St Bees, Sandwith & Rottington - Tuesday 26 May 2020
Route
St Bees - South Head - Fleswick Bay - St Bees Lighthouse - North Head - Birkhams Quarry - Sandwith - Rottington - St Bees
Parking
Plenty of parking at the seafront at St Bees (Pay & Display) - Grid Reference NX 962 118, nearest postcode is CA27 0EY.
Mileage
7.1 miles
Terrain
Well maintained coastal paths for the most part with some road walking on quiet lanes.
Weather
Warm & sunny with light breezes along the headland.
Time Taken
3hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
334ft (102m)
Map
OS Explorer 303 - Whitehaven & Workington
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
St Bees - South Head - Fleswick Bay - St Bees Lighthouse - North Head - Birkhams Quarry - Sandwith - Rottington - St Bees
Parking
Plenty of parking at the seafront at St Bees (Pay & Display) - Grid Reference NX 962 118, nearest postcode is CA27 0EY.
Mileage
7.1 miles
Terrain
Well maintained coastal paths for the most part with some road walking on quiet lanes.
Weather
Warm & sunny with light breezes along the headland.
Time Taken
3hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
334ft (102m)
Map
OS Explorer 303 - Whitehaven & Workington
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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GPX File
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Route Map
This was our first proper walk since the first lockdown began on 23 March 2020 - a gap of two months. Like the majority of people, we walked from the door during lockdown therefore it was nice to be allowed further afield once more.
Those people who have walked Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk will know all about this famous landmark at St Bees. Where else to commence today's walk than the official start point of this classic 192 mile walk. An account of our 2012 crossing can be found here and our 2016 journal can be found here. From the start point the route heads north along the coast towards Whitehaven.
The classic view back to St Bees from near South Head
The coastline from St Bees to the lighthouse is haven for birdlife and there are several RSPB vantage points along the route. The Coast to Coast route hugs the coast and on a day like today was a pleasure to walk. Fleswick Bay is ahead from where the path heads inland for 200 yards or so before switching back above the bay to continue north.
To say Fudge was glad to be out enjoying a bit of freedom once more was a bit of an understatement
Lots of beautiful patches of Sea Pink (also known as thrift or Armeria Maritima) along the headland
Looking back along the headland at Fleswick Bay
One of the many nesting sites along the headland - the area attracts many breeds including Razor Bills & Guillemots
The St Bees Lighthouse plus a few of the locals. The cliff-top light is the highest in England at 102m (335ft) above sea level. There has been a lighthouse on this site since 1718 and the current structure was built in 1865, becoming fully automated in 1987.
The Foghorn Station just below St Bees Lighthouse.
For many years the Fog Horn Station on St Bees Head provided an audible warning to ships as they approached the headland. With fog closing in and spray obscuring the visibility of the lighthouse this would have been a vital signal to mariners in the days before GPS and digital maps. Now the fog horn at St Bees is silent, having been decommissioned, but the building remains, quietly standing guard over the head. Inside, the speakers and machinery remain in place creating a nostalgic and somewhat eerie atmosphere.
For many years the Fog Horn Station on St Bees Head provided an audible warning to ships as they approached the headland. With fog closing in and spray obscuring the visibility of the lighthouse this would have been a vital signal to mariners in the days before GPS and digital maps. Now the fog horn at St Bees is silent, having been decommissioned, but the building remains, quietly standing guard over the head. Inside, the speakers and machinery remain in place creating a nostalgic and somewhat eerie atmosphere.
Continuing north looking to the coastal port of Whitehaven
Just before turning inland the route passes Birkhams Quarry which produces hard rock Sandstone
We would now be heading inland along a quiet lane into Sandwith (pronounced "Sannith")
High & Dry near Birkhams Quarry Cottages - he certainly was!
The quiet lane that leads to Sandwith
The village green at Sandwith complete with toadstools - an ideal spot to have a breather on Day 1 of the Coast to Coast
The village War Memorial at Sandwith
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During lockdown the village of Sandwith decided to spread some community cheer and in turn thank the NHS & front line workers during the pandemic. Houses created their own stuffed scarecrows and it was quite amusing walking through the village seeing people's various creations - it certainly brought a smile to our faces.
Just before we left Sandwith this little chap came out to say hello.
Leaving Sandwith and entering Rottington
And here we are - not much traffic on the roads today though
The final part of the walk was over lush green fields which led us back to the coast at St Bees