West of the Lake District proper, in the Borough of Copeland, you’ll find the thriving market town of Egremont. At the base of Dent Fall sits a thriving town whose character hasn’t changed much since the early 1300s. At the southern end of the main street, above the river Ehen, are the ruins of the Norman castle. There are a variety of places to worship, buy, eat, and enjoy the arts. Ennerdale Water, located near Cleater, is the most westerly and, arguably, tranquil lake in the National Park. St. Bees is a picturesque fishing community that serves as the starting point for Wainwright’s “Coast to Coast” Walk. It is home to a Norman priory, an Elizabethan public school, a nine-hole golf course, and numerous local watering holes. St. Bees Head, named for the nearby town of the same name, is Cumbria’s only stretch of Heritage coastline and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Walking opportunities abound, both along the clifftops and on the beach below. Further up this stunning coast lies Whitehaven, a sophisticated Georgian port that sits between the shimmering sea and the Lakeland Fells. Explore its beautiful green spaces and visit the Beacon Heritage Centre to learn about the region’s rich past. Just over 15 miles away lies Wasdale Head, the starting point for the ascent of Scafel Pike, England’s highest peak, and 12 miles away is both Muncaster Castle and the Eskdale and Ravenglass miniature railway. An excellent base from which to explore the western Lake District shoreline.
