St Bees & Egremont
By popular request we decided in 2007 to introduce a third possible start to the route: St Bees, the seaside neighbour of the newly vibrant Egremont. St Bees is the tried and trusted start to the Coast to Coast walk, famously founded by Alfred Wainwright in 1973. It is also a lovely coastal setting and a splendid but smaller alternative to the bustling charms of Whitehaven and Workington. The Egremont area has been mining iron ore and quarrying for more than 800 years and it is home to Florence Mine, the last deep Iron Ore mine in Western Europe. There is plenty of eager and competitive accommodation in Egremont, plus numerous hostelries and eateries in the area. Indeed, huge efforts are being put into the regeneration of this former weaving and dyeing town. Egremont's hidden gems include the Norman Castle with its literary connection to Wordsworth's Bal ad of the Horn of Egremont; Hartley's ice cream factory and shop; Lowes Court Gallery and its Tourist Information Centre, 01946 820693, with exhibitions of Cumbrian artists and local crafts. As a 'Fairtrade Town' Egremont has a number of shops sel ing locally produced and sourced foods and holds a Farmers Market on the third Friday of every month in the Market Hal .The main street has a variety of facilities, shops, pubs and takeaways catering for visitor needs. During the annual Crab Fair, which celebrated its 840th anniversary in September 2007, the greasy pole climbing and gurning (face pulling) events draw large crowds of locals and visitors. Indeed, the town is synonymous with that time honoured English tradition of gurning.
This year wil see further improvements to the town and its facilities, such as circular cycling routes, riverside walks and new planting to the town's entrances as part of the Egremont Market Town Initiative work.
The Tourist Information Centre at Lowes Court Gal ery is always there for details of things to do in and around the town. 01946 820693
The local regeneration partnership is keen to improve the visitor offer further and welcomes your comments, suggestions and information by email, through its website or by post: regeneration@VisitEgremont.co.uk www.virtualegremont.co.uk
De Lucy Centre, 15 Market Place, Egremont, CA22 2AF 01946 828 101 or 07795 290826
Directions
St Bees to merge point with Whitehaven route
Those arriving at St Bees by train should leave the station to the Priory Church side and make their way along the 'Coach Road' past the petrol station and garage to the beach.
St Bees Head is the most westerly point in the North of England and on a clear day from the promenade you can look out to the Isle of Man, 20 miles or so off the coast.
The first stage of the route takes you to Egremont, four miles away. Leave the beach car park and take the first right along the straight road to the Station. Cross the level crossing and continue up the Main Street past the Platform 9 restaurant and the Queens Hotel on your right, the Manor House Hotel and the post office on your left.
At the next junction you have the choice to take: The challenging route left up Outrigg (20%) and over Baybarrow, with rewarding views over to Ennerdale, Wasdale and down the coast to Eskdale and further
Or continue up the Main Street to take the second right - signposted for the Hadrians Way C72 route - and fol ow the coast (Nethertown Road) and charming single-track lanes to Coulderton, then head inland for Egremont and the Lakes.
At the T-junction in Coulderton head right to Middletown, taking first left just before the telephone box. Fol ow the lane for a short while, but instead of heading right, go straight on past Black Ling and Pickett How, up the narrow minor road. Make sure to enjoy views across to Dent Fel - the western edge of the Lake District as you head towards Egremont. Arriving in Egremont, take time to visit the Castle (pictured), then fol ow the national cycle route 72 which is clearly signed through the town and out to the north.
About a mile north of Egremont is Clintz Quarry Nature Reserve, a limestone quarry of dramatic proportions with 100ft cliffs. It is home to some rare orchids in May and June, and is a sanctuary for birds.
Accommodation
| Fairladies Barn Guest House, Main St, St Bees, Cumbria CA27 0AD | |
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Beautiful 17th century sandstone barn that looks as if it has been transported from one of those picture postcard villages in the Dordogne. Luxury accommodation at affordable prices. |
Run by: Will & Nicola Corrie 
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Telephone : 01946 822718 |
Rooms : 4D, 3T, 2F (1D & 1T with shared bathroom) |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Stone House Farm, Main St, St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DE | |
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Friendly family run bed and breakfast in a large modernised Georgian farmhouse in the centre of the village, near the railway station and local shops, restaurants and hotels. Only three minutes' ride from the start of the C2C (not to mention Wainwright's coast to coast walk). Full English breakfast and free parking. There is, however, a charge for long stay car parking of £2.50 per night. |
Run by: Carole Smith 
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Telephone : 01946 822224 |
Rooms : 1S, 2T, 1F 2D, 1Tpl. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Queens Hotel, Main St, St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DE | |
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17th century hotel with a cosy country pub atmosphere: oak beams and log fires in the winter. There are two real ale bars and a decent wine list. The restaurant has been comfortably and tastefully refurbished and all meals are cooked on the premises using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Large conservatory and terraced garden. Secure cycle storage. |
Run by: Mark Smedley 
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Telephone : 01946 822287 |
Rooms : 4S, 3T, 1F, 4D |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Albert Hotel, 1 Finkle St, St Bees, Cumbria, CA 27 0BN | |
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Clean and well run hotel at the bottom of Main St. A popular pub as well, with a pleasant beer garden. Carole obviously loves her job and the atmosphere is as warm as a steak pie. Secure storage and whopping breakfasts for those who like a challenging start. Astonishing value and very tidy rooms, all with huge Georgian sash windows. |
Run by: Albert Hotel 
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Telephone : 01946 822345 |
Rooms : 2D, 3T, 2S |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Horse & Groom Court, Horse & Groom Court, Market Place, Egremont CA22 2AE | |
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Right in the town centre, in the centre of the Western Lakes, the Horse & Groom offers budget en-suite accommodation for families, walkers and cyclists. It is self-catering and there are plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants nearby. There is a secure lock-up for bikes and cleaning facilities. |
Run by: Rob Merrett 
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Tel : 01946 758198 |
Rooms : 1 six bed dorm, 1Q, 2T. All en-suite wet rooms |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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