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The St Bees Knees, St Bees

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The St Bees Knees is a spacious holiday home in St Bees, Cumbria, perfect for larger groups wanting to explore the Lake District coast. This property sleeps up to 8 guests and offers plenty of space for everyone to gather with multiple living areas and a large dining room.

St Bees sits on the Cumbrian coast between the Lake District fells and the Irish Sea. The village has a beautiful beach and marks the start of Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast walk.

The accommodation includes multiple rooms across three floors. There are two king-size rooms, two double rooms and two twin rooms. The property has multiple bathrooms plus a ground floor WC.

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About The St Bees Knees

The St Bees Knees is a spacious holiday home in St Bees, Cumbria, perfect for larger groups wanting to explore the Lake District coast. This property sleeps up to 8 guests and offers plenty of space for everyone to gather with multiple living areas and a large dining room.

St Bees sits on the Cumbrian coast between the Lake District fells and the Irish Sea. The village has a beautiful beach and marks the start of Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast walk.

The accommodation includes multiple rooms across three floors. There are two king-size rooms, two double rooms and two twin rooms. The property has multiple bathrooms plus a ground floor WC. Downstairs you'll find two separate living rooms and a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area that seats 12. There's also a games room with table tennis to keep everyone entertained.

Whitehaven Harbour is 4 miles away (10 minutes). Muncaster Castle sits 18 miles south (30 minutes). Wastwater, England's deepest lake, is 12 miles away (25 minutes). Egremont Castle ruins are 6 miles inland (15 minutes).

The St Bees Knees works brilliantly for multi-family holidays or group celebrations. Book this coastal base for beach days and fell walking combined.

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Local Insights: The St Bees Knees

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

St Bees, Cumbria

Weather & Local Conditions

17°C

Overcast

Updated: 13 Oct 2026, 3:11am

🌡️
16.50°C
Temperature
💨
44 km/h
Wind Speed
💧
90%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever October throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • ✓ May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • ✓ October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • ✓ December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • ✓ March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

The St Bees Knees sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
🌌
Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • ✓ New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • ✓ Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • ✓ After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • ✓ Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
📱
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

13m

(43 feet above sea level)

The St Bees Knees sits in a peaceful Cumbria setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

🏔️
13m
Elevation
📍
St Bees
Nearest Village
🌲
Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • ✓ Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • ✓ Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • ✓ Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • ✓ Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
🚗
Driving Note: The roads to St Bees are typical Cumbria lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 54.4909070° N | Longitude: 3.60372° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for St Bees (Tuesday, 13 October 2026):

6:37am

Sunrise

4:23pm

Golden Hour

5:23pm

Sunset

🌅
6:37am
Sunrise
🌇
5:23pm
Sunset
📸
4:23pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • ✓ Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • ✓ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • ✓ Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • ✓ Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
🌙
Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (4:23pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

October Daylight

This month in St Bees, you have approximately 10.77 hours of daylight. The shortening days create the perfect excuse for earlier, cosier evenings in.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at The St Bees Knees.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

💡
Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

🚗
Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Cumbria. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 13 Oct 2026 | Location: 54.4909070, -3.6037200

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at The St Bees Knees

Sleeps 12 Guests Comfortably

Six bedrooms and multiple bathrooms mean large groups have plenty of space without feeling cramped throughout the property.

Games Room Entertainment

The dedicated games room with table tennis provides hours of fun for all ages when you're not out exploring.

Two Separate Living Rooms

Having two lounges gives groups the flexibility to split up or all gather together for film nights and socialising.

Beach on Your Doorstep

St Bees beach is just a short walk away offering sandy shores and rock pools perfect for family days out.

Coast to Coast Starting Point

The famous 192-mile walking route begins right in the village making this ideal for walking groups and outdoor enthusiasts.

Large Dining Table for 12

Everyone can sit down together for meals at the spacious dining table creating proper family gathering moments throughout your stay.

Getting To The St Bees Knees

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach The St Bees Knees by car, take the A595 coastal route through West Cumbria. From the M6, exit at Junction 40 and follow signs towards Whitehaven and St Bees. The property has off-road parking for multiple vehicles.

By Train

St Bees railway station is in the village on the Cumbrian Coast Line connecting Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness. The station is within walking distance of the property making this an excellent choice for groups travelling by rail.

