursion, perhaps for a walk along the Cumbrian Coastal Way (CCW).
If you’re interested in discovering the isolated bays, picturesque headlands and beautiful islands of the coast of Cumbria, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best beaches in Cumbria from north to south along the scenic Cumbrian coastline.
The town of Silloth Cumbria, on the Solway Firth, was once a Victorian seaside resort. Today the town is a popular destination for families, with a mini water park for youngsters, seaside amusements and a summer fun fair. There is a man-made harbour and area of greenery known as ‘The Green’ here which is used to host a variety of events throughout the year. Beyond the docks, which are over 150 years old, Silloth Beach has a stunning expanse of clean sand, backed by dunes. From the beach there are views across the Solway Firth towards the hills of southern Scotland.
Stretching for 5 miles, Allonby Beach of the Solway Coast beaches is made up of sand, shingle and pebbles along the tide mark. From the beach there are attractive views across the Solway Estuary and towards the Lake District and Scottish fells. The area has some interesting flora and fauna and just next to the beach, the small village of Allonby retains some of its interesting 18th century features. For walkers, the Cumbria Coastal Way passes through the village of Allonby.
In Georgian times the town of Whitehaven was a bustling hub of mining and shipping. Today, the area is quite popular with sea-anglers and fossils are sometimes found amongst the shingle on the shoreline. From Whitehaven Beach, Cumbria, it is possible to take an exhilarating cliff-top walk along the coast to St Bees Head and beyond to the RSPB Reserve, offering views over to the hills of Dumfries and Galloway and over to the Isle of Man on a clear day. Just behind the Whitehaven Beach lies the town, with its Georgian buildings, shops, places to eat and parking.
Located on the Cumbrian coast, St Bees is a popular destination thanks to its expansive sandy beach and the striking red cliffs of St Bees Head, Cumbria’s most westerly point. Below the cliffs, St Bees Beach offers plenty of sand with intriguing rock pools, so great for kids and families to explore. St Bees beach is also the start of Wainwright’s ‘Coast to Coast’ walk, which runs for 190 miles, including stunning stretches in the Lake District, before concluding at Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast.
Once a popular destination among Victorian holidaymakers, Seascale Beach Cumbria is one of the beaches in Cumbria that is well worth a visit. Seascale Beach boasts a beautiful expanse of golden sand which is perfect for walking with dogs and children can enjoy beachcombing and paddling in the sea. From the beach, there are views out over the Irish Sea and on a clear day it is possible to see the hills of Galloway. The jetty stretching into the sea from the beach is also a popular spot for fishing.
The village of Haverigg lies on the Duddon Estuary a short distance from the town of Millom. Of the beaches in Cumbria, Haverigg is worth mentioning for its expansive sandy beach, popular with kite flyers and dog walkers. You’ll also find plenty of sand dunes here, making it a good place to visit for families with children. Haverigg Beach is close to the Hodbarrow RSPB nature reserve on the edge of Hodbarrow Lagoon.
Located on the Cumbrian coast on the edge of the Lake District National Park, Silecroft Beach sits beneath the majestic Black Combe Fell with an elevation of 600 metres. The beach extends in both directions as far as the eye can see. It is popular with both locals and day-trippers as the vast expanse of sand is suitable for kiting, horse-riding and other activities. On a clear day it is possible to see the Isle of Man and the beach gets some spectacular summer sunsets!
Located around 3 miles north of Barrow-in-Furness, Roanhead Beach boasts a picturesque sandy beach with great views of the Duddon Estuary and the Lake District fells beyond. Roanhead Beach is popular with locals and visitors alike who want to soak up the summer sun or enjoy some beach activities on the wide expanse of sand. The beach has a pay and display car park and the Red Hut Café which serves refreshments during the summer months.
Earnse Bay (also known as ‘West Shore’) is a sand and shingle beach located along the western side of Walney Island near Barrow-in-Furness. The beach offers panoramic views of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man and the Lake District mountains, with windfarms in the foreground. The beach is backed by grass and a sand dune system forming a nature reserve to the north. It is a popular spot for both windsurfing and kitesurfing with a kite surf school on the beach.
Last on our guide to the best Cumbrian beaches is Grange-Over-Sands. While Grange-Over-Sands beach is not actually a beach as such, visitors will find a long promenade running alongside a wide expanse of saltmarsh. The saltmarsh itself is unsuitable for walking because of the dangerous quick sands, but a walk along Grange-Over-Sands promenade is highly recommended. There are lovely views across Morecambe Bay and plenty of benches to relax on as well a café for refreshments, making it a good place to bring children.
The Cumbrian coastline offers a stunning array of beaches to cater to all types of visitors, from families seeking a fun day out to nature enthusiasts wanting to immerse themselves the region’s natural beauty. The beaches in Cumbria are some of the most scenic in Britain, yet often overlooked by visitors to Cumbria meaning they are clean, pristine and often quiet. Next time you’re in the area, pay one of these fantastic Cumbrian beaches a visit and discover a new side to this rural county.
That brings us to the end of our best beaches in Cumbria round up, but there are plenty of other unique and unusual things to do in Cumbria and the Lake District. Explore local artists, manufactures, makers, producers and more on the Made in Cumbria website.
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©Cumbria Chamber of Commerce 2023 | By: We Are Digital
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