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Whitehaven Coast
There are hidden gems of history and wildlife along this post-industrial coastline
Whitehaven Coast, Haig Pit Car Park, Solway Road, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 9BG
Opening times for 26 February 2025
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Car parking available at Haig Pit (not National Trust)
Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome to our outdoor properties but please keep them under close control to protect stock and wildlife. Take a look at our Canine Code and enjoy a great day out with your pup!
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).
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 bus
From north: 300/301 from Carlisle, Wigton and Maryport to Whitehaven. From south: 6/X6 from Millom, Ravenglass and Egremont to Whitehaven.
Cycling
The Sea to Sea (C2C) long-distance cycleway starts from Whitehaven Harbour. The Hadrian's Cycleway (Route 72) also passes through. There are signposted off-road cycling routes along the Whitehaven coast stretching south from the harbour.
Whitehaven Coast, Haig Pit Car Park, Solway Road, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 9BG
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting the Whitehaven Coast with your dog
The Whitehaven Coast is a one pawprint rated place. Find out all you need to know about bringing your furry side-kick on an adventure on the coast.
Upcoming events on the Whitehaven Coast
Find out what events we have coming up on the Whitehaven Coast
Highlights
Historic Coastline
Industrial coastline stretching south from the 18th-century harbour of Whitehaven, towards the sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head.
Meadow restoration
Wildflower meadow restoration of these seaside cliffs bringing much needed food and shelter to our pollinators as well as a splash of colour to the views.
Things to see and do
Article
Exploring the Whitehaven Coast
There’s lots to discover on the Whitehaven Coast, from carpets of colourful wildflowers to thousands of nesting seabirds. Find out more.
Top trails
Trail
Whitehaven colourful coastal walk
Experience wild, secluded beaches on this dramatic cliff-top walk at Whitehaven's historic 17th-century harbour, passing the town’s industrial archaeology to join Wainwright’s Coast to Coast path.
Places to stay
Watergate Farm
Period features throughout in this spacious farmhouse on the shores of Loweswater.
Holme Wood Bothy
A ‘stone tent’ warmed by a log-burner, set just metres from the shores of Loweswater.
Upcoming events
Event
Play Trail
Bring the whole family and join in a free and easy day of fun with balance bikes, volleyball, badminton, sack races and more. Why not bring a picnic and enjoy the views or take a walk through the wildflower meadows.
Event
Industrial heritage of the Whitehaven Coast guided walk
Brought to you by the National Trust for Heritage Open Day. Take in the views and learn about the particular history of the area on a guided walk along the Whitehaven Coast trail.
About Whitehaven Coast
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.
History
Article
The history of Whitehaven Coast
The Whitehaven Coast offers more than just sea views and a colourful coast: discover an under-sea coalmine, fog horn station and eighteenth-century harbour.
Our work
Article
Meadow and heathland restoration on the Whitehaven Coast
The wildflower meadows and heathlands at Whitehaven Coast bring much needed wildlife habitat and gifts of sweet nectar and pollen to our pollinators. The transformation from industrial landscape to a safe haven for wildlife as well as a flower dappled seaside walk has been gradual but well worth the effort.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Whitehaven Coast.