Things to Do around St. Bees

St. Bees offers a variety of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Mountain biking. The region features over 90 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 1,200 ratings.

St. Bees Head is a striking red sandstone bluff and the most westerly point of Northern England. Its towering cliffs, reaching over 300 feet, offer dramatic views across the Irish Sea. It is also home to an RSPB Nature Reserve, hosting the only cliff-nesting seabird colony in Northwest England.

Yes, St. Bees is the starting point for the 190-mile Coast to Coast Walk. Numerous local trails, such as the St. Bees Heritage Trail and the Red Hills walk, offer panoramic coastal and sea views. Easy hikes are available, including loops around St. Bees Lighthouse and to Fleswick Bay. More information can be found in the Hiking around St. Bees guide.

The region provides diverse road cycling opportunities, including sections of the C2C (Coast to Coast) route. The Hadrian's Cycleway (Route 72) also passes through or near St. Bees, offering scenic coastal roads and quiet back lanes. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes around St. Bees guide.

St. Bees offers family-friendly options, including a mile-long sandy beach with a wide promenade, toilets, and a children's play area. For hiking, there are easy trails suitable for various fitness levels, such as loops around St. Bees Lighthouse. Family-friendly hikes are detailed in the Family-friendly hikes around St. Bees guide.

Popular touring cycling routes include the Ennerdale Bridge and Egremont loop, which is approximately 22 miles (35 kilometers) and explores coastal views and Lake District landscapes. Another option is the Seascale Beach – Ravenglass Viaduct loop, around 35 miles (56 kilometers), offering varied terrain. More routes are available in the Cycling around St. Bees guide.

St. Bees provides routes for runners along dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and coastal paths. Popular jogging routes include the View of St Bees Beach – Fleswick Bay loop, approximately 8 miles (13 kilometers), and the St Bega Statue – St Bees railway station loop, about 5 miles (7 kilometers). Details are available in the Running Trails around St. Bees guide.

St. Bees is the official starting point for Alfred Wainwright's iconic 190-mile Coast to Coast Walk. This long-distance footpath attracts walkers from across the globe, beginning at St. Bees Head and traversing England to Robin Hood's Bay on the east coast.

Yes, St. Bees offers traffic-free cycling options for both touring and road cyclists. These routes provide opportunities to explore the area without vehicle traffic. Specific routes can be found in the Traffic-free bike rides around St. Bees guide.

The official village website for St. Bees is stbees.org.uk. This site provides local information and resources for visitors and residents.

St. Bees features 92 routes across various sports on komoot. These routes have been explored by more than 20,000 visitors and hold an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

St. Bees has a history spanning over 1,000 years. Notable historical sites include the impressive Norman St. Bees Priory and St. Bees School, which was founded in 1583. The distinctive red sandstone used in many historic buildings throughout Cumbria originates from the area.