Cumbria is home to some of the United Kingdom’s most picturesque beaches. Located on the northwest coast of England, Cumbria boasts some of the most stunning coastlines in the country. From sandy bays, nature reserves, dramatic cliffs, and rocky shorelines – there is something for everyone in Cumbria.
The region boasts a variety of options for visitors who are looking for a coastal holiday or day trip. Whether you’re looking for traditional seaside resorts, wild and rugged landscapes, or family-friendly beaches – Cumbria has it all! So why not take a look at some of the best Cumbrian beaches that are just waiting to be explored? Here are our top picks:
Maryport Beach: This beach offers safe swimming and plenty of rock pooling; perfect for kids to explore. There is also a great selection of restaurants/cafes nearby with beautiful views across Morecambe Bay.
Best Cumbria Beaches
Silecroft Beach: This beach is located on the west coast overlooking the Irish Sea and is popular with families due to its miles-long stretch along sand dunes. At Silecroft beach you can enjoy walking through nature reserves and watching birds, kite flying, or even horseback riding!
Grange-over-Sands Beach: A popular destination for walkers with its promenade rowed by Victorian buildings, this beach offers spectacular sunsets over Morecambe Bay together with beautiful gardens and lakeside walks which provide plenty of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy!
Allonby Beach: This majestic stretch along one mile of sandy shoreline provides striking views across Solway Firth towards Scotland on clear days and provides plenty of scope for birdwatching from its distinctive salt marshes!
St Bees Beach
St Bees Beach is an idyllic seaside destination located in the northwest of England. With its wide, sandy beach and stunning coastal views, it’s the perfect spot to while away a sunny day. The beach has gentle waves, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkeling. With plenty of nearby cafes and shops, it’s the perfect spot to just relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Location
St Bees beach is located in west Cumbria, England. It is a sandy beach that stretches for over two miles of coastline, making it perfect for long walks along the shore in any season. With a gentle slope from the parking bay to the water’s edge and sheltered waters, this family-friendly beach is easy to access for people of all ages and abilities.
The town of St Bees sits near the northern point of the beach, offering all amenities you might need for a pleasant day at the beach. This includes cafes, shops, pubs, and car parking. During peak season, there are lifeguards patrolling this stretch of coastline keeping bathers safe from any potential dangers.
In addition to swimming in the sea, visitors can enjoy the rock pools found halfway down the beach when the tides are low and explore an old 12th-century monastery located nearby called St Bees Priory. For those with pets or young children who don’t like sand too much, there’s also an easy access grassy area that runs parallel behind it making this particular coastal destination very well-rounded with something for everyone to enjoy!
Facilities
St Bees Beach is a picturesque location overlooking the Irish Sea with white sand and breathtaking views. St Bees offers plenty of facilities for visitors to make their stay as comfortable as possible. These include amenities such as restrooms, places to eat and drink, and activities for both adults and kids.
The beachside cafe offers refreshments throughout the day, perfect for taking in the scenery while you enjoy a snack or a refreshing ice cream. For those looking to keep active, there are well-maintained coastal footpaths away from the sands which weave along the coastline giving fantastic views of St Bees Head Rocks, Patch Wood and Salton Bay.
For visitors with children in tow, they can enjoy play areas close to the beach that provide entertainment during your visit. The beach even has its own staffed lifeguard station open during peak holiday periods in summer, making it suitable for everyone to swim safely in designated areas.
In addition, there is ample parking available providing easy access for visitors traveling by car or campervan when exploring this magical stretch of coast near Whitehaven in Cumbria.
Activities
St Bees Beach offers a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Located on the west coast of Cumbria, this beach is filled with golden sand and crystal-clear seas, making it a perfect destination for swimming and water sports. Visitors can also try their hand at sailing and kayaking, or take part in more leisurely activities such as beachcombing or rockpool exploring.
Families can also take advantage of the nearby play areas and outdoor sports facilities, while bored kids will love challenging one another on the two mini goalposts on the beach. For an educational experience, visitors can learn about the local wildlife by taking a stroll around St Bees’ nature reserve – home to many species of birds and wildflowers.
Or you might even like to take in breathtaking views while crossing the 2-mile stretch of coastline to Whitehaven by coastal path walking!
Silecroft Beach
Located on the western end of the Cumbrian coast, Silecroft Beach is a stunning beach with golden sand and clear blue waters. It’s a great spot to relax, admire breathtaking views, and go for a swim in the sea.
