Whitehaven Coast
There are hidden gems of history and wildlife along this post-industrial coastline
Download the Whitehaven Coast trail map
for sea breezes and outdoors fun
Whitehaven Coast
Overview
There are hidden gems of history and wildlife along this post-industrial coastline
Only 5½ miles from the border of the Lake District National Park, this coastline stretches south from the 18th century harbour of Whitehaven towards the sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head.
The site of England's first under-sea coalmine, Whitehaven had the deepest mines in the world by the 1730s. The last working pit here closed in 1986. The local community have succeeded in securing the funding to open it as a museum to Whitehaven's mining heritage.
For wildlife lovers, the best time to visit is May to July. The thin spoil-tip soils grow a colourful carpet of wild flowers. At the RSPB reserves on St Bees head, puffins, guillemots and razorbills join thousands of seabirds nesting on the tallest sea cliffs between southern Scotland and northern Wales.
We have partnered with the RSPB, Natural England, the Land Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the local councils to join up how we care for our 'Colourful Coast' between Whitehaven and St Bees.
- Telephone
- 01768774649
- NorthandWestLakes@nationaltrust.org.uk
Whitehaven Coast
How to get here
- Address
- Whitehaven Coast, Haig Pit Car Park, Solway Road, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 9BG
- By cycle
- The C2C (NCN 71) long-distance cycleway starts from Whitehaven Harbour. The Hadrian's Cycleway (NCN 72) also passes through. There are signposted off-road cycling routes along the Whitehaven coast stretching south from the harbour.
- Cycle route information
- On foot
- Whitehaven coast is a short detour from the Coast to Coast footpath, which turns inland just where the Whitehaven Coast meets St Bees Head. Signposted walks from Whitehaven Harbour and St Bees Beach.
- By train
- Whitehaven Station 0.6 miles (1km). Walk around the harbour to the Beacon museum and follow coastal path signs. St Bees station 7 miles (11.2km). Walk down Station Road then turn left onto Beach Road and follow to the beach. Train stations at either end mean it is easy to walk along the 7 mile cliff path and catch the train back.
- By road
- Sat nav postcode CA28 9BG. From north: 15 miles from Cockermouth on the A66 then A595. From south: 17 miles from Ravenglass on the A595. Once at Whitehaven follow brown tourist signs for mining museum.
- Parking: Free parking at Haig Pit car park, or pay and display parking at Whitehaven harbour and St Bees beach (not National Trust).
- By bus
- From north: 300/301 from Carlisle, Wigton and Maryport to Whitehaven. From south: 6/X6 from Millom, Ravenglass and Egremont to Whitehaven.
Whitehaven Coast
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Whitehaven Coast
Opening times
Monday 15 August
- Coastline Open all day
Tuesday 16 August
- Coastline Open all day
Wednesday 17 August
- Coastline Open all day
Thursday 18 August
- Coastline Open all day
Friday 19 August
- Coastline Open all day
Saturday 20 August
- Coastline Open all day
Sunday 21 August
- Coastline Open all day
Whitehaven Coast
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01768774649
- NorthandWestLakes@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Whitehaven Coast, Haig Pit Car Park, Solway Road, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 9BG