St Bees - A Cumbrian Coast Village

St Bees is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Cumbrian Coast, thanks to its long sandy beach and the towering cliffs of St Bees Head; the only Heritage Coast between Scotland and Wales. The beach has a promenade and visitor facilities, and is the start of the Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk to Robin Hood’s Bay. The RSPB bird reserve on the Head is the only cliff-nesting seabird colony in North West England. 

The village’s  history goes back over 1,000 years. It has a Norman Priory dating from 1120 dedicated to our own Saint Bega, said to have landed from Ireland about AD 850, and an independent school founded in 1583. The charming Main Street curves up from the railway station, and has three pubs, a shop and a railway museum.

St Bees is only a few miles from the English Lake District National Park, making it an ideal base to explore the Western Lakes and the Cumbrian Coast.

Visitor information

How to get here? –  What to do? – where to stay?

Beaches & Heritage Coast

There is a large sandy beach, with car park, cafe and play park at the north end.

Walking

Wainwright Coast to Coast, the England Coast Path, and other walks

Sport & Leisure

Indoor, outdoor, dry or wet, opportunities are many

History

The village has a history dating back over 1,000 years

Facilities

Village facilities; visitors, community, social and sporting.

Village Events

Throughout the year various special events are held.  Regular ones are listed

Parish Council

Full details of all Parish Council activities are available here.    

Promenade and St Bees Head
Fleswick Bay
Part of the St Bees Heritage Coast
Lifeboat Rescue Practice
Village centre
15 mins walk from beach
Village in Bloom
Cross Hill display
St Bees Priory
Founded 1120, open to the public
Village History Displays
Located in the Priory, open to the public.
St Bees School
Founded 1583
Isle of Man from St Bees
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The original St Bees village web site was created over two decades ago and grew over the years until it contained well over 500 pages. During 2020 the site was re-written to allow better access from smartphones and tablet computers. The site is subject to continual revision and comments are welcome. please email  sbwebmaster@stbees.org.uk .

The domain name stbees.org.uk is owned by St Bees Parish Council, and the web site is written and maintained by volunteers.

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