Egremont (& St Bees)
The route in and out of Egremont has been a bit of a saga. First the Wood End link involved four separate land agreements, and a new bridge over the main road, and still the final link into town has to be pushed through unsupportive developers. Egremont itself is an interesting market town. The Vikings built a fort here and its Norman name it thought to derive from their town of Aigremont. Robert the Bruce sacked Egremont in 1322, resulting in a huge death toll. Lowes Court Gallery, on the main street, is the Tourist Information Centre and has a constantly changing exhibition programme. Stock up here on food and supplies for the last swing down to Ravenglass.
Places of interest
Lifted above the town 'like the Ark in the wilderness' the Norman Castle has fine herringbone stonework and views across the town, to Dent Fell and across to Florence Mine, which was the last deep iron ore mine in Europe. Clintz Quarry Nature Reserve has such a remarkable and unusual diversity of habitats, ranging from bare rock to limestone woodland, that it became a Site of Special Scientific Interest 40 years ago. This status was awarded because of its plant life although the geology at the quarry would almost certainly qualify in its own right. 
Accommodation
| Stone House Farm, Main St, St Bees, CA27 0DE | |
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Secure bike storage On route for C2C and Hadrian's Cycleway Friendly family run bed and breakfast in a large modernised Georgian farmhouse in the centre of the village, near the railway station and local shops, restaurants and hotels. Only three minutes' ride from the start of the C2C (not to mention Wainwright's coast to coast walk). Full English breakfast and free parking. There is, however, a charge for long stay car parking of £2.50 per night. |
Run by: Carole Smith 
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01946 822224 |
Rooms : 1S, 2T, 1F 2D, 1Tpl. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Horse & Groom, Market Place, Court, Egremont CA22 2AE | |
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Right in the town centre, in the centre of the Western Lakes, the Horse & Groom offers budget en-suite accommodation for families, walkers and cyclists. It is self-catering and there are plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants nearby. There is a secure lock-up for bikes and cleaning facilities. Self-catering or surrounding pubs and restaurants. Sleeping bags for hire £2. |
Run by: Rob Merrett 
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01946 758198 |
Rooms : 1 six bed dorm, 1Q, 3T. All en-suite wet rooms. £10. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Albert Hotel, 1 Finkle St, St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0BN | |
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Clean and well run hotel at the bottom of Main St. A popular pub as well, with a pleasant beer garden. Carole obviously loves her job and the atmosphere is as warm as a steak pie. Secure storage and whopping breakfasts. Astonishing value and very tidy rooms, all with Georgian sash windows. 01946 822345 |
Run by: Carole 
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Rooms : 2D, 3T, 2S. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Queens Hotel, Main St, St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DE | |
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17th century hotel with a cosy country pub atmosphere: oak beams and log fires in the winter. There are two real ale bars and a decent wine list. The restaurant has been comfortably and tastefully refurbished and all meals are cooked on the premises using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Large conservatory and terraced garden. Secure cycle storage. |
Run by: Mark Smedley 
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01946 822287 |
Rooms : 4S, 3T, 4D, 1F. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Fairladies Barn Guest House, Main St, St Bees, Cumbria CA27 0AD | |
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Beautiful 17th century sandstone barn that looks as if it has been transported from one of those picture postcard villages in the Dordogne. Luxury accommodation at affordable prices. |
Run by: Will & Nicola Corrie 
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01946 822718 |
Rooms : 4D, 3T, 2F (1D & 1T with shared bathroom). |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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Route information
Now on to Thornhill, beside the trunk road, for a short section of railway path which slots through a gap in the houses and beside a garage yard, for minor roads to Beckermet - at the meeting of Black Beck and Kirk Beck.
