Through popular request we decided last year to introduce a third possible start to the route: St Bees, the seaside neighbour of the newly vibrant Egremont.

St Bees is the tried and trusted start to the Coast to Coast walk, famously founded by Alfred Wainwright in 1973. It is also a lovely coastal setting and a splendid but smaller alternative to the bustling charms of Whitehaven and Workington.

The Egremont area has been mining iron ore and quarrying for more than 800 years and it is home to Florence Mine, the last deep Iron Ore mine in Western Europe.

There is plenty of eager and competitive accommodation in Egremont, plus numerous hostelries and eateries in the area. Indeed, huge efforts are being put into the regeneration of this former weaving and dyeing town. Egremont's hidden gems include the Norman Castle with its literary connection to Wordsworth's Ballad of the Horn of Egremont; Hartley's ice cream factory and shop; Lowes Court Gallery and Tourist Information Centre (01946 820693) with exhibitions of Cumbrian artists and local crafts.

As a 'Fairtrade Town' Egremont has a number of shops selling locally produced and sourced foods and holds a Farmers Market on the third Friday of every month in the Market Hall.The main street has a variety of facilities, shops, pubs and takeaways catering for visitor needs.

During the annual Crab Fair, which in September 2007 celebrates its 840th anniversary, the greasy pole climbing and gurning (face pulling) events draw large crowds of locals and visitors. Indeed, the town is synonymous with that time honoured English tradition of gurning.

This year will see further improvements to the town and its facilities, such as circular cycling routes, riverside walks and new planting to the town's entrances as part of the Egremont Market Town Initiative work. Visit the Tourist Information Centre at Lowes Court Gallery for details of things to do in and around the town.

The local regeneration partnership is keen to improve the visitor offer further and welcomes your comments, suggestions and information by email to simon.walker@visitegremont.co.uk, through the web site (www.Visitegremont.co.uk) or by post to Egremont and Area Regeneration Partnership, Charles Edmonds Library, Wyndam Street, Egremont, CA22 2DH.

1. St Bees & Egremont		Back to
Malcolm Thomas-Chapman		Shepherds Arms Hotel, Ennerdale Bridge, Ennerdale, Cumbria, CA23 3AR
Tel		01946 861249
Web		www.shepherdsarmshotel.co.uk
Email		shepherdsarms@btconnect.com
Rooms		3D, 3T, 2D/T
B&B		£38.50-£48.50
Evening Meal		Under £10 for a main course
Packed Lunch		£3.95-£5.50
Rooms		3D, 3T, 2D/T

A small gem of a country hotel with public bar serving real ales and pub meals. Situated on the famous Coast to Coast walk and on the new start to the C2C out of St Bees, the area fast becoming popular with cyclists using the new start. A busy local pub with comfortable rooms.

Margaret Fee		The Manor House Hotel & Coast to Coast Bar, 11/12 Main St, CA27 0DE
Tel		01946 822425
Web		www.themanorhousestbees.com
Email		manorhousemaz@aol.com
Rooms		1S, 4T, 3D, 1Q.
B&B		£29-£35
EM		£4.95-£14.95
PL		£5-£7

Traditional ales (it's in the Good Beer Guide), the Manor House is comfortable and clean and has a great atmosphere (the mixture of locals and tourists works well in the bar). The dining room turns into a cafe during the day, but serves lunches and dinners, too. This 18th century coaching inn welcomes cyclists and walkers and has a secure lock-up.

Rob Merrett		Egremont Cycle Barn, Horse & Groom Court, Egremont CA22 2AE
Tel		01946 824052
Web		www.horseandgroomcourt.co.uk
Email		info@horseandgroomcourt.co.uk
Rooms		1 six bed dorm, 1Q, 3T. All en-suite wet rooms
B&B		£8
Evening Meal		Self-catering or surrounding pubs/restaurants

Right in the town centre, the Cycle Barn aims to be open in early 2008 and is taking bookings now. 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.

Wayne & Jeannette Powell		Bookwell Garth Guest House, 16 Bookwell, Egremont, CA22 2LS
Tel		01946 820271
Email		jeannette.powell@tesco.net
Rooms		5S, 6T, 1F.
B&B		£21-£26
Pub nearby		On new leg of route

Friendly Guest House with good accommodation, TV in all rooms. Drying facilities, good location. Large upstairs lounge with fridge, microwave and tea and coffee. Early breakfast. Large car park.

Those arriving by train should leave the station to the Priory Church side and make their way along the 'Coach Road' past the petrol station and garage to the beach. St Bees Head is the most westerly point in England north of Devon and from the promenade on a clear day you can look out to the Isle of Man, twenty miles or so off the coast.

The first stage of the route takes you to Egremont, four miles away. Leave the beach car park and take the first right along the straight road to the Station. Cross the level crossing and continue up the Main Street past the Platform 9 restaurant and the Queens Hotel on your right, the Manor House Hotel on your left and the post office.

At the next junction you have the choice to take the challenging route left up Outrigg (20%) and over Baybarrow, with rewarding views over to Ennerdale, Wasdale and down the coast to Eskdale and further, or to continue up the Main Street to take the second right - signposted for the Hadrians Way C72 route - and follow the coast ('Nethertown Road') and charming single track lanes to Coulderton, where one heads inland for Egremont and the lakes.

At the T-junction in Coulderton head right to Middletown, taking first left just before the telephone box. Follow the lane for a short while, but instead of heading right, go straight on past Black Ling and Pickett How, up the narrow minor road. Make sure to enjoy views across to Dent Fell - the western edge of the Lake District as you head towards Egremont.Arriving in Egremont, take time to visit the Castle, then follow the national cycle route 72 which is clearly signed through the town and out to the north.

About a mile north of Egremont is Clintz Quarry Nature Reserve, a limestone quarry of dramatic proportions, with manmade cliffs 100ft high, which is home to some rare orchids in May and June, as well as a sanctuary for birds.