Cumbria Coastal Way

Cumbria Coastal Way
Name	Cumbria Coastal Way
Location	Cumbria, England
Length	~150 miles
Trailheads	St Bees, Carlisle
Use	Hiking
Difficulty	Moderate
Season	Year-round

Cumbria Coastal Way The Cumbria Coastal Way is a long-distance recreational footpath following the Cumbrian coast between St Bees and the Solway Firth near Carlisle. The route runs through the historic counties and districts of Copeland, Allerdale, Carlisle and skirts the edges of Lake District National Park and Morecambe Bay environs. Walkers encounter coastal towns, estuaries, historic ports, military sites, industrial heritage and natural habitats that link to wider networks such as the Cumbrian Way and the England Coast Path.

Route description

The trail begins at St Bees Head, passing beneath the St Bees Head Nature Reserve sea cliffs and across red sandstone headlands to Whitehaven and the former coal-exporting harbour of Workington. It continues north past Maryport and the Roman coastal fort at Roman Maryport to the low-lying saltmarshes of Allonby and the Solway Plain, then skirts the mudflats of Drumburgh Moss before reaching the city of Carlisle. En route the footpath crosses or adjoins sites such as Sellafield, the Victorian piers at Silloth-on-Solway, the estuary of the Esk and the tidal reaches of the Derwent. The Way connects with long-distance routes including the Cumbrian Coastal Route (A595), sections of the Coast to Coast Walk and the regional trail network linking Keswick, Barrow-in-Furness and Whitehaven.

History and development

Coastal access in Cumbria has been shaped by Roman occupation, medieval ports and industrial-era infrastructure such as the Whitehaven Harbour Act-era improvements and the 19th-century railway expansion by companies like the Whitehaven and Furness Junction Railway. The modern path owes much to late 20th-century local authority initiatives involving Cumbria County Council, district councils and voluntary bodies such as Ramblers groups and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Proposals for a continuous coastal path were debated alongside national access legislation including the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and later initiatives tied to the England Coast Path project administered by Natural England. Historic sites encountered include remains from the Roman Britain period, medieval fishing villages recorded in the Domesday Book, and industrial heritage tied to the West Cumberland Coalfield and the Ironworks of Cumbria.

Access and transport

Access points are served by rail stations at St Bees railway station, Whitehaven railway station, Workington railway station and Maryport railway station, with connecting services on the Cumbrian Coast Line. Road access is available from the A595 road and local roads connecting A66 road and M6 motorway corridors. Bus services operated by companies such as Stagecoach Group and community transport schemes link towns including Silloth-on-Solway, Allonby and Wigton. Ferries and tidal crossings historically connected estuaries at Morecambe Bay and Solway Firth, while modern cycle routes like the C2C intersect the coastal corridor. Park-and-ride and visitor car parks at locations like St Bees and Silloth provide trailhead parking; car clubs and rail promotions by Network Rail and local authorities support multi-modal access.

Natural environment and wildlife

The coastal landscape comprises sandstone headlands, pebble beaches, sandflats, saltmarsh and coastal dunes that host flora and fauna recorded by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Seabird colonies, including kittiwakes and guillemots, nest on cliffs at St Bees Head, while intertidal zones support waders such as oystercatcher, redshank and curlew frequenting the Solway Firth Special Protection Area. Habitats include maritime grassland and mudflat systems that underpin populations of migratory species on the East Atlantic Flyway. Inland reedbeds, lagoons and freshwater marshes around sites like Drigg and Allonby provide refuge for bearded reedlings and reed warblers noted by local recording groups and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Marine mammals such as harbour porpoise and occasional grey seal sightings are reported along the Cumbrian shelf.

Landmarks and points of interest

Key cultural landmarks include the St Bees Priory, the Georgian port town of Whitehaven with its planned streets, the Senhouse Roman Museum at Maryport, and the maritime heritage of Workington and Silloth-on-Solway. Industrial archaeology appears at sites like the Haig Colliery mining remains and the nuclear complex at Sellafield, which frames debates over heritage and environment. Military and defensive sites include remnants of Hadrian's Wall extension works near the coast, World War II installations and coastal artillery positions preserved by local museums. Natural attractions include the dramatic cliffs of St Bees Head and panoramic views over Morecambe Bay, while heritage railways such as the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway corridor nearby evoke Victorian transport history. Cultural events in coastal towns tie to festivals recorded by borough councils and heritage trusts.

Walking and safety information

Walkers should prepare for tidal regimes of the Solway Firth and the quicksands and tidal channels influenced by the Irish Sea and the Rivers Eden and Esk. Advice from local authorities, harbour masters and organisations such as Mountain Rescue England and Wales and county-based rescue teams is recommended for tidal crossings and winter storms. Waymarking varies; navigation relies on Ordnance Survey map sheets and path descriptions produced by bodies like Ramblers and local guides. Weather on the Cumbrian coast can be affected by Atlantic depressions, with exposure to strong winds off the Irish Sea; appropriate clothing, footwear and emergency equipment are advised. Respect for private farmland, livestock by-laws and local bylaws enforced by district councils is essential for safe passage.

Conservation and management

Management is a partnership among Cumbria County Council, district councils, landowners, statutory agencies such as Natural England, conservation organisations including the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and community groups. Designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Area (SPA) at the Solway Firth, and Local Nature Reserves shape conservation measures addressing coastal erosion, habitat restoration and visitor impact. Projects funded through national schemes and European legacy funds have supported dune restoration, saltmarsh creation and species monitoring by the Environment Agency and academic partners at institutions like the University of Cumbria. Volunteer-led path maintenance, interpretation panels, and sustainable tourism strategies aim to balance recreation with protection of archaeological and ecological assets.

Category:Long-distance footpaths in England Category:Trails in Cumbria