The beach is also popular for fishing activities with abundant catches of mackerel, bass, and flounder. Silecroft Beach offers a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy, so let’s take a closer look at all it has to offer.
Location
Silecroft Beach is a beach in the south end of Cumbria, England. It is located on the sandy shores of Duddon Estuary. The beach is an area of outstanding natural beauty and provides stunning views along its 8-mile stretch of coastline. With its golden sand and stony cliffs, it’s a great place to take a stroll and take in some spectacular views across the Irish Sea.
The beach has plenty to offer with its award-winning facilities, throughout the high season there are staffed lifeguards on duty with RNLI lifeboat cover when required. There are toilets and showers available as well as several cafes close by selling drinks and snacks. BBQs are also permitted here with designated bankside spots providing plenty of space for them.
Silecroft Beach is a great spot to visit for those looking for some rest and relaxation away from their busy city lives. It’s easy to get to, making it an ideal day trip for locals and tourists alike!
Facilities
Silecroft Beach is a popular holiday destination with a number of facilities available. It is an award-winning beach located in Seascale, Cumbria, England, and offers beautiful views of the Irish Sea. The activities available at Silecroft Beach change throughout the year, depending on the season and council requirements.
In the summertime, visitors to Silecroft can experience windsurfing, surfing, and kitesurfing in designated areas within the beach’s boundaries. There are also sand dunes at Silecroft for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Additionally, there are public toilets and shops located nearby for visitors to take advantage of.
In the winter months, visitors may still explore the beautiful beaches but may not have access to some activities due to hazardous weather conditions. Regardless of the season, dogs are welcome all year round but must remain on leads throughout their visit for safety reasons.
Due to its popularity as a holiday destination, visitors should be mindful that parking lots can become full quickly and there are limited facilities available once capacity has been reached. To avoid disruption from crowds or noise during your visit it may be best to arrange transportation prior to arrival or book accommodation nearby in advance of your stay.
Activities
Silecroft Beach offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. With its stunning views and miles of golden sand, it is the perfect destination for a relaxing day at the beach. For those looking for more adventure, there are many activities to try out in this beautiful area.
Visitors to Silecroft Beach can explore the wonders of nature with coastal walks and wildlife spotting. The area is home to numerous species of birds and other wildlife, including seals, porpoises, dolphins, and occasionally whales. It is also ideal for exploring rockpools and learning about local marine life. There are even several areas where it is possible to take part in fish-spotting initiatives to help support local research into Cumbrian marine life.
The beach itself offers guests the chance to enjoy various watersports such as swimming or surfing, fishing or just digging around in the sand. Equipment hire options are available onsite so visitors do not need to bring their own if they do not have any with them on their holiday. For those who like sailing, there are also boats available from nearby marinas that offer sailing trips around the nearby lakes and coastline throughout the summer months.
For younger guests visiting Silecroft Beach, there are plenty of activities too, such as bodyboarding or kite flying off the beach along with paddling pools that provide a safe haven for younger children on hot days. All these activities make Silecroft Beach an ideal destination for families during the peak holiday season!
Maryport Beach
Maryport Beach is a popular Cumbrian beach located at the mouth of the Maryport River. It is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and stunning views of the Irish Sea and the Lakeland Fells.
Maryport Beach is a hotspot for families, with a range of activities to enjoy, including swimming, beachcombing, and rock pooling. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hideaway to relax and get away from it all, or an action-packed day out for the whole family, Maryport Beach is an ideal destination.
Location
Maryport Beach is a stunning beach and picturesque bay located in Maryport, Cumbria, on the northwest coast of England. The beach consists of a wide stretch of golden sand that stretches between the hamlet of Skinburness to the south and Black Dyke Rocks to the north. Maryport Beach is ideal for various activities such as swimming, walking, and exploring. Visitors will be able to see stunning views of the Cumbrian Fells in the distance, as well as a variety of wildlife such as seals, terns, and redshank. The beach is surrounded by fields and salt marshes which offer numerous opportunities for countryside walking throughout the year. Dogs are welcome at Maryport Beach all year round with seasonal restrictions in place from May through to September (10 am-6 pm). There is also ample car parking available nearby at a reasonable rate.
Facilities
Maryport Beach offers a variety of facilities for visitors to enjoy. Ranging from a beachside café, toilets, and showers on the seafront, car parking, an information kiosk, and nearby accommodation.
A beachside café is available which serves hot and cold snacks, drinks, ice creams, and desserts. There are also tables outside where visitors can sit back and relax whilst looking out to sea.
