Beach Holidays in the Lake District

Things to do in Cumbria

• Coast
  • Whitehaven Harbour

    The Lake District Coast is brimming with natural beauty and rural charm. It’s a special place where secluded beaches and unspoilt countryside go hand in hand with a rich Roman and maritime heritage.

  • Coast 2 Coast

    The ultimate adventure involves walking (or cycling the C2C) across northern England. Get off to the perfect start in the Western Lake District.

  • Cumbrian Heavy Horses

    Have an unforgettable coastal adventure on one of these magnificent horses.

  • Solway Firth

    A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the spectacular sunsets over the Irish Sea are not to be missed.

• Places To See
  • Millom & Blackcombe

    Surrounded by acres of salt marshes along the Duddon Estuary, there are miles of beautiful golden sands on the seaward side of Millom. With the heather-clad bulk of Black Combe Fell on its doorstep, the former fishing village of Millom has a varied history with a rich industrial heritage. Just waiting to be discovered.

  • Whitehaven

    The maritime port of Whitehaven in the Western Lake District was once the third largest in the UK with trade links all over the world. The wealth of Georgian architecture led to Whitehaven being listed as a ‘gem town' and voted one of the top 10 seaside resorts in the UK.

  • Maryport & Allonby

    Maryport has always had a close affinity with the sea, from its earliest fishing days to the busy docks and sea-faring ships of the Georgian and Victorian eras. Even the Romans utilised the presence of the sea and its shoreline as added defence in the building of Hadrian's Wall, their great frontier sweeping along the Solway Firth and down the west coast as far as Ravenglass.

  • Ravenglass

    At the coastal end lies Ravenglass where three rivers meet (Esk, Irt, and Mite) to form an estuary and natural harbour. Once an important Roman port and fishing town where ships once docked at the end of its main street!

• Things To Do
  • Rum Story

    Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean; that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story. There are stories of Blackbeard and piracy on the high seas, smugglers and Nelson's navy. See the infamous punch houses, gangsters' illicit stills and hear the tales of Whitehaven's maritime past and the renowned Jefferson family.

  • Muncaster Castle

    A historic haunted castle, in 70 acres of stunning Gardens set against the back drop of the Lake District fells, and home to the World Owl Centre with over 200 of these amazing birds.

  • Ravengalss & Eskdale Railway

    Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway! Journey from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park, across the estuary, through the hills, en route to our final destination, Dalegarth-for-Boot Station. The journey itself was one of Wainwright's favourites, crossing seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of England's highest mountains, the Scafell Range.

  • Lake District Coast Aquarium

    At the Lake District Coast Aquarium, you can discover the amazing underwater world of Cumbria's seas and coasts. Set in the heart of the Maryport Harbour, the purpose built Aquaria contains over 35 creative displays, specialising in native British aquatic life.

• Food & Drink
  • Thornby Moor Dairy

    Located at the heart of the Solway Plain, looking out over the Northern Fells of the Lake District, Thornby Moor Dairy is a family run business producing cow's milk cheeses noted for their buttery texture. Over the years more cheeses have been developed using both Cow's and Goat's milk and, from time to time, Ewe's milk.

  • Jennings

    Jennings Brewery was originally established as a true family concern back in 1828, in the village of Lorton. The company moved to its current location in 1874, in the historic town of Cockermouth, in the shadow of Cockermouth Castle, at the point where the rivers Cocker and Derwent merge. Jennings regards itself as a traditional brewer, traditional in a number of different ways. Pure Lakeland water is still used for brewing, drawn from the brewery's own well, and only the finest natural ingredients are added.

  • Cumberland Sausage

    Cumberland sausages have a strong regional association with Cumbria and have been a local speciality for around 500 years. The fat coiled ropes of sausage meat are a distinctive sight in many local butchers' windows, with each producer closely guarding their 'secret' recipe. Historically, the sausage was more highly seasoned than it is today. This is largely attributed to the influx of exotic spices into Whitehaven during the 18th century when the town prospered as the third largest port in the country importing goods from the Americas.

  • Herdwick

    The Herdwick is a breed of domestic sheep native to the Lake District, which is believed to have been introduced by the Vikings. Herdwick meat is renowned for its distinctive taste and eating quality – a natural result of the lambs maturing slowly on the heather and grasses of the Lake District fells. The meat is succulent, tender and tasty with a more gamey flavour than conventional lamb.

• Where to Stay
  • Moresby Hall

    Moresby Hall is one of Cumbria's most historic homes. A Grade I Listed building circa 1620, offering stunning country guest house accommodation with many of the original features. This home has been described as 'One of the most important buildings in Cumbria' by English Heritage and 'totally unique and welcoming'.

  • Overwater Hall

    Relax and enjoy your stay in this elegant 18th century country house, tucked away in the unspoilt beauty of the Lake District. Overwater Hall has an enviable reputation for genuine hospitality, quality accommodation and award-winning food.

  • Hunday Manor

    An attractive and imposing building dating from the 18th century, Hunday Manor Country House Hotel has been continually renovated and re-furbished to a very high standard over recent years. This tasteful and beautiful hotel invites your imagination to take flight in their extensive romantic gardens with magnificent views over the Solway Firth to Scotland.

  • Pennington Hotel

    The beautifully restored Pennington Hotel in the Heart of Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park. The hotel combines contemporary design and traditional values in a historic setting, just a stone’s throw from the sea and Muncaster Castle.