Getting to the start, Monday 20 May 2024
After several months of planning and preparation, bags packed, and maps prepared, we were raring to go for our Coast to Coast hike. We’d booked a package through Packhorse who I found excellent. They really listened to what we wanted and had come up with a well-thought-out package of decent hotels and guest houses for us, along with some recommendations for where to eat. They also provided some background reading and maps for us. I’d highly recommend them if you want to book a hassle-free trip.
We arrived in St Bees at the end of a long train journey down from Scotland. We were due to meet our friends Tim & Kimberley who live in California. I’d been at college with them many, many (too many) years ago so was really looking forward to spending some quality time with them. What a surprise when we saw them getting on the train just a couple of stops before St Bees; they’d arrived early and had taken the train up to meet us (or pick up some shopping…?)
The sun was shining and, after checking in to our B&B at Stone House Farm, we took a gentle stroll down to the beach to dip our boots in the sea and choose a small pebble to take with us on our Coast to Coast walk. The only trouble was, the tide was out and it was a long way down the beach to get to the water.
Distracted by the lure of ice cream, Nick decided that a salty puddle would do and headed off towards the beachside café. Meanwhile, I made the effort, took off my pristine white trainers and wandered down with the cold sand squidging between my toes to dip my feet in the Irish Sea. A little bit of beach art followed with a C2C heart and then I joined Nick back at the café.
If you have time, it is definitely worth popping down to the beach on the day you arrive in St Bees. There’s a few other things to see such as the priory and other historical places of interest.
Accommodation: Stone House Farm
Dinner: The Manor
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