Seascale Tourist Information

The name, Seascale, derives from the Norse, “Skali”, or, “shelter by the sea”, and the visitor seeking peace and tranquility will find this and more in this clean well kept small coastal resort.

A good sized car-park is placed close to the sea front together with toilet facilities and a well stocked convenience store. The walk from Seascale along the sand dunes toward Sellafield with its variety of flora including violets and bluebells is a delight, and en-route you will be unlucky not to encounter the grey heron, curlew or stonechat. The area additionally supports the natterjack toad, and roe deer are not an uncommon sight.

Seascale was much favoured in the Victorian era by visitors from neighbouring counties who came to enjoy the clean air and relaxing atmosphere. In those days, the water supply was not complete, and the Round Tower, built overlooking the beach, served as a pumping station.

A little to the north of the town is Graycroft Stone Circle. It consists of 10 large stones of Borrowdale volcanic rock and possibly served as a Druid Circle. In the 19th C, a farmer, wishing to plough his field, buried the stones where they remained until recovered by a locally inspired project in 1949. Several bronze age artifacts were also found at the site at this time.

Seascale is a well positioned town from where the A595 is easily reached and so beyond to Ravenglass and its very popular railway, the County Capital Carlisle, the historic Whitehaven, the fine shopping centre, Barrow-in-Furness, the Furness Peninsula and the lakes and mountains of the Lake District and Cumbria. The accommodation in the town and surrounding area is sensibly priced and offers good value.

How to get there:

By rail: Seascale is on the Barrow to Carlisle West Coast Rail Link.
From the South, take the London to Scotland West Coast main line and change at Lancaster for Seascale.
From the North, change at Carlisle for Seascale.
Please note that Seascale is a 'Request Stop'!

By road: Take the A595 coastal road, and if approaching from the south, turn off at Holmrock along the B5343.
If approaching from the Whitehaven direction, take the B5343 a little way after Gosforth.

Attractions in Seascale

Seascale
Close to England’s deepest lake, highest mountain, smallest church and safe beaches qualify this small coastal town for family enjoyment. Conveniently positioned for access to the whole of the region. Nearest major tourist landmarks of Wastwater, Ennerdale Water, Wasdale Head, Great Gable, Scafell Pike.

Sellafield Centre
The world’s first commercial nuclear power station. The Sellafield Centre presents a unique educational experience for the whole family.
Sellafield, Seascale CA20 1PG
Phone: 019467 27027

Grey Croft Stone Circle
Situated next to Sellafield Power Station, the stone circle is visible from the nearby road
A circle of ten stones, some six feet tall, standing on the private land of Seascale How Farm. The stones were unearthed in 1949 by Mr Fletcher and boys of Pelham House School, Calderbridge after being buried by a farmer in 1820 to make way for ploughing. Other finds at the site included flints, stone axes and artifacts from the Bronze Age which are now on display in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

Walks
Seascale, standing on a section of the Cumbria Coastal Walk is also the starting point of many lesser known trails and leisurely local rambles. The Parish Council has published a booklet of village walks in and around Seascale. More testing routes are not too far away in the Lake District fells and Wainwrights Coast to Coast runs the length of the Ennerdale Valley.

Ennerdale Valley
Privacy and seclusion are the two main ingredients of this wild remote area with road access only as far as the small community of Ennerdale Bridge. An interesting structure to be found there on Cold Fell is Monks Bridge, the oldest packhorse bridge in Cumbria which was originally built for the use of the monks of Calder Abbey. A much photographed area.

Cycling
Routes galore over a variety of gradients. Why not try the 72 mile Cumbria Cycle Way or the 30 mile route around the waters of Buttermere, Coniston and Wastwater.

Muncaster Castle
Beautiful gardens and Owl Sanctuary. A real treat for the children. Full facilities on site.

Sport
Golf, wind surfing, water skiing, beach casting, horse riding.

 

Food and Drink in Seascale

Santon Bridge Pub
Venue of the annual Biggest Liar Competition held each November. This is a world famous event of huge entertainment value.

 

Transportation in Seascale