Off-road parking for multiple cars
St Bees station (0.5 miles)
Accessible from the A595 coastal route

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

St Bees Beach
Distance: 0.3 miles
CA27 0DQ
Whitehaven Harbour
Distance: 4 miles
CA28 7LR
Muncaster Castle
Distance: 18 miles
CA18 1RQ
Coast to Coast Walk Start
Distance: 0.2 miles
CA27 0ES
St Bees Head RSPB Reserve
Distance: 1.5 miles
CA27 0DP
Wastwater Lake
Distance: 12 miles
CA20 1EX
Tesco Whitehaven
Distance: 4.2 miles
CA28 7RG
Sainsbury's Whitehaven
Distance: 4.5 miles
CA28 9BX
St Bees Village Shop
Distance: 0.4 miles
CA27 0DE
Egremont Castle
Distance: 6 miles
CA22 2BD
Sellafield Visitor Centre
Distance: 3 miles
CA20 1PG
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Distance: 16 miles
CA18 1SW
St Bees Beach
Distance: 0.3 miles
CA27 0DQ
Whitehaven Harbour
Distance: 4 miles
CA28 7LR
Muncaster Castle
Distance: 18 miles
CA18 1RQ
Coast to Coast Walk Start
Distance: 0.2 miles
CA27 0ES
St Bees Head RSPB Reserve
Distance: 1.5 miles
CA27 0DP
Wastwater Lake
Distance: 12 miles
CA20 1EX
Tesco Whitehaven
Distance: 4.2 miles
CA28 7RG
Sainsbury's Whitehaven
Distance: 4.5 miles
CA28 9BX
St Bees Village Shop
Distance: 0.4 miles
CA27 0DE
Egremont Castle
Distance: 6 miles
CA22 2BD
Sellafield Visitor Centre
Distance: 3 miles
CA20 1PG
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Distance: 16 miles
CA18 1SW

Is The St Bees Knees Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
The games room with table tennis keeps children entertained during downtime. St Bees beach is a short walk away offering rock pooling, sandcastle building and coastal exploration. The property's six bedrooms give families space to spread out. Nearby attractions include Muncaster Castle with its owl centre and Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. The large garden provides outdoor play space.
Groups Will Love...
The dedicated games room with table tennis table gives groups their own entertainment space separate from the living areas. This room becomes the social hub for friendly tournaments and evening fun. Combined with two living rooms and a dining table for 12, the property offers multiple spaces where your group can gather or split into smaller groups throughout the day.
Pet Friendly
The St Bees Knees welcomes dogs so your pets can join the holiday. St Bees beach allows dogs year-round making it perfect for coastal walks and beach runs. The Coast to Coast walk starts in the village offering endless walking routes. The property has outdoor space where dogs can stretch their legs. Check with the owner about the number of pets allowed.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at The St Bees Knees

The Manor House Hotel

Located 0.3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CA27 0DE

The Queens Hotel St Bees

Located 0.4 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CA27 0DE

The Oddfellows Arms Frizington

Located 3.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CA26 3PE

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about The St Bees Knees

How many people does The St Bees Knees sleep?
The property sleeps 12 guests across six bedrooms including two king-size rooms, two doubles and two twins. There are three bathrooms plus a ground floor WC to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Is The St Bees Knees pet friendly?
Yes, this property welcomes dogs so you can bring your four-legged family members along. Please check with the owner regarding the number of pets allowed and any additional charges.
What parking is available at the property?
There is off-road parking available at The St Bees Knees for multiple vehicles. This makes it convenient for groups arriving in separate cars.
How far is St Bees beach from the cottage?
St Bees beach is within easy walking distance of the property. The sandy beach and rock pools make it perfect for coastal walks and family beach days.
What facilities are there for groups?
The property has two separate living rooms, a games room with table tennis and a dining table seating 12. These spaces give groups plenty of room to spend time together or split off into smaller groups.
Is there a hot tub at The St Bees Knees?
No, this property does not have a hot tub. However, it offers plenty of other facilities including the games room and multiple living spaces for group entertainment.
What can we do in the local area?
St Bees is the starting point for the Coast to Coast walk and sits near Whitehaven, Wastwater and Muncaster Castle. The area offers excellent walking, beaches and Lake District attractions all within easy driving distance.
Is the property suitable for elderly guests?
The accommodation is spread across three floors with bedrooms on different levels. Groups should consider mobility requirements when booking as there are stairs throughout the property.

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