Summer 2024
& Cumbrian Coast

Welcome to Lake District summer 2024! High season is upon us, although the weather is still very mixed. Summer can be a wonderful time of year in the Lake District, especially when the sun does shine, highlighting the beautiful scenery and encouraging you to take a paddle in one of the many lakes, tarns or rivers. The downside at this time of year is the sheer number of people in the central Lakes. However, there are many fantastic places to visit around the edges of the National Park, or just beyond but still in the county of Cumbria. Many of these are explored in my Lake District Drives.

In warm summer weather many people like to head to the coast and you might be surprised to hear there is around 200 miles of Cumbrian coast, only a short hop from the Lake District National Park. You might also be surprised to hear there is some Cumbrian coast actually inside the Lake District National Park, showing that there’s even more to it than mountains, valleys and lakes! There are some fabulous Cumbrian beaches, many quiet and unspoilt with wonderful views across the sea towards the Isle of Man or Scotland.  Ideal for a picnic and paddle. There are several Lake District Drives that visit the Cumbrian coast, the following section describes them in more detail;

 
Ravenglass-Wasdale-Eskdale drive

This drive visits the only section of coastline inside the Lake District National Park, around the pretty village of Ravenglass which lies on the estuary of three rivers, the Esk, the Mite and the Irt. It was a significant Roman settlement but is now best known for the wonderful miniature Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. The drive travels northwards from there, leaving the National Park temporarily, visiting the fabulous wide-open beach at Drigg and then the small coastal town of Seascale. On a good day you also get good views of the Isle of Man which isn’t too far away across the Irish sea. The drive then heads inland to the majestic valleys of Wasdale and Eskdale, two of the finest valleys in the Lake District.

 
Cockermouth-Whitehaven-Maryport drive

This drive visits the old industrial west Cumbrian coast around Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport. There is an old Roman fort at Maryport but more recently, a few hundred years ago, this area was at the centre of coal mining, iron and steel production in the country. This created plenty of interesting local history and some big scars on the landscape but nowadays those industries have long gone and much of the coast has been attractively relandscaped to provide some very pleasant coastal access areas, albeit with a hint of bygone industry. All of this coast has good views across the Solway Firth towards Dumfries and Galloway in southern Scotland. This drive also explores some wonderful inland areas around three of the most picturesque and unspoilt lakes in the National Park, at Crummock Water, Loweswater and Ennerdale.

 
Ulverston-Barrow-Furness Peninsula drive

A lovely drive around the scenic Furness peninsula in south west Cumbria which includes a number of different coastal access areas. The coastal road from Ulverston to Roa Island is a real treat with some lovely views across Morecambe Bay and a number of different beaches. Due to the massive tidal range in Morecambe Bay you might not actually see the sea if the tide is out but the shore is a good place to explore and relax. Roa Island is no longer an island and provides good surrounding views, plus a small ferry to nearby historic Piel Island. Walney island, off the old industrial town of Barrow-in-Furness, is still an island and one of the most populated in the country. Yet it still has plenty of more peaceful and attractive coastal areas, including Biggar Bank which is visited by the drive. This is a more weather-beaten coast facing the Irish Sea but still great for exploring with good views across the water towards the Isle of Man and the many offshore wind turbines around here. The drive also visits the beautiful Sandscale Haws nature reserve with its excellent beaches, sand dunes, wildlife and picturesque views across the Duddon Estuary towards Lake District mountains beyond.

 
Kendal-Grange-Windermere drive

A drive around southern Cumbria explores areas around Kendal and Windermere, as well as the attractive Cartmel peninsula. Coastal access areas are a little limited on this peninsula but it’s worth visiting the delightful Victorian resort of Grange-over-Sands. The mile-long traffic free promenade follows the railway line and provides a very pleasant stroll with lovely views across Morecambe Bay towards Arnside Knott and the hills of northern Lancashire. On the other side of the railway is the main town and the ornamental gardens which are also well worth exploring.

 
Kendal-Sedbergh-Arnside drive

This drive explores the south east corner of Cumbria, including some picturesque parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park which, due to historic county boundary changes, are now in Cumbria! The drive then visits the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape, a beautiful area, known for its wonderful flora, fauna, woodland, limestone and coastal scenery. This includes another attractive Victorian resort at Arnside where you can walk along the promenade and take a seat on the old pier, enjoying some fabulous views across the River Kent estuary and over the impressive railway viaduct towards distant Lake District hills.

 

A coastal drive is wonderful at any time of year but there’s always something special about the British seaside in summer. Now all we need is some summer weather!

Enjoy!