Toilets are provided in the form of two disabled-accessible toilet facilities. There is also a shower that allows swimmers to rinse off after swimming in the sea.
The beach boasts ample car parking with designated bays for those with disabilities or bulky items (e.g., surfboards). For those wishing to rent a bike during their stay, there are bike racks dotted along the seafront that can be used free of charge.
An information kiosk is located on the seafront providing useful information about local attractions. Furthermore, there’s nearby accommodation within a short walking distance from Maryport Beach for those wishing to spend longer here.
Activities
Maryport Beach is a popular spot in the Lakeland town of Maryport, located on the shores of the Solway Firth in Cumbria. With beautiful views, a wide stretch of sand, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, it’s no wonder so many people flock here during warmer months. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or family fun, there is something for everyone at this popular beach destination.
Activities at Maryport Beach range from swimming and sunbathing to sandcastle building and kite flying. Enjoy strolling along the shore while you take in the stunning scenery of Scotland across the Solway Firth. Visit during low tide to explore all that the beach has to offer – including rock pools full of sea creatures like crabs and shrimp! Boating activities such as canoeing or kayaking also make great family-friendly outings here too.
Plus, if you feel like getting up on dry land, there are plenty of excellent walking trails nearby for exploring.
Allonby Beach
Allonby Beach is a stunning Cumbrian beach located in the small village of Allonby on the west coast of England. Known for its stunning views and wide expanse of golden sand, Allonby Beach is a popular local attraction and a great place to visit.
Here, we will explore what makes Allonby Beach so special and why it should be included on your list of the best Cumbrian beaches.
Location
Allonby Beach is a sandy beach located in Allonby, Cumbria, on the picturesque Solway Coast in northwest England. Allonby is situated about 3 miles south of Maryport and 18 miles north of Workington. The beach features stunning views across the Solway Firth to the South West Scotland hills and is a popular location for surfers and kite surfers alike.
The beach itself stretches around 400 meters from Mallams Point in the north to Marsh Street in the south. Natural harbour walls give protection from some of the more choppy waters while still allowing access to some nice waves.
The surrounding landscape also provides great scenic views making Allonby Beach one of Cumbria’s most beautiful beaches. The beach is also dog friendly so visitors can take their furry friends with them and enjoy a wonderful day by the sea.
The nearby town of Allonby has plenty to offer too, with traditional pub grub available at local establishments or a visit to one of its many independent shops. Just a few steps away lies a beautiful nature reserve where visitors can discover several species of birds including redshanks, dunlins, and little egrets amongst others, as well as many plants native to this part of England.
It’s also possible to hire Pedal Boats from private companies making it easy for visitors to explore further out into the bay or up close to nature along its gorgeous shorelines.
Facilities
Allonby Beach has a number of facilities on-site to ensure visitors enjoy their visit. There are ample car parking spaces, a café offering a wide selection of foods and drinks, public toilets with disabled access where visitors can change, several beach shops where you can pick up souvenirs, and more. Visitors can also take advantage of the multi-use sports court and children’s play area, providing plenty of fun activities for families.
For those looking to explore the local wildlife area, there is an extensive network of nature trails available along the dunes and beyond.
Activities
There is plenty for visitors to Allonby Beach to enjoy. Swimming and other water activities, such as boating or sailing, can be enjoyed in the clear blue waters of the Solway Firth. Meanwhile, on the beach itself, visitors can take part in various beach sports and games including beach volleyball and beach football, build sandcastles with the children or take part in a variety of beachcombing activities in search of fossils, glass, and other interesting items among the shoreline rocks.
For those seeking a more peaceful activity, why not sit and soak up some sunshine while reading your favorite book? Or if you’re feeling energetic, explore some of the rock pools left by receding tides and discover an array of intriguing sea creatures that can be viewed from a safe distance.
When it’s time to call it a day, why not treat yourself to a relaxing evening stroll along the shoreline watching the sunset colors deepen as night turns prepares to fall?
Conclusion
There you have it – the best beaches in Cumbria, as voted by locals and visitors alike! From the beautiful western lake district coast to the cozy sand and rock pools in-land, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re looking to relax on white sandy beaches, explore rugged coastal paths or experience a wealth of water sports – you’ll find it all here in Cumbria.
No matter what kind of holidaymaker you are, there’s an ideal beach experience waiting for you in this unique part of England. So pack up your towels and sunscreen, grab your bucket and spade and plan your next memorable beach adventure today!
